Security

**JeffD** · Dec-21-2006, 11:55pm

In a recent jam we put together a name and contact information list, so to notify each other of jam cancellations or other jams and concerts and things of mutual interest. We were going to include in the list the instruments we play - when someone objected, saying that if one copy of the list got in the wrong hands, those hands would have a veritable treasure map - the locations of compact packages of high value, complete with convenient carry handles.

So the thought struck me - what measures do you take to protect your instruments from theft. Anything beyond the normal rider on your homeowners insurance policy?

I am sure many folks have things more expensive in their house, but again, perhaps not so much value in such a compact portable shape.

Was this fellow (and I) perhaps being paranoid?

**mandroid** · Dec-22-2006, 3:52am

Unemployed, low key, home a lot of the time, plus
Door has a deadbolt, # apartment, cantilevered over parking #has nothing but air underneath #it.
kind of moves a bit #when winter storms #are blowing #above gale force 5.

**Rick Crenshaw** · Dec-22-2006, 12:34pm

Relying on homeowner's policies even with a rider is too risky for me. #If you ever play out for a dime, you are considered a professional and usually negates the payment of a claim. #Also, what if your mandolin is stolen during a festival or jam? or anywhere outside of your home? Homeowner's may not cover!

Nope, I opted for Heritage musical insurance. #Clarion is another option. #This is the ultimate protection of the VALUE of the instrument... but not the instrument itself.

**Bob A** · Dec-22-2006, 1:26pm

Deadbolt, firearms, toxic personality.

**farmerjones** · Dec-22-2006, 3:38pm

It's too cheap not to have a seperate policy for your instruments. Even if you have one or two nice ones then you can throw the rest in. Even harmonicas and banjos. It's so much per thousand dollars coverage.

Merry Christmas.

Steve

**Santiago** · Dec-22-2006, 4:13pm

I make a point to keep my instruments out of sight when workers are in the house, etc. One person doing some construction on my house started asking me a bunch of suspcious questions about my custom Gibson guitar, so I left it at my father's house nearby for a few weeks. When he asked again I told him it was damaged and was out getting fixed in Nashville for a few months. Now I make sure it's out of sight when strangers are around.

**JeffD** · Dec-22-2006, 4:18pm

That insurance sounds like a good idea. Thanks!

**JeffD** · Dec-22-2006, 4:23pm

Originally Posted by (Santiago @ Dec. 22 2006, 17:13)

I make a point to keep my instruments out of sight when workers are in the house, etc.

That is a good idea too. I have to get some work done on the floor in one room, and it would be smart to clear out the instruments while they come in.

Not to disparage carpenters or plumbers or anything like that, but strangers in the house it just makes sense.

**sunburst** · Dec-22-2006, 4:50pm

My published address on my web site, business cards, and most all corresponcence is a post office box. Mapquest can't take you right to my door with that address.

Living on a dead-end gravel road, knowing my neighbors, and simply not saying a lot about what is here at any one time can all be more effective safety precautions than locked doors. Breaking in is really no extra trouble for the serious thief. I'll probably be getting a large fire safe eventually too.

**dudlebug23** · Dec-22-2006, 9:25pm

I have Clarion instrument insurance. When you get up in the 15 grand range with all your stuff, I think it's worth it. Someone broke into the house next to mine last spring, so if it would have been mine, the instrument insurance would have come in handy. Better safe than sorry. I also have a security system and deadbolts, and a mean old basset hound that is quite feisty.

**sunburst** · Dec-22-2006, 10:52pm

FWIW, my customers who have Heritage insurance are covered when their instruments are in my possession. The instruments are covered when they are being shipped also, so there's no need to buy over-priced insurance from the carrier. A couple of times shipping your instrument in a year and your Heritage insurance is paid for in savings from not having to buy extra shipping insurance. Basically, the instruments are covered wherever they are, but still, insurance and security are two different things.

And another thing. The dollar limit of the insurance has gone up in recent years, so it has become more practical for someone like me, who might have several instruments that belong to customers as well as instruments of my own in my possession, to have instrument insurance. While I realize that the 15 grand range is substantial, dudlebug23, imagine the value of the instruments in a luthier's shop at any one time. The value of 'vintage' instruments is steadilly going up, so if my insurance limit is less than about half a million, why bother? I was camped with some friends at a festival a few years ago and we did a quick mental tally of the market value of the instruments in the camp. it was over half a million then, and the prices aren't going down. As prices continue to go up, insurance and security for musical instruments is getting to be serious business, and something worth considering for anyone who has instruments of value.

