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Monday, 13 July 2020

Know the Importance of Music Studio Insurance



It’s no secret that new music will always stay in demand even when the entire world is dealing with a critical pandemic like COVID-19. Thanks to the continuous efforts of music composers, people across the globe have been able to enjoy fresh music while staying inside their houses.

To ensure safety and provide new music to the masses, many music composers have set up home studios that allow them to put their creative ideas into action anytime they want. In saying that, however, setting up a home studio costs a lot of money and like any other business, it is always vulnerable to different types of risks.

This is one of the major reasons why every music composer should purchase music studio insurance. It doesn’t matter if you’re a hobbyist composer or produce music professionally, insurance will cover the cost of your expensive equipment should it get damaged in any disaster.

To help you understand more effectively, we’ve shared a comprehensive insight into the importance of purchasing an insurance plan for your music studio, especially if you’ve recently set up a home studio.

What is a Music Studio Insurance and What Does It Cover?

Like any other insurance policy, music studio insurance is also a business policy that’s designed to protect music studio owners against property or asset loss. The insurance will cover every asset in your studio and help you file monetary claims in case they get damaged or stolen. It means that buying studio insurance can prevent you from bankruptcy as well.

Even though these types of insurance policies are tailored to meet the specific needs of the studio owners, they always provide two basic Coverages, i.e., liability coverage and property & asset coverage.

Music Studio Insurance for Liability Coverage

Liability coverage can benefit a music studio in many cases. For instance, if you’ve been charged with a wrong lawsuit, liability coverage will cover the lawyer’s fee and protect you from the unexpected financial burden. Apart from wrongly filed lawsuits, liability coverage will also protect you in several other situations.

Here are a few of the liability coverage options you might consider while choosing an insurance plan for your music studio.

  1. General Liability Insurance - The general liability insurance will provide accidental damage coverage. For instance, someone has been injured or an instrument has been damaged and you’re liable for the loss.

  1. Operational Insurance - This liability insurance will provide coverage to legal matters, mainly when someone has filed a lawsuit. This usually happens when you’ve recorded a track for a customer and he claims that it caused him a potential business loss.

  1. Liability Insurance for Rental Properties - This type of liability insurance is suitable for people who run their music studios in a rented space. This insurance plan will provide coverage to any repair/replacement costs in case of property damage.

  1. Liability Insurance for Worker’s Compensation - As per the law, if any employee gets injured inside the studio, you’ll be liable to pay for his treatment. Since medical bills can be highly expensive, it is better to choose a workers compensation insurance plan and use it to cover any medical expenses.

Music Studio Insurance for Property & Asset Coverage

In addition to liability coverage, music studio insurance will also provide property & asset coverage. As we mentioned earlier, setting up a music studio requires a huge investment, which means it would be quite expensive to get an instrument repaired/replaced in the case of damage/theft. Fortunately, if you’ve bought an insurance plan for your music studio, it’ll cover the entire cost, protecting you from a financial strike.

Conclusion

We hope that the above guide helped you understand the significance of buying an insurance plan for your music studio. Whether you run a home studio or rent a space to record songs, it’ll be better to invest in the right studio insurance plan so that you don’t have to face any unexpected financial situation.

Sunday, 5 July 2020

Know the Difference between Instruments Insurance Appraisals and Valuations


instruments that exhibit magnificent craftsmanship and work for art, gain significance and value over a period of time. Propelled and positively-instigated by enthusiasm and love for music, many musicians, musical instrument collectors, and music aficionados are in a constant quest for musical gears that belong to or are designed by famous names in the universe of music.

Therefore, woodwinds, strings, keyboards, and other musical equipment that once belonged to prominent characters from the pages of history, never grow old or lose significance. Their values happen to increase instead.



Are you a music instrument appraiser?

If you are a music instrument appraiser, no one knows the importance of music instrument appraisal other than you. Moreover, appraising any musical instrument, whether it's a violin, guitar, piccolo, clarinet, or piano, or anything else, is not a child's play either, as there are many aspects associated. Therefore, Insurance for Appraisers is something you should not take for granted. No one should forget, at the end of the day, music instrument appraisers are also human beings, and mistakes do happen.

Musical instrument insurance appraisals VS valuations!

If you are a musical instrument owner, music instrument collector, or music shop owner, or music teacher, the concept of appraisal and valuations should be clear to you, or else, there might arise a lot of confusion in the future. Many people still have a dilemma when it comes to differentiating between musical instruments insurance appraisals and valuations. Here is how you can differentiate both.

