How to Protect Your Instruments This Hurricane Season

Owning a musical instrument is one of the most significant investments you can make. Depending on the material it is constructed from, the year it was manufactured, the previous owner's identity, and even its rarity, a musical instrument can end up being worth a lot of money. To help protect your investment, proper instrument protection and care are essential for any dedicated musician or collector. 

Ensuring that their musical instruments are safe and secure from the weather, and natural disasters, is a common concern amongst instrument owners worldwide. Hurricanes and storms are two of the most damagingand common events that can ruin your musical instruments. 

Thankfully, we've created this brief guide to help you stay protected. Read on as we cover everything you need to know about protecting your instrument during this hurricane season.

Tips toKeep Your Instruments Protected

While each musical instrument may require specific procedures and care, some tips can apply to all instruments – essential information that every musical instrument owner should keep in mind. To prolong your musical instrument's life and save on maintenance and repair costs, you should keep it clean and free of dust and debris, as well as storing it away from humidity, heat, and direct sunlight.

However, during hurricane season, you need to be even more alert as extreme weather conditions canirreversibly damage your musical instruments. Tropical storms and hurricanes can cause flooding and extensive damage to your property, and as a result, your musical instruments as well. The number one factor that can affect your instruments during a storm season is moisture, so you must do everything you can to protect them against it. 

So, the first thing you should do to protect your musical instrument during hurricane season is to make sure you store it in a protective hard case,and away from moisture,when you are not using it. Also, always ensure that you have closed and secured your case correctly. Be sure to periodically check your case for any gaps or holes where water can enter, and replace or repair your case as soon as you spot the slightest sign of damage.

Another thing that can save your musical instrument in the event of flooding caused by a hurricane is placing it somewhere elevated off the ground, like on a high shelf. You should also keep it away from places inside your home that could potentially leak during a storm. 

Since humidity can affect your instrument, it would be wise to invest in both a hygrometer and a dehumidifier. The hygrometer will measure the level of humidity in air, and the dehumidifier will help you adjust humidity inside your home when the level rises. 

Moreover, during a hurricane or storm, there is also the danger of heavy objects inside your home falling down or even entire sections of your home collapsing. As such, storing your musical instruments away from heavy items in your home is another good practice you should consider. 

Get Comprehensive Coverage

Unfortunately, sometimes even taking these precautions won't be enough to protect your instruments. Things can rapidly get out of hand during high-risk hurricane seasons, so the best thing you can do to make sure your musical instrument stays protected is by insuring your investment. Comprehensive and customizable coverage from Clarion Associates is here to protect you and your musical instruments from almost anything life can throw at you.

At Clarion, we offer you the protection you need, so that you can work on your music rather than worrying about your instrument. We have developed unique, customizable policies specifically designed for musical instrument owners, with features and benefits you won't find anywhere else, including comprehensive coverage against damages from extreme weather conditions and events.

Get Clarion Insurance

Regardless if you're an aspiring artist, a seasoned musician, or even an instrument collector, Clarion Associates has a solution for you. Our policies are designed to be as flexible as possible while still providing the protection you need to give you the peace of mind you deserve.

At Clarion Associates, we have over 50 years of insurance industry experience. We have spent the last quarter-century focusing our efforts on insuring musical instruments for thousands of musicians worldwide. Contact us for a quote today, and see for yourself why we've been endorsed and recognized by some of the world's leading musical associations thanks to our comprehensive, customizable coverage.

What Are The Costs And Benefits Of Getting Musical Instrument Insurance?

 

Getting musical instrument insurance may feel like an unnecessary luxury to some, but the reality is quite different. Musical instruments can cost a significant amount of money, and repairing them or replacing them can be rather costly as well.

As a musician, you probably consider your musical instrument to be one of your most prized possessions. You value the time and effort put into finding the perfect musical instrument, and you value the money you spent on it. The thought of it getting damaged or lost is a nightmare – especially if you depend on your musical instrument to earn a living.

