Frequently Asked Questions

A typical specialist guitar insurance policy will cover replacement on a new for old basis in case of theft, loss or accidental damage. Vintage and rare guitars would be covered on a valuation basis. It is also common for specialist musician’s insurance policies to include hire of a replacement instrument (or amp etc) until a replacement has been purchased and public liability insurance. Public liability is very much recommended for gigging musicians, as if the worst happened and you accidentally caused injury to a member of the public then the cost of any damaged claim could be very high.

Look out for optional extras such as:

• International or worldwide cover
• Personal accident cover
• Breakdown cover
• Vehicle cover

Whether or not you need these options in your guitar insurance policy depends very much upon your personal circumstances. Like all insurance, is a matter of balancing the cost of cover against the risk – there is no universal “best answer” and what suits a gigging blues guitarist will not be the same as a solo classical guitar player who specialises in session work in the studio.

A typical specialist guitar insurance policy will cover replacement on a new for old basis in case of theft, loss or accidental damage. Vintage and rare guitars would be covered on a valuation basis. It is also common for specialist musician’s insurance policies to include hire of a replacement instrument (or amp etc) until a replacement has been purchased and public liability insurance. Public liability is very much recommended for gigging musicians, as if the worst happened and you accidentally caused injury to a member of the public then the cost of any damaged claim could be very high.

Look out for optional extras such as:

• International or worldwide cover
• Personal accident cover
• Breakdown cover
• Vehicle cover

Whether or not you need these options in your guitar insurance policy depends very much upon your personal circumstances. Like all insurance, is a matter of balancing the cost of cover against the risk – there is no universal “best answer” and what suits a gigging blues guitarist will not be the same as a solo classical guitar player who specialises in session work in the studio.

If your guitar has been stolen you must act quickly. It is important that you inform the police as soon as you know that your guitar is missing. Even if you think that there is little of no chance of the police recovering your guitar you must report the theft to the police at the earliest opportunity - failure to do so could affect your insurance claim. The Police will give you a crime reference number, which you will need to quote when you make your claim - this is important, even if the Police did not attend the scene of the crime.

You will need to complete an insurance claim form. Claim forms can often be downloaded from your guitar insurer's website, although some insurers prefer you to telephone them first. Again, the sooner the better - you should always report the theft (and your intention to claim) as soon as practicable after you have discovered the theft of your guitar or other musical equipment.

Claim forms vary somewhat between insurers, but typically contain requests for:

• Purchase receipt for equipment or other evidence of purchase
• Details of previous insurers and previous claims/ incidents
• Details of household or car insurers
• Details of the incident, Police Crime Report and any witnesses
• Proof of your ID (e.g. passport, driving licence, utility bill, bank statement

Try to provide all information requested and if for any reason you cannot provide anything explain in as much detail as possible why this is. The more complete the information is that yoiu provide to your insurer, the easier it will be for the insurance agent to complete your claim quickly and without prolonged correspondence.

All home contents insurance policies are different, so it is important that you check the details of your own specific policy. However, generally most contents insurance policies will include some cover your your guitar. Typical cover will include theft, loss in fire and similar general risks. However, accidental damage, damage by a pet or damage caused while you are repairing or adjusting your guitar are unlikely to be covered. Most policies will also have a "single item value" limit, so if you have a particular guitar worth a significant amount (say over $1,000 or £1,000) then you must make specific provision or you may find that you are not covered even in the most clear-cut cases.

Guitar insurance and other musical instrument insurance is a competitive business and there are lots of different levels of cover and options. It is no surprise, therefore, that there is no easy answer to the question of what it costs to insure a guitar. However, here are some “typical” UK prices, to give some idea of level of premiums in different circumstances:

Guitar insurance with £1,000 cover

This example gives cover against theft, loss and accidental damage with no excess and includes £1 million Public Liability insurance.

Single location only - home or studio
Premium £36 per year

Including travel in UK only
Premium £52 per year

Including travel worldwide
Premium £77 per year

For around £10 per year you can add breakdown cover and another £5-£10 for in-vehicle transportation.

Guitar insurance with £10,000 cover

This example gives cover against theft, loss and accidental damage with no excess and includes £1 million Public Liability insurance.

£10,000 cover, single location only - home or studio
Premium £185 per year

£10,000 cover, including travel in UK only
Premium £287 per year

£10,000 cover, including travel worldwide
Premium £469 per year

Please note the above are indicative prices only, based upon a UK insurer at March 2011

A typical specialist guitar insurance policy will cover replacement on a new for old basis in case of theft, loss or accidental damage. Vintage and rare guitars would be covered on a valuation basis. It is also common for specialist musician’s insurance policies to include hire of a replacement instrument (or amp etc) until a replacement has been purchased and public liability insurance. Public liability is very much recommended for gigging musicians, as if the worst happened and you accidentally caused injury to a member of the public then the cost of any damaged claim could be very high.