Agreed Value

When you insure musical instruments, your insurance service provider will either assess it at the Agreed Value of the gears or Actual Cash Value of the same.

If your insurer accepts the instruments' appraisal, they will cover all the items under the Agreed Value Condition. So, what is the benefit of this clause/condition? This clause will allow you to get the full amount from your insurance company in case of a covered loss. And, the best part - your insurance provider is very unlikely to raise any question at the value of your musical instrument after an event of a loss.

Actual Cash Value

It is one of the most common valuation procedures for musical instruments. In case, for whatever relevant reason, if -

        You are not able to produce an appraisal certificate, or
        It is not possible to get an appraisal certificate at the time of issuance of insurance policy

Then, your insurance provider is more likely to cover your instruments under the Actual Cash Value condition. Now, what is that? When you don’t have an appraisal, you need to indicate the value of the items you intend to insure to your insurance service provider.

It means you have to declare the value of your instruments in the market to the best of your knowledge. Also, the amount of compensation you are ready to accept against an event of a loss should be declared.

Remember, you cannot put any market value just like that. The market values should be such that they should be within the range of reasonable market value. So, during claim settlement, your insurance provider will ask you to support the declared values at the time of policy issuance, or they will proceed with the process of valuation directly.

So, it is the main difference between instruments insurance Appraisals & Valuations in a nutshell.

Possible troubles that would bother an appraiser!

Now, let’s go back to musical instrument appraisers. As far as the situations that could go wrong when you are in this profession are concerned, there could be many.

For example - a client has kept his/her piccolo or guitar at your office to get the appraisal done. What if the gear gets damaged or someone steals it? Or, the appraisal did by you was not up to the mark and landed the client into rough waters. It would be you who would be held responsible for the loss of the client. That said, you will have to bear the financial expenses, as well.

A dedicated Insurance for Appraisers will come into play during such financially and mentally tormenting situations. So, before it’s too late, get in touch with a trustworthy insurance provider and insure yourself.

Wednesday, 1 July 2020

The Reasons Why Music Shop Owners Should Buy Music Dealer Insurance


So, you play musical instruments and also own some. Do you have enough insurance cover for your musical instruments? Every instrument owner and musician should make sure his/her gears are insured. Wait! Not only musicians and musical instrument owners but musical dealers and retailers also need the appropriate coverage to protect their businesses from unforeseen perils.




An Insurance Policy is more like a Sigh of Relief from Financial Issues

Buying extensive coverage from a reliable and customer-centric Music Dealer Insurance company is crucial for music shops for ruling out the adverse effects of mishaps that happen when due to the stroke of bad luck.

The Reasons Why Standalone Insurance Policies Are Worth the Investment

Whether you are a musician, a music retail shop owner, or simply a music enthusiast, if you own or have rented a musical instrument(s), it could be anything, right from the string, keyboard, woodwind, or any other sort, insuring the same is very important. Here are some reasons to support the above-mentioned statement. Let’s have a quick look at the pointers given below -

If you own a music instrument retail outlet or shop and it is the only source of your livelihood, you must have sufficient protection for it. As music stores are no different from any other business, these also have their fair share of challenges and perils.

It goes without saying that music shops have a host of expensive musical instruments, accessories, and related paraphernalia in there. All of these things are constantly at risk owing to shoplifters, thieves, and miscreants.

Plus, you cannot rule out the risks associated with natural disasters, like rain, thunderstorm, flood, and of course, accidental fire, which could happen at any point in time.

Another crucial scenario is risks associated with third-party liabilities. Things can get even worse if any loss or damage occurs to someone else's musical instruments kept with you for various purposes, including - servicing, repair, or maintenance.

Also, any musical product dispatched from your showroom might reach the desired destination in a bad/damaged shape, thus incurring extra costs to you.

However, all these perilous situations could be taken care of without any hassle, if you have the protective shield of a standalone musical instrument insurance policy.

To be precise, the right Music Dealer Insurance plan will share your financial liabilities and provide you with financial backup (related to your musical commodities), as and when needed.

The Types of Insurance Covers for Music Dealers

When it comes to buying an insurance plan, music dealers should go for custom-tailored policies, which are capable of covering all the crucial aspects of their business. Here are some of the best insurance coverage options that businesses delving into music should have. Here we go -

Business property insurance
Musical instrument insurance
Third-party liability insurance
Crime insurance
Workmans’ compensation cover

All these insurance segments cover different aspects of a business. Therefore, you should assess your requirements and the scenarios that could go wrong, and then ask your insurance provider to tailor a plan for you.