No matter how careful you might be when it comes to your instrument's protection, life doesn't always go as planned. When things do go wrong, having musical instrument insurancecan help you get back to playing your music and further honing your craft much sooner. 

The Pros and the Cons of Getting Musical Instrument Insurance

Not everyone who owns musical instruments thinks they need to insure them. For example, if you own a violin or viola that primarily acts as a display piece rather than something you play, you may assume that musical instrument insurance is not needed. However, accidents can still occur inside your home, and those valuable or cherished instruments need to be protected.

For professional musicians who depend on their music to make a living, getting specialized insurance for their instruments is necessary. While proper instrument care is essential, it will not guarantee that your valuable musical instrument will last forever. Accidents, theft, and other things that can damage or destroy your precious instrument happen all the time, whether in the safety of your home or on the road. Repairing it or buying a new instrument out-of-pocket can be quite expensive, time-consuming, and stressful.

Musical instrument insurance will save you a lot of trouble and expense, as it offers coverage for both repairing and replacing your damaged, lost, or stolen instruments. If you are a collector of rare, expensive, or irreplaceable instruments, musical instrument insurance is essential for you. It will help cover both the cost of any repairs in case something goes wrong and any resulting depreciation in your instruments' value.

Why Get Clarion's Specialized Musical Instrument Insurance?

Getting musical instrument coverage as a part of your homeowners' insurance policy is an option for protecting your instruments, but it may not be the best one. In most cases, homeowners' insurance is inadequate, as it only covers damage from specific causes stipulated on your policy. These policies also typically only cover a small percentage of the insured instrument's value, meaning that your valuable instruments may receive insufficient protection, and having inadequate insurance is more or less like having none at all.

A specialized musical instrument insurance policy offers you the peace of mind you need, so you can focus on your music rather than worrying about the hassles of insurance. Clarion's specialized musical instrument insurance provides complete comprehensive coverage for all of your musical instruments and equipment. We have developed unique policies designed for owners of musical instruments and recording equipment. We have been serving musicians for more than 40 years, so you can rest assured that we understand your concerns and are committed to alleviating them.

We offer coverage for various factors, including professional usage, accidental breakage, and even earthquakes and floods. We also provide coverage for borrowed or replacement instruments, offer access to a nationwide dealer network, and even offer an option to keep any undamaged parts from your beloved musical instrument after repairs.

Conclusion

Taking good care of your musical instrument is essential if you want to prolong your instrument's life. Unfortunately, it won't necessarily mean that your instrument will last forever. The possibility of theft or loss is always present, and accidental damage can happen at any time.

While you can't predict accidents and other misfortunes, you certainly can be prepared. A good, trusted, specialized musical instrument insurance policy will save you a lot of money and time when things go wrong, and Clarion is here to provide it.

Our musical instrument insurance offers worldwide coverage and a wide range of unique features and benefits that have made us the number one choice for over 20,000 professionals, amateurs, collectors, symphonies, instrument sellers, and dealers. Contact us for a quote today, and find out for yourself why Clarion's musical instrument insurance is synonymous with instrument protection.

Who Needs Musical Instrument Insurance?

 

A high quality, finely crafted, or rare musical instrument can cost a significant amount of money. Depending on the materials used, the year it was made, the number of same instruments available, or even the previous owner's identity, a musical instrument can quickly become quite expensive. Given the amount of money and time one spends to find and purchase their ideal musical instrument, it's no wonder that musicians often form a special bond with them.

A musical instrument is undoubtedly a precious asset, for both professional and sentimental reasons. With this in mind, it's easy to understand why instrument protection and insurance is so important. Like with other valuable items, the owner of a musical instrument can get an insurance policy that will provide coverage in the event of damage, loss, or theft. So who needs musical instrument insurance? Let's find out in this brief article.

Who Is Musical Instrument Insurance Really For?

A musical instrument can be priceless and irreplaceable for many people. For a professional musician, a musical instrument is likely something they depend on to make a living. If their musical instrument were to get lost or damaged, they would have to repair, or replace it quicklybecause they won't be making any money while they are unable to perform.

