1. Your instrument is damaged during travel. Traveling to play music just to find that your instrument was damaged in transit can be devastating – and expensive.

How Musical Instrument insurance can help: If your instrument is being repaired due to a covered loss, coverage for the cost of a replacement to use in the meantime is included.

2. Your instrument is stolen. Expensive equipment can be stolen anywhere, but is especially vulnerable outside of the home.

How Musical Instrument insurance can help: With worldwide coverage, there’s no on-premises limitation, so an oboe snatched from a hotel is covered the same as if it were stolen from your living room.

3. You own a high-value or vintage instrument. Homeowners insurance has maximum value limits, which can easily be exceeded with custom or antique instruments.

How Musical Instrument insurance can help: There are no maximum value limits. The amount your instruments and equipment are insured for is the maximum value.

4. You rely on your instrument for income. Professional musicians normally rely on their instruments for income. If an instrument is damaged, lost, or stolen, the consequences can directly result in lost income. Homeowners insurance excludes instruments used professionally – and does not include any coverage for lost income.

How Musical Instrument insurance can help: A dedicated policy can cover instruments and related equipment, as well as optional upgrades to cover lost income.

5. Unexpected damage or accidents can happen when you least expect them. It could be a spilled drink, an accidental drop, a student damaging an instructor’s instrument – there are endless accidents that can occur.

How Musical Instrument insurance can help: While a policy may not cover damage by pests, wear and tear, and pre-existing damage, a dedicated policy can cover almost anything as it relates to unintentional loss or damage.

While every musician’s needs can vary, if you travel with an instrument, play professionally, or own high-value instruments or related equipment, musical instrument insurance can be worth exploring.