**Salty Dog** · Dec-22-2006, 11:24pm

I originally went the "rider" on the homeowner's policy route until I heard enough stories about those insurance companies treating broken instruments like broken chairs - just glue the head back on and it shound retain 85% of its value. #Also there are lots of circumstances under which the instrument(s) would not be covered (some mentioned above). #I found Clarion to be the best value for an individual owner (compared to Heritage, which seems more tuned to the commercial customer). #Also Clarion will give you a substantial discount if you are a member of IBMA or subscribe to Bluegrass Unlimited. #Their base price is about $160.00 for a maximum of about $20,000 in instrument value. #Of course, they only insure for actual value so you will pay for the minimum even if you do not have instruments that add up to $20,000.00. #They are very easy to deal with.

**8ch(pl)** · Dec-23-2006, 4:36am

For what this is worth at the low end of security, for the instrument in it's case, I use a cable bicycle lock around the waist area of my case when flying. I remove all the cutters, spare strings etc. and carry it onboard. The lock fits tightly and is a bit difficult to lock in place.

With this I know that the case will not open, by accident or otherwise. They xray it so they should not need it opened.

Last flight I sat in the last row of seats and slid the case in behind the seat, crosswise on the floor, since the overhead bins were full.

**Keith Erickson** · Dec-23-2006, 4:10pm

If you have to create a call list maybe a first name and last initial followed by the phone number. #Anything more than that you're asking for trouble.

Back in middle school, one of us in our homeroom got a hold of the teacher master phone list.

....before we received our out-of-school suspensions, we had lot's of fun taking prank phone calls to a whole new level and art form that was never before witnessed since Alexander Graham Bell.

**billkilpatrick** · Dec-23-2006, 4:23pm

i have this wax doll in the closet and a set of pins. if ever someone were to steal my mandolin and i was even halfway sure of who did it, i'd be spending whatever savings i have on a new (possibly better) instrument while he - or she - would be hobbling to the doctor with what appears to be symptoms of very accute and very painful, rheumatoid arthritis.

**Tom Sanderson** · Dec-23-2006, 4:38pm

I try to be low key about the value of the instruments I own. I don't list the instruments I own at the bottom of each post when I reply to posts on fourms, I am proud of the ones I have, but I don't need to brag, I enjoy what I have quietly. When I'm traveling, I keep the instruments I bring to a minimum, usually one, and I try to keep it within eye sight all the time. I have everything scheduled on my homeowner's policy. I made sure to read the policy and understand it, I asked a bunch of questions. I don't play for money very often, and when I do, I get cash, (usually less than a hundred bucks). Theft is just one thing to be concerned about, I also avoid leaving them in extreme heat or cold, and I don't let too many others handle or play them.
Tom

**8ch(pl)** · Dec-23-2006, 8:56pm

Mine aren't worth that much, 1 Mid Missouri M-4, one Vega tenor banjo, a Vega mandolin banjo and a Samick A. Plus a Stella Tenor guitar and a Chinese Octave.

The loss of one of my mandolins would be a hardship for me financially. But I don't see myself as being a target because of the instruments I have.

**mythicfish** · Dec-23-2006, 9:49pm

The more you think about this stuff ... the more your "stuff" owns you

**Andrew Lewis** · Dec-23-2006, 10:04pm

If you own any guns, the combination of musical instruments and guns might make a large gun safe a worthwhile investment...You could keep a humidifier and hygrometer in there too for both guns and instruments. Having one might also decrease your insurance premiums (like an alarm on a car - Hey, you never know!) I am getting one handed down to me soon and I'm going to put my instruments in it when I go out of town (it's quite a large one).

**jim_n_virginia** · Dec-24-2006, 4:18pm

Originally Posted by (8ch(pl) @ Dec. 23 2006, 05:36)

With this I know that the case will not open, by accident or otherwise. #They xray it so they should not need it opened.

Last flight I sat in the last row of seats and slid the case in behind the seat, crosswise on the floor, since the overhead bins were full.

When I went to St. Augustine for vacation this past summer they made me open my case and they looked inside my mandolin with a flashlight.

I also put my case on the floor between my feet.

Also what protects MY instruments is that everyone in my neighborhood knows I am a gun toting, right wing, NRA card carrying, Michael Savage listening, AR-15 owning Conservative!

With that said, I am seriously thinking about Heritage Insurance mainly for the accidental damage because I am playing out more and more!

**JeffD** · Dec-27-2006, 3:41pm

I read that burglers look for stuff they can lift quickly, to be in and out in under thirty minutes. So even bicycle chaining the locked case to the leg of the piano might be a good idea.

**Eric F.** · Dec-27-2006, 5:03pm

This guy. He guards my bourbon, too!

**pdlstl** · Dec-31-2006, 8:21pm

I keep it in a banjo case...

**JeffD** · Dec-31-2006, 10:47pm

Originally Posted by (pdlstl @ Dec. 31 2006, 21:21)

I keep it in a banjo case...

LOL! That works for me.

**Robes** · Jan-01-2007, 3:50pm

Wellllll,.... first you have to get by the two dobermans that patrol the grounds outside, they make noise.....then you have the one that is inside, he doesn't make any sound until...