The same thing goes regardless of whether you're an independent artist or even a member of a band or orchestra. Many professionals will also be traveling frequently with their instruments to perform in various venues around the world. Anything can happen on the road; you never know if your instrument will get tossed around while traveling, or get lost or stolen. Without your musical instrument, you won’t be able to performance.

Additionally, if you're a music teacher and something goes wrong with your instrument, there will be nothing for you to teachwith. If you're a music student and need your instrument to attend your courses, being left without it could be quite detrimental. Even if you're just a dedicated hobbyist, a damaged or stolen instrument can be a significant personal and economic loss.

Another group that would benefit from musical instrument insurance are collectors. Instrument collectors tend to own significantly expensive, rare, or even vintage instruments. Anything can happen in life, and it's best to be prepared. Should the unexpected occur, a good insurance policy will cover the cost of any repairs needed and help cover the cost of renting instruments in the meantime.

Whether you're a professional, an independent musician, a hobbyist, or even a collector, securing your artistic investment is imperative. If you own an instrument you can't afford to replace, or simply want to safeguard it, you should strongly consider protecting your investment with musical instrument insurance today.

Why Get a Specialized Musical Instrument Insurance Policy?

The benefits of specialized musical instrument insurance go far beyond those of an ordinary homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy. Household insurance will sometimes exclude musical instruments outright or offer coverage for specific named perils but only inside your home. Furthermore, it typically tends to cover only a percentage of the insured instrument's value, meaning it won't offer sufficient protection for rarer and more expensive instruments.

On the other hand, specialized musical instrument insurance is different. It offers protection from accidental damage, loss or theft for all kinds of musical instruments and other equipment, whether you're at home or on the road. Musical instrument insurance gives policyholders the peace-of-mind to focus on their art, rather than worrying about the world's what-ifs.

Conclusion

Accidents can happen anytime, and a specialized insurance policy that offers sufficient coverage for your musical instruments can be a lifesaver. We at Clarion have developed unique, customizable policies designed for musical instrument owners. We offer benefits you won't find anywhere else – including worldwide coverage to protect your instruments while you’re traveling with them and against natural disasters like earthquakes and floods. We also provide coverage for replacement or rented instruments, ensuring you're protected no matter what.

At Clarion Associates, we have over 40 years of experience insuring musical instruments for thousands of musicians worldwide. We offer access to one of the largest networks of authorized dealers and repairers in the industry. Not only that, but we understand your concerns and will settle your claims quickly and fairly. Reach out for a quote today, and see for yourself why Clarion is a trusted partner you can count on for your musical instruments' protection.

Why Is Musical Instrument Insurance Necessary?

As a musician, you've probably invested a considerable amount of money on your musical instrument – let alone the time you spent researching and finding the one that best suits your needs. You have also developed an emotional bond between you and your musical instrument over time. Given the deep feelings you may have for it, you naturally want to protect your instrument.

It doesn’t matter how careful you are, if you're playing your instruments, there will always be the possibility ofaccidental damage – or even worse, theft and loss. Insuring your musical instruments against the unexpected with musical instrument insurance is the best way to stay protected. Read on tolearn why.

Accidents Happen

Instruments can easily be damaged, even in the safety of your own home. Exposure to direct sunlight and heat is one of the most common factors that can cause varnish and joints to degrade. Moisture and temperature changes are additional factors that can significantly affect your instruments' quality and sound. Dust and dirt are other things to avoid if you want to protect your instrument and prolong its life. Damage from failure to store and maintain your musical instruments properly can be extremely expensive to fix, or be irreversible.

An easy way to safeguard your high-quality musical instrument is to always store it in a weatherproof case, away from sunlight, heat, moisture, dust, and dirt. Whenever you’re traveling with your instrument, always make sure you’re securely transporting and storing it to avoid any damage. However, even the proper precautions and instrument care may not always be enough to protect your instrument, because accidents can always happen.

