By Laurie Niles: What happens if your violin gets damaged in an accident, or heaven forbid, stolen?![protect my violin]()
It's something that has been on my mind this week, with the story about the University of Wisconsin student's violin, which was stolen from a locked locker over Thanksgiving break.
Even with insurance, nothing can replace a valuable violin that has the voice you love. But if you have insurance (she did), at least you can seek another instrument that is somewhere close to the same price range. (Though if it has appreciated, you might have trouble claiming its value without an updated appraisal).
When I first bought my current violin, I realized that I would need insurance, and it felt like a pretty big deal, getting the appraisal and getting it all set up. But I'm very glad to have it.
Some people get insurance through their homeowner's or renter's insurance. I'm not sure if this works for every situation; for example, a musician who earns part of his or her living playing or teaching the violin may need another kind of policy. The same is true for a collector who has an instrument with extremely high value. For those situations, you may need designated instrument insurance.
What is your experience with insuring your instrument? Do you have insurance? Is it something you've been meaning to do, but just haven't done? If you have it, what company or policy do you use? Have you ever had to make a claim? Was your claim covered as expected? Please participate in the vote and then share any experience you have, insuring your instrument and using that insurance.