For example - your music shop is small, and you love doing things on your own. So, you don’t have any employees. In this case, taking Workmans’ compensation cover will not make any sense, and therefore, you can easily minus the same from the list of cover you want. It will save you a significant amount on your policy and its premiums.

Choose Insurance Company with a Decent Market-Serving Expertise

Always remember, choosing the right and client-oriented insurance service provider is as crucial as choosing the right policy. Therefore, before selecting any insurance company, make sure to do a good amount of homework. And, choose a company that has knowledgeable staff and has sufficient market-service experience.


Wednesday, 24 June 2020

An Insight of Insurance for Retailers before Starting Your Music Store

Are you an avid music lover who cannot stay away from songs, chords, harmony, rhythm, beats, and everything musical? Are you planning to open a music store? Well, it is a smart choice for a music enthusiast like you, indeed. However, getting started with a new business can be daunting in the first place, and the same applies to a music store. So, if you want to set your music or musical instrument store, you should plan it properly. Here we have some easy steps that will help you start your music retail shop while having all the necessary documents and permissions.

Select a business structure!

The first thing you need to decide when you’re planning to open a music shop is - the type of small business structure you prefer to be known as, like a partnership, sole proprietorships, LLC (Limited Liability Company), to mention some.

Get a license and other crucial documents!

Music shop owners hardly need to worry about getting a lot of licenses and permissions. All you need are the basic ones. Another document that you cannot and should not do without is Insurance for Retailers. It provides you with all-around protection, including property and public liability insurance.

Find a business-worthy location!

Finding a good location is essential for every business because it decides how things will turn. For example - it is intelligent to open a music store near a music school, an auditorium, or a location where musicians and young talents gather a lot. If you choose the right spot for your music store, it will bring your business. 


Your staff matters a lot!

It is cool if you know a lot about music. However, you need to make sure that your team is knowledgeable too. You are less likely to be present at the store for managing operations and entertaining the customers all the time. So, choose suitable and passionate employees who would be able to sell.

So, these are some of the many crucial pointers that you should keep in your mind when setting up a music store. Now, let’s take a look into something more crucial. And, it is getting Insurance for Retailers.

What is the Retailers’ Insurance?

As the name suggests, a retailers’ insurance is specialized protection to cover the needs of retail businesses. With a customer-oriented service provider, this cover comes with the following -

●    Property insurance - This cover includes the shop, instruments, fixtures, and anything associated with the property.

●    Product insurance - Product protection cover protects the shop owner from the financial consequences of instrument/product damage and mishaps as a result of unforeseen calamities.

●    Crime protection - When you have sufficient crime protection, you are financially safe from the after-effects of theft, loss, or damage caused as a result of criminal activities.

●    Lost income cover - If any unfortunate event(s) restricts your income flow for a certain period of time, lost income cover will have your back covered.

Choosing the right insurance policy for retailers!

As there are so many insurance policies and insurance providers available in the market, it is highly advisable to choose both after getting things clear in your head. And, for this, you need to do the following things -

●    Understand and assess your unique needs from an insurance policy. When you understand your needs, it becomes easy for you to decide on any particular plan.
●    Learn about insurance policies, terms, and conditions, inclusions and exclusions, limitations, etc.
●    Do your research and consider multiple options.
●    Choose an insurance provider only if it has all the necessary licenses, certificates, and accolades.
●    Always remember, it’s not the name of the insurance company you will be working with. So, choose a service provider that has an efficient team to help you with your queries and of course, claim settlement.
●    As far as insurance premiums are concerned, always make sure to choose an insurance policy with premiums that you will be able to pay without hampering your financial flow and planning.

Hopefully, now it has become clearer to you why you need an insurance policy for your music shop and how to choose the best. Stay safe. Stay protected.

Thursday, 18 June 2020

Benefits of String Instrument Insurance and Its Coverage

Insurance has become a part and parcel of the lives of humankind. It keeps the most expensive items protected from all odds. Right from getting your property insured to car insurance and musical instrument insurance must be done without neglecting as it gives amazing coverage as well as complete peace of mind. This article will discuss how you can protect your string instrument by getting it insured. Here is what you need to do. Let’s take a look.