Whether you're practicing at home, or performing on tour, all it takes is one freak accident, or mistake, to damage your instrument irreversibly. Natural disasters such as earthquakes, storms, or floods canalso damage your instrument and ruin your investment, not to mention the destruction caused by fires. Another unfortunate issue musicians may face is having their instruments stolen. The risks are too high not to protect yourself.

So if you prefer to focus on honing your craft rather than worrying about what could happen to your instruments, getting them insured is the best answer, and choosing the right musical instrument insurance is the key.

Homeowners Insurance May Not Be Enough

Household insurance policies often impose limits on the total property damage claim, or evenclaim limits per item. Some exclude musical instruments or offer per-item coverage that is lower than their actual cost. This means you would need to request a rider on your policy that would specifically provide coverage for your instruments, which often significantly increases the insurance premiums.

There are some additional pitfalls here as well. Homeowners insurance is usually not ‘all-risk’, meaning it will only cover damage from named perils such as theft or fire, but not necessarily natural disasters. It also may not cover professional use. Furthermore, homeowners' insurance policies will most likely not cover your musical instruments once they leave your home. Which for any professional or training musician is simply unacceptable?

The Benefits of Musical Instrument Insurance

When choosing insurance for your musical instruments, you should pay attention to the specific features and benefits each policy offers. An excellent specialized musical instrument insurance policy will cover professional usage, breakage, and even damage from natural disasters such as earthquakes or floods. It will also provide coverage for borrowed or rented instruments while yours are being repaired.

Clarion Associates proudly offers our clients all these coverages and more, as well as access to one of the nation's largest networks of authorized dealers. Our specialized musical instrument insurance offers a wide range of benefits that will allow you to focus on your art, rather than worrying about your instrument’s future. Clarion Associates is proudly here for you and your instruments.

Conclusion

Purchasing a musical instrument can be a significant investment, both personally and financially. This is true for anyone, but it's especially true for professional or training musicians who play valuable and delicate instruments. Unfortunately, even with proper care and maintenance, your instrument isn't guaranteed to be safe and protected. Accidents happen all the time – even at home. Thankfully, Clarion is here to help you when they do. 

Our specialized, and comprehensive, musical instrument insurance plans are trusted by thousands of musicians all over the world. Contact us today and speak to our team for a quote and find out why Clarion is the perfect solution for protecting your musical instruments.

 

Buying Viola Insurance - Some Critical Aspects to Take In Account

You simply cannot put a price tag on everything you have in life. Isn’t it? The same goes for your musical instruments. Yes, you shelled out a certain amount, a huge one, to be precise, to procure your viola. But you can’t define its importance in your life based just on how expensive it is. Can you? So, no matter if it is your first one or you have added another to your collection, your voila holds a very special place in your heart that is probably beyond any money. Right? 

However, your love, care, and daily cleaning rituals are not enough to protect your much-loved instrument(s). So, how do you ensure that your viola is well-protected against the possible yet unexpected scenarios? Well, the answer is - by purchasing a Viola Insurance you can ensure that your gear is safe and secure and your finances are in place.

Some aspects to count in when buying a policy

When it comes to buying an insurance policy, there are some crucial aspects that you need to consider. These will help you choose the right cover with no room for discrepancies in the future. So, let us take a quick look at the pointers given below - 

● Make sure to get your viola appraised before signing an insurance agreement. It will allow you to get the right extent of coverage. Most reputed musical instrument insurance providers agree with the same and ask their customers for music gear appraisal beforehand. It is for your good only. 

● Devaluation is another vital aspect when buying an instrument-specific insurance plan. Always remember, the condition of your gear is a critical determinant of its value. Most importantly, a slight crack or dent can reduce the value (overall) of your instrument to a great extent. Therefore, it is highly advisable to get your viola repaired before asking for an appraisal. 

● Your home insurance might not be the right choice for your musical instruments. There are a number of reasons behind the same. First of all, it will not provide a comprehensive cover. Secondly, it will not cover your gears outside your home. Thirdly, home insurance policies do not cover things that are used for commercial purposes. Fourthly, it will not provide worldwide cover to your gears. Do you need more reasons not to include your viola under your home insurance? So, go and buy a dedicated one right away.

