General advice on Harp Insurance

Before you buy music insurance, musical instrument insurance or any Harp insurance consider the cover you require. You should consider how you play your Harp(s). Perhaps you play at weddings and also require music liability insurance, which we can provide under our Harp insurance policy. We hope that the following may help you consider what options are right for you:-

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ISN'T MY INSTRUMENT COVERED UNDER MY HOUSEHOLD POLICY?

That depends, consider the following...

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• If you take your instrument out of the home, say to school or a gig, you will need to check that your household policy covers this (normally an out of home extension is required).

• This extension will normally have a single item limit. Is your Harp below this limit?

• Will it cover loss/ theft from a building e.g. a concert hall/ school or if left on a school bus?

• What is your policy excess (typically €100, €250 etc.).

• Will a claim following damage to your Harp affect your Contents No Claims Discount (if applicable).

• Will your contents insurers know where best to repair your Harp?

• If you damage your Harp would your contents policy pay for a loan of an Harp to enable you to continue to play?

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WHY CHOOSE SPECIALIST INSURANCE FOR YOUR INSTRUMENTS WITH MIS Underwriting ?

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•  A specialist policy covers your Harp in and outside the home for the ROI and can be extended to cover the Harp on a worldwide basis.

• A standard €0 policy excess applies (although you can consider taking an excess if required).

• Policy extensions to include loaning of a Harp.

• Other benefits include:

  1. Worldwide, ROI and Premises only cover options

  2. Theft cover

  3. Accidental damage cover

  4. Loss cover

  5. Unspecified musical accessory cover comes as standard (limit €350)

  6. Unattended vehicle cover

  7. Hire costs in the event of a claim

  8. 14 days free cover when you borrow/acquire a new instrument (limit €3,500)

  9. ROI wide repair network

• Depreciation cover is included as standard within MIS Underwriting musical instrument insurance policy.

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In addition to Harp insurance on the instrument you may be asked to play in public – for example at weddings. Often you are then asked for Public Liability cover (musician liability insurance).

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Harp insurance players should still look after their instrument as Harp insurance cannot cover everything and the following guidelines on strings is we hope helpful:-

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String Breakage. This will happen (sorry) and generally are not covered by any insurance policy (sorry again!) unless following an insured event. Consider wear and tear (often on lever Harps B,A and E strings break as these are used most) and look out for fray at contact points etc.

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Temperature changes. Gut strings in particular can break following changes in temperature – although this can happen to any strings. Try to let the instrument warm up naturally in a room before playing.

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Over Tensioning – Make sure your Harp is tuned correctly. We recommend using an electronic tuner but of course you can always tune by ear.

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Ask - Your retailer will provide you with the best advice and servicing.

 

Support your retailer.

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Final guidelines to consider are servicing of your Harp, use of a good trolley and cover.

 

Also in the event of an accident not all Harp insurance policies are the same! MIS Underwriting Harp Insurance includes transportation costs upto £250 in the event of a claim so that you can get your Harp to a repairer. Not every musical instrument insurance policy includes this cover.

 

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