End of the Kimble #136 story

**Bill Bradshaw** · Aug-05-2012, 7:51pm

First of all, thanks to everyone for the kinds words and sympathy regarding Kimble #136 being destroyed.

I know I said I'd tell the sad and gory details, but rather than go there (it got a bit messier than I'd hoped, but worked out ok), how about I just report I ended up with another Kimble. It's my first F model, one of the 2006 BB-25 series that Will built; Mine is #2.

There are some nice pictures (better than I would take) on the Mandolin Depot web site at http://themandolindepot.com/Kimble_BB-25.php.

Again, thanks to all.

Bill

**Bernie Daniel** · Aug-05-2012, 7:58pm

Glad you are whole again. Ya gonna get a back up mando to take to festivals and concerts?

**Bill Bradshaw** · Aug-05-2012, 9:55pm

Originally Posted by Bernie Daniel

Glad you are whole again. Ya gonna get a back up mando to take to festivals and concerts?

Yeah, my ugly full of holes and cracked Gibson EM 150. Or a banjo.

BB

**OldGus** · Aug-05-2012, 10:07pm

It's good to see you are getting a banjo...

**Bill Bradshaw** · Aug-05-2012, 10:11pm

Originally Posted by OldGus

It's good to see you are getting a banjo...

I figure any responsible driver will go for the banjo, and the mando can escape.

**G. Fisher** · Aug-05-2012, 10:21pm

Can you fill us in a little bit on the details? So if someone else runs into this issue they may have an idea what they maybe dealing with? After going through this process would you suggest instrument specific insurance?

**Bill Bradshaw** · Aug-05-2012, 10:33pm

Originally Posted by G. Fisher

Can you fill us in a little bit on the details? So if someone else runs into this issue they may have an idea what they maybe dealing with? After going through this process would you suggest instrument specific insurance?

Ok. A claim was filed against the car owners insurance, two witnesses (I wasn't on the scene) provided conflicting statements, and the claim was denied. I subsequently filed on my home owners policy which covered the cost of the instrument, minus the $500 deductabe. With the $200 raised by friends for the Mandolin Memorial Fund, that meant $300 fewer dollars available for the new mandolin.

I will be looking into a rider or some way to insure the new one. It would make it much simpler should something catastrophic happen again.

Hope this helps.

Bill

**G. Fisher** · Aug-05-2012, 11:03pm

Thanks for the info. After hearing your story I'm glad I have Heritage to cover my instruments. Hopefully more people will look into their coverage as a result of your misfortune.

Congratulations on the Kimble F5.

**OldGus** · Aug-05-2012, 11:53pm

I was going to mention that guy from "The Neighbors" in reference as an owner of a Butch Baldassari model when you first mentioned it here. It turns out that's the one you were referencing in the first place. He seems like a nice guy so do you. Sometimes bad things happen to good people. It's good to see the situation is resolved. That mandolin looks great, all of his prices I've seen seem to be very good deals. Enjoy it in good health.

**pjlama** · Aug-06-2012, 12:34am

Alls well that ends well. Sorry you had to deal with this but those BB models sure are sweet. I guess BB now stands for Bill Bradshaw

**Mandobar** · Aug-06-2012, 6:45am

Bill, Call Ellis at Heritage. It will give you piece of mind. It's a specialized field, you need specialized attention.

**RBMB** · Aug-06-2012, 8:07am

How did the insurance company calculate the claim value (before deductible)? Did they use your invoice, consider replacement cost for a new instrument or focus on cost of a used replacement?

**Bill Bradshaw** · Aug-06-2012, 8:09am

Originally Posted by RBMB

How did the insurance company calculate the claim value (before deductible)? Did they use your invoice, consider replacement cost for a new instrument or focus on cost of a used replacement?

They used replacement cost for a new A model. I think they called Will.

Bill

**Russ Jordan** · Aug-06-2012, 8:25am

I insure my instruments through an Inland Marine policy, which I get through Farm Bureau. I guess I have had the policy 20 years, and have never made a claim. Anybody else use this type policy.

Bill--congrats on the BB. Rick's a good guy.

**MikeEdgerton** · Aug-06-2012, 8:47am

Being in the insurance industry I am familiar with inland marine insurance concepts. It generally covers goods or equipment being transported by a business. If in fact you have a business then you can probably cover your instruments with it however, an insurance company "might" have an issue if the goods had nothing to do with your business, even if they wrote the policy. If you operate a farm and cover your farm equipment, office equipment, produce, whatever I think you'd have no problems. The day you pop a damaged mandolin out you might, and I say might, have a fight on your hands. In any event a specialized policy on your instruments or a rider on your homeowner's policy is going to be better for the average individual. By the way, I'm sure your agent will tell you that you're covered but I think I'd want it in writing, not from the agent, but from the provider. If they specify that your instruments are covered they have less chance of walking away. Look at the relative ease that the automobile insurance companies had in walking away from this claim.

**hank** · Aug-06-2012, 9:04am

That's one bodacious mandolin you came out with Bil. Is it the modern sound or Loar like?

**Bill Bradshaw** · Aug-06-2012, 9:57pm

Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton

Being in the insurance industry I am familiar with inland marine insurance concepts. It generally covers goods or equipment being transported by a business. If in fact you have a business then you can probably cover your instruments with it however, an insurance company "might" have an issue if the goods had nothing to do with your business, even if they wrote the policy. If you operate a farm and cover your farm equipment, office equipment, produce, whatever I think you'd have no problems. The day you pop a damaged mandolin out you might, and I say might, have a fight on your hands. In any event a specialized policy on your instruments or a rider on your homeowner's policy is going to be better for the average individual. By the way, I'm sure your agent will tell you that you're covered but I think I'd want it in writing, not from the agent, but from the provider. If they specify that your instruments are covered they have less chance of walking away. Look at the relative ease that the automobile insurance companies had in walking away from this claim.

Thanks for your thoughts on this Mike. When I got my Kimble A, I remember asking my local agent if it was covered under my home owners policy. And true to his word, it was. I've had a couple of very good outcomes with him.

On the other hand, I just combined the insurance settlement, some cash on hand, and will have to sell a mandolin, all to pay for the new Kimble. It's worth more, and I stopped by my agents office today to see what my options are for covering a more valuable instrument. I'm looking at simplifying the process should something icky like this every happen again. It's insurance after all.

Regards,

Bill

**Bill Bradshaw** · Aug-06-2012, 10:03pm

Originally Posted by hank

That's one bodacious mandolin you came out with Bil. Is it the modern sound or Loar like?

Well, that's a good question. I've only ever heard a couple of Loars up close and personal, and only played one for a short time. I guess I don't have that sound ingrained in my head like the sound of my old Gibson A. I do know Will Kimble built several mandolins to emulate/approximate/celebrate the 1925 Gibson that Butch Baldasari played, and that instrument is considered and unsigned Loar.

I also know I liked the sound and playability of my squished Kimble A, and that I like the tone and playability of this new (for me) Kimble. Sorry, that's the best I can offer. I like Kimble mandolins.

Cheers,

Bill

**mrmando** · Aug-06-2012, 10:35pm

The Heritage insurance policy is an inland marine policy through The Hartford. They must have banged a couple of nails through it to adapt it for musical instruments, but it works on the same principle as inland marine insurance AFAIK.

**MikeEdgerton** · Aug-06-2012, 10:48pm

I never looked at the Heritage website until just now. I assumed wrongly that they were an insurance company, they are, apparently brokers or agents for a few different carriers. The Hartford is just one of them. They do appear to be be fronting good companies though. They have a good reputation here.

The Heritage Insurance FAQ