Who is the right candidate for getting an insurance policy?

Everyone who owns a viola needs a separate Viola Insurance, regardless of his or her professional status - an amateur or professional. The reason - an insurance policy can cover a wide range of risks, including - fire, flood, hurricane, earthquake, rainfall, theft, and robbery, among others. Plus, you are likely to get worldwide coverage with a dedicated insurance policy for your viola.

Claim settlement is another critical side of insurance

With a reputed insurance provider, claim settlement is easy, especially if you have the right coverage. However, in order to make sure that you get what you deserve, you need to file the claim timely. So, if you damage or lose your instrument, it is important to get in touch with your insurance provider as soon as possible and tell them everything. It will ensure that you get the right compensation.

Do not overlook public liability cover

Accidents are sometimes inevitable. And, it can take a coarse turn if you are at fault and someone else is injured or his or her property has suffered any loss or damage. Such scenarios are known as public liabilities. However, if you have a comprehensive music instrument insurance policy, you are covered against public liabilities.

So, what are you waiting for? Find the best insurance company in your state and cover your viola under the most suitable insurance plan.

 

How to Protect Your Instruments from the Heat

Have you ever walked by an old wooden ship? If you have, you've probably noticed the planks can become quite crooked. This is, in part, because significant temperature changes can cause wood to shrink and expand. The same processes can damage the delicate structure of wooden musical instruments.

Temperatures above 100 degrees will cause the glue in string instruments to degrade. While it's unlikely to melt the glue completely, it's just enough for the tension in the strings to start damaging the neck. Brass instruments and pianos are not resistant to heat either. Metal can expand and shrink, and piano keys become "sluggish" if you expose them to extreme temperatures.

So what can you do to protect your instruments? In this article, we cover everything you should know about protecting your instruments from the heat.

Basic Musical Instrument Protection

First of all, don't leave your instruments in the car. It seems obvious, but your car is just about the last place you should ever leave an instrument. On a hot day, when the outside temperature rises anywhere near 80 degrees, the temperature inside your car quickly rises above 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Direct sunlight is another major problem, especially with string instruments like guitars. Extended exposure to the direct sun could damage the lacquer and loosen the strings, making them fall out of tune and weaken over time.

Guitar finishing is also susceptible to rapid temperature shifts. Of course, the same also applies to any other wooden musical instrument. A good basic rule of thumb is to keep your instruments in the same sort of conditions you would like to be in yourself - comfortable room temperature, and around 50% humidity. 

Storage Temperatures for Various Instruments

A vital part of instrument care is knowing proper storage methods and techniques. Regardless of what instrument you play, it is crucial to pay attention to both temperature and humidity at all times to help carefully preserve and protect your investment.

Be sure to store the instrument in its case whenever it's not in use. We recommend a wooden shelf in a temperature-controlled room for optimal storage. Also, be sure to only use quality hard-cases. Soft cases heat up faster and, more importantly, allow excessive transfer of heat and humidity to the instrument.

The proper room temperature and humidity varies from instrument to instrument. For example, guitars are optimally stored at between 72 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, with humidity levels between 45% and 55%.

Humidity below 40% will cause the wood to shrink, but anything above 55% may cause expansion or warping. A similar range applies to many other instruments, but it's crucial to research what your specific instrument needs. There is no such thing as a heatproof musical instrument, and different families of instruments react differently to various humidity levels.

Temperature and Moisture Control

It's impossible to appropriately protect against humidity when you don't know the current moisture level in your home. Thankfully, a humidity monitor is the easiest way to get a dynamic, accurate measurement. Prices range widely, but even moderately priced devices have a margin of error of only around +1/-1%.

Depending on whether you are living in an arid or humid area, you may need to consider a humidifier or a dehumidifier, respectively. Some advocate for cheaper solutions, such as humidifying a room by drying clothes there or leaving the bathroom door open while showering, but these methods should be avoided because these methods are a lot less effective and are not worth the risk.

