Gear insurance / House insurance

ToneControl

I've been getting buildings/contents cover that includes gear for years - John Lewis


Just wondering how much gear insurance would cost separately for gear at-home (not really needed for travel, gigging etc)

Any advice please?

Haych

I have all my significant gear items, guitars, laptops and photo stuff, covered on the home insurance.  Each item is specifically stated with the replacement value.  I can't say it's increased premiums very much compare to what I would be spending on a specific policy with a specialist insurer.  Cover outside the home is included too.

We used to pay a separate policy for my wife's engagement ring (about the most expensive thing I ever bought other than the house) but we put that on the home insurance too and was significantly cheaper than a separate policy.

mo6020

I have a separate policy for music gear through the Musician's Union. My contents policy was being blown up with named items and it's worked out nicely having a different policy.

ToneControl

Haych said:

I have all my significant gear items, guitars, laptops and photo stuff, covered on the home insurance.  Each item is specifically stated with the replacement value.  I can't say it's increased premiums very much compare to what I would be spending on a specific policy with a specialist insurer.  Cover outside the home is included too.

We used to pay a separate policy for my wife's engagement ring (about the most expensive thing I ever bought other than the house) but we put that on the home insurance too and was significantly cheaper than a separate policy.

which company do you use?

ToneControl

mo6020 said:

I have a separate policy for music gear through the Musician's Union. My contents policy was being blown up with named items and it's worked out nicely having a different policy.

Yes, I wondered if it would be easier, but do you have to get paid for some gigs or something to be able to join?

Haych

ToneControl said:

Haych said:

I have all my significant gear items, guitars, laptops and photo stuff, covered on the home insurance.  Each item is specifically stated with the replacement value.  I can't say it's increased premiums very much compare to what I would be spending on a specific policy with a specialist insurer.  Cover outside the home is included too.

We used to pay a separate policy for my wife's engagement ring (about the most expensive thing I ever bought other than the house) but we put that on the home insurance too and was significantly cheaper than a separate policy.

which company do you use?

Hang on, I'll raid my inbox to find out........... Ageas.

mo6020

ToneControl said:

mo6020 said:

I have a separate policy for music gear through the Musician's Union. My contents policy was being blown up with named items and it's worked out nicely having a different policy.

Yes, I wondered if it would be easier, but do you have to get paid for some gigs or something to be able to join?

Not as far as I am aware... this is from the MU website.

Is membership of the MU for me?

Whether you are a full-time professional musician, occasional gig player, part-time music teacher, or anything in between – MU membership is for all musicians.

If you are a student, a disabled musician or a current member of a partner organisation, you may want to look into our other membership rates.

Do I have to be a full-time musician to be a member of the MU?

Musicians from all walks of life can join the MU, whether you are starting to pursue your career in music, occasionally playing music on streets or in pubs, or are employed as a musician. Most of our members combine various jobs and professions.

BillDL

mo6020 said:

I have a separate policy for music gear through the Musician's Union. My contents policy was being blown up with named items and it's worked out nicely having a different policy.

I'm curious about something rather than looking for separate insurance cover, given that none of my musical equipment is sufficiently valuable to warrant it.  When taking out the separate insurance cover for the musical gear were you asked whether the gear was stored somewhere that is already covered by contents insurance, and were you asked to provide a full list of the items you wanted to be covered?

ToneControl

mo6020 said:

ToneControl said:

mo6020 said:

I have a separate policy for music gear through the Musician's Union. My contents policy was being blown up with named items and it's worked out nicely having a different policy.

Yes, I wondered if it would be easier, but do you have to get paid for some gigs or something to be able to join?

Not as far as I am aware... this is from the MU website.

Is membership of the MU for me?

Whether you are a full-time professional musician, occasional gig player, part-time music teacher, or anything in between – MU membership is for all musicians.

If you are a student, a disabled musician or a current member of a partner organisation, you may want to look into our other membership rates.

Do I have to be a full-time musician to be a member of the MU?

Musicians from all walks of life can join the MU, whether you are starting to pursue your career in music, occasionally playing music on streets or in pubs, or are employed as a musician. Most of our members combine various jobs and professions.

looks like it's £21 a month to join

How much does extended cover cost?

mo6020

BillDL said:

mo6020 said:

I have a separate policy for music gear through the Musician's Union. My contents policy was being blown up with named items and it's worked out nicely having a different policy.

I'm curious about something rather than looking for separate insurance cover, given that none of my musical equipment is sufficiently valuable to warrant it.  When taking out the separate insurance cover for the musical gear were you asked whether the gear was stored somewhere that is already covered by contents insurance, and were you asked to provide a full list of the items you wanted to be covered?

Not about whether it was stored somewhere covered by contents, yes to full list of items. However, when I was shopping around prior to joining the MU some places didn't even want the full list of items just a total cost to be insured for.

fretmeister

I get mine from New Moon.

Covers all the usual plus theft from cars. Full new replacement value even on used items as long as you insure it for the new amount.

Price is based on value of stuff. You can do the quote online.

Allianz is the biggest but their prices went up a bit too much for me. Good company though - I have used their products at work and they pay out when needed. 

bertie

all mine are covered in and out of the house (tho I suspect that means "travel") , only items over £2k have to be itemised

Mrs Bert used Musicguard  for her proper gigging kit

mo6020

ToneControl said:

mo6020 said:

ToneControl said:

mo6020 said:

I have a separate policy for music gear through the Musician's Union. My contents policy was being blown up with named items and it's worked out nicely having a different policy.

Yes, I wondered if it would be easier, but do you have to get paid for some gigs or something to be able to join?

Not as far as I am aware... this is from the MU website.

Is membership of the MU for me?

Whether you are a full-time professional musician, occasional gig player, part-time music teacher, or anything in between – MU membership is for all musicians.

If you are a student, a disabled musician or a current member of a partner organisation, you may want to look into our other membership rates.

Do I have to be a full-time musician to be a member of the MU?

Musicians from all walks of life can join the MU, whether you are starting to pursue your career in music, occasionally playing music on streets or in pubs, or are employed as a musician. Most of our members combine various jobs and professions.

looks like it's £21 a month to join

How much does extended cover cost?

It obviously depends on how much the gear is worth, but mine was sufficiently cheaper than competing quotes and/or keeping things on my contents insurance to make it worthwhile.

If I wasn't taking vintage/expensive gear out of the house it might be less worthwhile, as always your mileage may vary.

HAL9000

Be aware that the moment you perform anywhere your house / contents insurance won’t cover your gear - irrespective of whether that performance is paid or not. 

My gear is insured with Allianz; they have a good rep and were cheaper than MU. Off the top of my head it’s about £80 per year for about £5000 worth of gear for UK only cover.

chris78

I've got mine with New Moon and it's separate from home. 

I don't want my home insurance premiums impacted if I needed to claim for gear. 

CHRISB50

Strangely I've never actually insured a guitar. But we have my daughter's flute insured via Allianz.

fretmeister

Many specialists like New Moon and Allianz will add public liability cover on for a few quid.

These days it would be mad to gig without it.

ToneControl

Allianz gave me what was probably a reasonable quote, However it was easier and probably a bit cheaper to stick with John Lewis