Insurance

Although they last for centuries if looked after and well maintained, instruments can be easily damaged. As the largest Violin Shop in the West of England we see many instruments in need of attention, and therefore cannot recommend too highly the use of specialist musical insurance. Any damage needs to be assessed quickly and this is especially so in the case of insurance claims. It is also vital that the instrument needs to be attended to before any dirt and rosin can penetrate the affected areas. The only realistic quote is obtained when a qualified and experienced craftsman has been able to examine the instrument.

To qualify as a repair under insurance, an instrument has had to have sustained actual damage. Warped bridges, worn pegs and fingerboards, broken strings etc. are classified as wear and tear and do not qualify for an insurance claim.

We would strongly recommend only dealing with a firm that has no exclusion on claims and is prepared to pay devaluation on the damaged instruments. Also check whether you will be covered if you leave the country for a period of time. As our customers lose a significant proportion of insurance claims under their household insurance policies, even if they are named items, we suggest getting a letter in writing from your policy holder outlining the situations in which cover will not be offered.