Controlling general room temperature and keeping it in the desired range tends to be a bit easier. Generally, understanding the ideal range and setting the thermostat to match will keep the temperature where it needs to be. Depending on your climate, the time of year, and the insulation of your storage area, you may need to consider additional preventative measures. 

Get Full Protection

Ensuring your musical instruments are appropriately stored and maintained will help significantly extend their longevity, but there is more you can do to preserve them. Ensure you have everything you need to restore your musical instruments should the unexpected occur. Anyone can befall a massive mistake, or simply be the victim of terrible luck. Accidents happen whether we like it or not, and Clarion Associates is here to help you when they occur.

Contact us for a quote, and see why we're the trusted choice of musicians the world over. Our comprehensive insurance plans provide you peace of mind you need, so you can focus on honing your craft.

Buy a Music Equipment Insurance and Play Safe

You are a fabulous musician. Your creations are beautiful. You love your musical instruments to the moon and back and go extra miles to make sure that your musical instruments are spick and span all the time. However, even after taking so much care of your woodwinds and strings, if you fail to buy a Music Equipment Insurance for your instruments or musical paraphernalia, it will be of no good to you, your musical instruments, and of course, your finances. Most importantly, there are many facilities, like concert halls and auditoriums, that do not allow artists if they do not have proper insurance coverage. Besides, it is also a way of protecting your income.

Home insurance provides limited coverage!

Like many other people, if you think that your home insurance or renters’ insurance plan will come to your rescue, if your musical gears suffer loss or damage, you are more likely to be making a mistake. Here are some pointers worth reading -

Home insurance plans do cover your music gears (if you have included them). However, their extent of coverage might not be sufficient to cover the total replacement cost of the lost or damaged instrument. Musical instrument insurance policies cover unlimited professional use. Plus, a MusicEquipment Insurance will cover your gears for the exact price that you inform your insurance provider. Don’t you think that it is an added advantage?

Also, your home or renters’ insurance will not protect you if any public liability happens due to your instruments. However, a good insurance plan for musical equipment is most likely to cover the same. It is a big-time lifesaver.                                            

Being a music lover and an artist, you are very less likely to stop at one instrument or audio equipment. Right? If you happen to add new instruments to your home insurance policy, your insurance premiums are more likely to go up with every musical instrument. However, instrument-specific policies cover you without affecting your premiums, no matter whether you buy a single flute or an entire music recording studio. 

An experienced and reputed music instrument insurance provider understands the requirements of a musician, unlike homeowners’ insurance providers. Therefore, right from buying insurance to filing a claim, the process will be hassle-free.

Dedicated policies are all-encompassing!

Musical paraphernalia comprises many instruments, equipment, and related accessories. What will a music instrument insurance cover? Well, dedicated music insurance policies by reputed instrument providers are designed to cover a range of gears and accessories. It is likely to include the following -

●        Musical instruments

●        Audio equipment

●        Sheet music

●        Computers

●        Cases

●        Cables

●        Stands

●        Other accessories

Policies may vary from one service provider to the other. Therefore, it is highly advisable to confirm the same beforehand. However, with customer-centric insurance companies, you will get comprehensive coverage. Moreover, you can also customize your policy according to your needs. It helps you save time and money to a great extent.

Do you travel the globe with your musical instruments?

If your profession makes you travel a lot, you should always make sure to buy a policy that provides you with worldwide coverage. Most reliable insurance providers offer around the world coverage to your instruments. It protects your musical instruments financially if it is stolen, broken, damaged, or lost in some other state. Do remember to check this before buying any plan. Otherwise, you might land in trouble for not having proper insurance for your gears.

Choosing an insurance provider can make a difference!

Always remember, choosing an insurance company is as crucial as choosing the insurance plan. So, before deciding on any particular insurer, make sure to do proper research. It is one of the best ways to find a company that worths its salt.