Guitar Insurance while gigging...

[Clarky]

AMI advise me that my guitars and gear are not insured while at paid gigs....

Does anybody here insure their guitars, and if so, who with please?

[angry_young_poet]

i was told the same thing. if they are used commercially, they will not be covered by home/contents insurance.

as for who might cover you.. no idea!

[Clarky]

i was told the same thing. if they are used commercially, they will not be covered by home/contents insurance.

as for who might cover you.. no idea!

Some help you are!

Now, go and record me some Rockit action.

[rocklander]

my other half works for Tower, so we get a steal on insurance.
the policy we have (don't ask me which one, cos she organises all that guff) allows for up to X amount of 'declared work tools'. my PA, guitars, Amps, the lot are included in that. I don't need to specify what I have (although I have pics uploaded to the web for insurance purposes) as long as the apt. dollar value is specified.

[Timi]

When I was living with my parents my gear was covered by their AMI contents insurance, until I left the house with it... I investigated gigging insurance but had no luck.

When I went flatting I got contents insurance from the National Bank (who operate through Tower). $450ish per year to insure $30,000 of stuff (most of that music gear) anywhere, including paid gigs.

[chrls]

Get in touch with the Musician's Union.

You have to become a member and membership fees all depend on how many hours a week you play music. For something like 10 hours a week (maybe 2 practises and a gig) you have to pay $10. I can't remember the figures exactly. And then you pay a percentage of the total value of your gear per year, something like 5%. All this will be explained if you explored this option any further

You're insured for gigs, but they only cover market value, not replacement value which doesn't help anyone out who has expensive gear.

The musicians union falls under the Service and Food Workers Union. (09) 3752680. Call that number and ask for the Musicians Union, I can't remember the name of the person who you deal with. They should be able to help you out!

[thehenderson]

I think that it is unusual to have insurance on your stuff, I've talked to a few international touring bands who don't do that. Stuff will always break/get broken by others/get stolen but it's all part of the experience. I think it's important to use stuff that you can repair, replace or don't mind if it gets a bit knocked around

A band that I'm vaugly friendly with an NZ band called the Ruby Suns. They did a big tour last year (or the year before?) all over the states with The Shins. At the end of their tour, their entire van caught fire (luckily no one was in it) and it along with all their equipment burned to the ground. It would have been good if they had insurance

[robnobcorncob]

I think that it is unusual to have insurance on your stuff, I've talked to a few international touring bands who don't do that. Stuff will always break/get broken by others/get stolen but it's all part of the experience. I think it's important to use stuff that you can repair, replace or don't mind if it gets a bit knocked around

A band that I'm vaugly friendly with an NZ band called the Ruby Suns. They did a big tour last year (or the year before?) all over the states with The Shins. At the end of their tour, their entire van caught fire (luckily no one was in it) and it along with all their equipment burned to the ground. It would have been good if they had insurance

I remember seeing a picture of the remains of said fire. Hopefully they could salvage something from that awesome half-singed Fender Jazzmaster

[thehenderson]

I think that it is unusual to have insurance on your stuff, I've talked to a few international touring bands who don't do that. Stuff will always break/get broken by others/get stolen but it's all part of the experience. I think it's important to use stuff that you can repair, replace or don't mind if it gets a bit knocked around

A band that I'm vaugly friendly with an NZ band called the Ruby Suns. They did a big tour last year (or the year before?) all over the states with The Shins. At the end of their tour, their entire van caught fire (luckily no one was in it) and it along with all their equipment burned to the ground. It would have been good if they had insurance

I remember seeing a picture of the remains of said fire. Hopefully they could salvage something from that awesome half-singed Fender Jazzmaster

I'd love to see that picture!

Oh well, must've been a sweet tour playing to 1000 strong crowds each night, regardless of gear loss

[rocklander]

I think that it is unusual to have insurance on your stuff, I've talked to a few international touring bands who don't do that. Stuff will always break/get broken by others/get stolen but it's all part of the experience.

I'm sorry, but I really can't get my head around that. it's not dissimilar from saying that crashing one's car is all part of the experience of being on the road, so don't get insurance for that either
I can't express how happy I am that I've had insurance for the crashes I have had, and nor can I express how gutted I would be if my kit was all stolen from my car or wherever and I had to 'write it off to experience'.

talking again to my partner; obviously AMI have clearly informed you [Clarky] that they wont insure your gear, but Tower do. I am sure that Tower is not the only co. that does insure work equipment, so shop around.
she does say that you should be totally up front with whoever you choose, cos if you are not they may well decline come claim time.

[thehenderson]

I think that it is unusual to have insurance on your stuff, I've talked to a few international touring bands who don't do that. Stuff will always break/get broken by others/get stolen but it's all part of the experience.

I'm sorry, but I really can't get my head around that. it's not dissimilar from saying that crashing one's car is all part of the experience of being on the road, so don't get insurance for that either
I can't express how happy I am that I've had insurance for the crashes I have had, and nor can I express how gutted I would be if my kit was all stolen from my car or wherever and I had to 'write it off to experience'.

I had the same reaction! It's just the cost is prohibitively high for most touring musicians I guess? I haven't looked into it extensively, but I will in a little while. These few people I've talked to have invested in proper flight cases and good quality equipment instead of traditional insurance I think

Personally I play regularly and have no insurance for my equipment. I do have good quality cases, I don't leave it in my car, and I don't leave it anywhere that's not secure or outside it's case when I'm not with it. I've never had anything happen to any of my stuff. The only thing I could imagine happening to my stuff is me stupidly dropping something

But I can totally understand why you would want insurance, and yeah I wouldn't drive without car insurance. I just feel so much more in control of my musical equipment than I do my car but of course someone could throw beer or water on your gear, or your van could burn down or you could get robbed? hmm

[rocklander]

I guess it is different if you're touring too.. if your gear is away from your place of residence (with respect to contents insurance) for more than 30 days that can void any claim too.. not such a problem for those casual giggers like myself who goes away for one night, two tops, but most times back before bed time heh.

[thehenderson]

I guess it is different if you're touring too.. if your gear is away from your place of residence (with respect to contents insurance) for more than 30 days that can void any claim too.. not such a problem for those casual giggers like myself who goes away for one night, two tops, but most times back before bed time heh.

Do those insurance policies cover being out of NZ? Cause you'd have a tough time filling up 30 days worth of touring in NZ!!

[rocklander]

that I don't know. my gut response would be 'no' but I've no idea why I feel that way.

[edit] just had this confirmed by my lady. NZ domestic policies only cover anything domestically (go figure ) so to insure overseas one either needs travel insurance or as zdali says below, get insurance in said country.
[/edit]

[zdali]

Info i got was that yes, you can insure gigging instruments anywhere in NZ but it's treated as commercial insurance and commercial rates apply. I've also been given a treshold of $20K for insurance. As it's not worth insuring unless you have more than $20K of equipment. Yes you can insure stuff overseas for short term (i've done it in the past with my laptop) but it's generally better to organise insurance in the destination country. It would probably be a good idea to talk to a reputable insurance broker... I've also heard stories* about denied claims on house and content policies even tho the equipment was explicitly noted...

YMMV

* The bloke at the pub told me...