Look out for optional extras such as:

• International or worldwide cover
• Personal accident cover
• Breakdown cover
• Vehicle cover

Whether or not you need these options in your guitar insurance policy depends very much upon your personal circumstances. Like all insurance, is a matter of balancing the cost of cover against the risk – there is no universal “best answer” and what suits a gigging blues guitarist will not be the same as a solo classical guitar player who specialises in session work in the studio.

All home contents insurance policies are different, so it is important that you check the details of your own specific policy. However, generally most contents insurance policies will include some cover your your guitar. Typical cover will include theft, loss in fire and similar general risks. However, accidental damage, damage by a pet or damage caused while you are repairing or adjusting your guitar are unlikely to be covered. Most policies will also have a "single item value" limit, so if you have a particular guitar worth a significant amount (say over $1,000 or £1,000) then you must make specific provision or you may find that you are not covered even in the most clear-cut cases.

A typical specialist guitar insurance policy will cover replacement on a new for old basis in case of theft, loss or accidental damage. Vintage and rare guitars would be covered on a valuation basis. It is also common for specialist musician’s insurance policies to include hire of a replacement instrument (or amp etc) until a replacement has been purchased and public liability insurance. Public liability is very much recommended for gigging musicians, as if the worst happened and you accidentally caused injury to a member of the public then the cost of any damaged claim could be very high.

Look out for optional extras such as:

• International or worldwide cover
• Personal accident cover
• Breakdown cover
• Vehicle cover

Whether or not you need these options in your guitar insurance policy depends very much upon your personal circumstances. Like all insurance, is a matter of balancing the cost of cover against the risk – there is no universal “best answer” and what suits a gigging blues guitarist will not be the same as a solo classical guitar player who specialises in session work in the studio.

All home contents insurance policies are different, so it is important that you check the details of your own specific policy. However, generally most contents insurance policies will include some cover your your guitar. Typical cover will include theft, loss in fire and similar general risks. However, accidental damage, damage by a pet or damage caused while you are repairing or adjusting your guitar are unlikely to be covered. Most policies will also have a "single item value" limit, so if you have a particular guitar worth a significant amount (say over $1,000 or £1,000) then you must make specific provision or you may find that you are not covered even in the most clear-cut cases.

A typical specialist guitar insurance policy will cover replacement on a new for old basis in case of theft, loss or accidental damage. Vintage and rare guitars would be covered on a valuation basis. It is also common for specialist musician’s insurance policies to include hire of a replacement instrument (or amp etc) until a replacement has been purchased and public liability insurance. Public liability is very much recommended for gigging musicians, as if the worst happened and you accidentally caused injury to a member of the public then the cost of any damaged claim could be very high.

Look out for optional extras such as:

• International or worldwide cover
• Personal accident cover
• Breakdown cover
• Vehicle cover

Whether or not you need these options in your guitar insurance policy depends very much upon your personal circumstances. Like all insurance, is a matter of balancing the cost of cover against the risk – there is no universal “best answer” and what suits a gigging blues guitarist will not be the same as a solo classical guitar player who specialises in session work in the studio.

If your guitar has been stolen you must act quickly. It is important that you inform the police as soon as you know that your guitar is missing. Even if you think that there is little of no chance of the police recovering your guitar you must report the theft to the police at the earliest opportunity - failure to do so could affect your insurance claim. The Police will give you a crime reference number, which you will need to quote when you make your claim - this is important, even if the Police did not attend the scene of the crime.

You will need to complete an insurance claim form. Claim forms can often be downloaded from your guitar insurer's website, although some insurers prefer you to telephone them first. Again, the sooner the better - you should always report the theft (and your intention to claim) as soon as practicable after you have discovered the theft of your guitar or other musical equipment.

Claim forms vary somewhat between insurers, but typically contain requests for:

• Purchase receipt for equipment or other evidence of purchase
• Details of previous insurers and previous claims/ incidents
• Details of household or car insurers
• Details of the incident, Police Crime Report and any witnesses
• Proof of your ID (e.g. passport, driving licence, utility bill, bank statement

Try to provide all information requested and if for any reason you cannot provide anything explain in as much detail as possible why this is. The more complete the information is that yoiu provide to your insurer, the easier it will be for the insurance agent to complete your claim quickly and without prolonged correspondence.

A typical specialist guitar insurance policy will cover replacement on a new for old basis in case of theft, loss or accidental damage. Vintage and rare guitars would be covered on a valuation basis. It is also common for specialist musician’s insurance policies to include hire of a replacement instrument (or amp etc) until a replacement has been purchased and public liability insurance. Public liability is very much recommended for gigging musicians, as if the worst happened and you accidentally caused injury to a member of the public then the cost of any damaged claim could be very high.

Look out for optional extras such as:

• International or worldwide cover
• Personal accident cover
• Breakdown cover
• Vehicle cover

Whether or not you need these options in your guitar insurance policy depends very much upon your personal circumstances. Like all insurance, is a matter of balancing the cost of cover against the risk – there is no universal “best answer” and what suits a gigging blues guitarist will not be the same as a solo classical guitar player who specialises in session work in the studio.