When you own a string instrument, you must responsible enough to take good care of it. The instrument requires appropriate maintenance and continuous care for playing it perfectly. In addition to customary cleaning, you need to change the strings of your instrument as all these will keep the instrument in perfect shape giving complete protection to your expensive investment. 


It is equally important to have String Instrument Insurance particularly when you give it on rent or own an advanced version which is highly expensive. There is no other better option of protecting the instrument other than getting it insured as an accident is unpredictable. When any such unfortunate incident happens, the very first thing that comes to the mind of the owner is the high replacement cost. When you have insurance, it gives you complete coverage.  There are several insurance companies offering insurance for string instruments. Make sure to choose the insurance provider that specializes in string instruments.

Benefits and features

Purchasing String Instrument Insurance from an insurance provider who specializes in it enables the instrument owner to keep their instrument protected. Most of the insurance policies include replacement and repair coverage that includes the following:

a.    Instruments made of string that are broken accidentally
b.    Damage from flood and earthquake
c.    Professional handling risk- accidents that happen during performance or transit
d.    Replacement cost guaranteed- the amount that you pay to insure your instrument is the amount that you collect when you have a claim.
e.    Gives complete coverage to all the accessories

There are many plans to choose for your string instrument but the plan must be chosen rationally keeping in mind your need and the plan that will suit you the most. People owning musical instruments are very much attached to their instrument and out of sentiment keen on retaining undamaged parts. When you have instrument insurance, you can do it with ease.

How to find the best?

There are several dedicated insurance providers ready to offer string instrument insurance to the clientele. Having so many options, it might become difficult for an individual to choose the right insurance for your string instrument. To find the best, all you need to do is to do an extensive survey. The survey will help you to know the insurance provider in the best possible manner. Other than the survey, you can rely on the customers' reviews to know which insurance provider is the best in the market.  To know about the best insurance provider, you can make use of third party recommendations. The insurance can be done online as well if you are unable to visit the insurance agent in person.

The Bottomline

So no more delay in getting the insurance done for your highly expensive string instrument. The best insurance provider is only a call or a click away. You must begin your hunt for the popular insurance provider before you make the investment in buying the string instrument. The instrument, to be precise, your investment must be protected from the very first day. When you have the insurance, it means you are 100% assured that the replacement or repair cost of your precious instrument will not come out of your pocket. The insurance company will bear the entire cost on your behalf.

Musical instruments and insurance go hand in hand.  The insurance is a shield for your musical instrument. Get it done at the earliest.

Tuesday, 9 June 2020

Brass Musical Instrument Insurance and Maintenance are Two Pillars for Your Gear!

Brass musical instruments are delicate and prone to damage due to wear and tear and many other factors. Moreover, regular visits to musical instrument repair and maintenance workshops can be big on your pocket. So, if you don’t want to indulge in unnecessary expenses, you need to take care of them properly. Regular maintenance will not only keep your instrument spic and span, but also keep your trombone, flute, trumpet, or any other instrument made up of brass, in good working condition.



Maintenance and Insurance Go Hand In Hand

Besides repair and maintenance, you also need all-encompassing protection for your musical instrument, which only suitable musical instrument insurance can provide. Going through this blog will help you get some useful tips about Brass Musical Insurance and maintenance of your metallic (brass) musical gears. Let’s read on!

Tips to take care of your brass instrument!

        Many people think that if their musical instruments are crafted out of brass or any other metal, the latter will need little or no maintenance. On the contrary, brass musical instruments can quickly get structurally damaged if you don't take proper care of them. One of the most crucial things to consider here is - get your gear a decent and sturdy case where it can rest safely when not in use.

        Make sure to clean the mouthpiece of your musical instruments with a mild liquid soap with the help of a mouthpiece brush. Avoid using detergents as it can put scratch marks on the body of your gear. You can do this cleaning thing once in 7 days. Also, cleaning the entire instrument once in a month is a good idea.

        If you think that your musical instrument needs a deep cleaning, you should definitely take it to a professional because they are experts and can provide you with the best possible servicing. Don’t forget that whether you own a trumpet, a flute, or any other instrument made up of brass, instrument-specific cleaning is crucial. And, to make sure that your gear is well-maintained seeking professional help is imperative.

        Always remember, proper care will extend the longevity and performance of your musical gear. So, do not brush it under the carpet and go for it, as and when needed.

Now, let’s delve a bit deeper into the insurance part of musical instruments!

Specified musical instrument insurance makes sense!

        Musical instrument insurance is like a protective shield for your gears. It protects your instruments from the situations and accidents that can happen to cause loss or damage them.  It includes - flood, fire, earthquake, other elements of nature, man-made scenarios, like theft, misplacement, damage, etc. However, not all insurance policies are the same. Therefore, you should know your requirements from a plan and then look for the right option for you.

        Musical instruments owners who think that their homeowner’s or renters insurance plan is just okay for them should reconsider this fact. Yes, homeowner’s or renters insurance plans do provide some degree of protection to musical instruments, provided the names, makes, and models of the instruments are listed properly. However, the extent of coverage is somewhat limited. In order to make sure that your instruments and your finances are well protected, only a standalone insurance plan makes the ideal choice.

     As there are many insurance providers in the market, you should do your part of the homework before choosing a plan and an insurance company. If you skip the research part, you might end up choosing a plan that doesn’t worth its salt. So, gather multiple contacts, research about the extent of coverage they offer, their accreditations, certifications, and license, and then choose the one you find the most suitable.

        Looking for the insurance premiums should be one of your major concerns when you’re planning to buy an insurance policy for your musical instruments. You should choose an amount that would be easy for you to repay without struggling with your finances.

These are some of the most crucial aspects related with maintaining and getting a Brass Musical Insurance policy for your beloved musical instruments. Don’t forget to keep these in mind.

Tuesday, 2 June 2020

Piano Insurance - The Reasons Why You Need It!

Every time you play the piano, you experience bliss. You know it comes from within. Connoisseurs of music and harmony are emotionally attached to their musical instruments. Every chord they strike comes straight from the bottom of their hearts. If you are an expert musician or just an apprentice, it hardly matters when music is your love. And, when you are in love with music, it means a world to you, and the instruments become integral to your musical cosmos.



Is your musical cosmos safe from the intruders?

So, are the components of your harmonious universe well-protected from the unforeseen and unexpected? Yes, you're right. Do you have a dedicated Piano Insurance? It's a shield that protects your little universe from the intruders, which can land you in rough waters.

Some worst-case scenarios that could tear your savings apart include the following -

        Suppose you are relocating to your new home. And, you hired moving services to help you with moving and packing. While doing so, the movers smashed your beloved piano, your best friend, into bits. And, the aftermath - damaged frame, broken case, devastated you like nothing else, not only emotionally, but financially, as well.
        A fire accident led by an electrical fault at your recording studio, in which, not only your piano but the entire paraphernalia was nothing but ashes. A lot of financial damage! Isn't it?
        How can you forget natural calamities like rain, flood, hailstorm, snow, earthquake? These are some of the main reasons behind loss and damage to musical gears.
        Ruffians vandalized your home or recording studio, which also damaged your musical gears beyond repair. Furthermore, the cases of musical instrument thefts and frauds are also increasing. Such situations are not only heart-wrecking but also financially draining.

These are some of the many things that could go wrong with your musical instruments. And, only standalone musical instrument insurance can be your savior.

Homeowners' coverage might fall short!

You have a homeowners' cover, and it includes your piano. Still, a specified policy is what you need to shield your keyboard.

Yes, you heard it right. Even if you've sufficient homeowners' insurance cover, dedicated policies make the best choice when it comes to protecting musical instruments. The reason - homeowners' insurance policies offer limited coverage to musical instruments.

Also, most homeowners' policies are likely to cover a part of the value of your piano or offer just a small amount. Most importantly, it will perhaps not cover your musical gears if something happens to them outside the premises of your home. Therefore, it is wise to purchase a dedicated Piano Insurance policy.

A smart investment that makes you future-ready!

Buying a specific insurance policy for your keyboard might feel like an investment to you in the first place, a big one. However, if you choose a reliable and customer-friendly insurance service provider, you are more likely to save on your purchase. Plus, a dedicated insurance plan for your musical instruments will make your future-ready and is a cost-effective option in the long-run.

Choose an insurance partner wisely!

Finding the right insurance service provider is crucial, as far as protecting your assets is concerned. And, it's not a tough feat at all. All you need to do is -

        Make a list of the musical assets you want to insure.
        Understand your specific requirements from your insurance plan.
        Plan a budget for the insurance premiums that you can repay comfortably.
        Do thorough research about multiple insurance companies.
        Get quotes from them.
        Choose the one that meets your requirements and financial planning.

So, this is how you can buy a comprehensive insurance policy for your beloved piano and other musical instruments.