Do you insure your child's musical instrument?

[HugsForEeyore]

Here's a question for parents with kids who play musical instruments!

My 14 year old niece wants to get a job to buy a $2500 flute, with her own money! She has very lofty goals - we may help out, since she is very involved in band and plays solos, and really enjoys it. Anyways, if we get a flute that expensive, I assume it should be insured. Do any of you insure your child's instrument? Are there companies that do this sort of thing? My niece's parents do not own a home and have no homeowner's insurance, so that isn't an option. Just wondering what everyone else did in this situation - I know nothing about this sort of thing, and I can't imagine not insuring something that expensive!!

Thanks!

 

[quasar4legs]

We have always insured our son's trombone and trumpet from the day we purchased each instrument. Originally we priced getting seperate insurance but for us it worked out heaps cheaper to put it under our home contents insurance.

The insurance we have covers the instrument for loss, theft and accident so if someone trips over the jolly things at band we are not out of pocket for repairs. So far nothing has ever happened to either instrument but I have heard some horror stories over the years.

Good Luck
Trish

 

[crazee4mickey]

We insure our son's bagpipes--they are worth about $5000 and very old so it would be stupid on our part to leave them uninsured.
We had it added on with the company who also holds our household insurance, it cost extra but can't remember $$ amount but we felt its worth it for sure!

 

[golfgal]

Yes we do insure their instruments. If her parents don't own a home they probably rent someplace. They should have renter's insurance and they could list the flute under that. You want to have it scheduled out separately so it isn't subject to the deductible. State Farm has a personal articles policy that can be separate from a homeowners or renters policy, at least in MN they do.

 

[AristocatFan]

We don't carry separate insurance for the instruments, just have them covered under our homeowners. Hmm, I think. Guess I better check into that! LOL DS#1 has two sax's; a $6,000 Selma and a cheapo $1,500 Yamaha. Never really thought of it. We've had them both repaired once and it was $100 bucks a piece. Now DS#2 is drumline but he doesn't have anything real expensive (yet) just a bunch of sticks, snare and bell kit at home. His main instrument is the Marimba and fortunately he uses the schools. That thing is expensive!

Sorry, I wasn't much help. But you made me realize we should look into it!

 

[Cindy B]

Yes we insure my son's oboe. It is a separate rider on our home insurance. The oboe was about $3000-4000.

The family really needs to consider renters insurance. It is very inexpensive.

 

[Disneywedding2010]

You know I'm not sure if my parents ever insured my flute. I played it from 6-12th grade.. I would think if they don't own a home they have renters insurance and would be able to list it under that.

 

[taximomfor4]

Until my viola-playing daughter got 1st chair in a special, competitive orchestra, I said NO instrument valued at $1000 or more. In 10th grade, she really rose to the top in several orchestras (her regular school one, the honors one, and a summer one) and got several awards her teachers rarely give out. She got a $1200 viola. Traded in her $675 one which needed some maintenance/minor repair work done anyway (about $150 worth).

Of course, if she wanted to put in her very own money (no donations, etc) and upgrade more, she could. But WITHOUT dipping into her college savings. I have not insured this viola yet (I might get around to it). For an instrument over $2000, yes i would add it to the homeowners policy.

Not my place, really, but perhaps your niece would be better served putting that money into some summer intensive programs, regional orchestras, etc, if music is in her future plans. It's amazing, the network of people you get to know, who are on college faculties, etc. In the long run, LOTS more return than a higher value on an instrument.

If it helps to add perspective, I was 1st chair clarinet EVERY YEAR through middle and high school. Even tried out, and got into the Ohio State Fair band and the Cleveland Youth Orchestra. All with the basic, elementary school-appropriate, standard rental clarinet (we rented to own).

Sorry I got off topic. I just wanted to add food for thought, not knock anyone else's spending priorities.

 

[Skatermom23]

I would insure any instrument over $2000. As for a $2500 flute...that really isn't that expensive. I won't tell you how much DDs flute was!

As to the previous poster who said the money would be better spent in summer intensive type programs, I disagree. The flute is a highly competitive instrument. There are a ton of good players and a good instrument with good tone quality is a must to seperate yourself from the pack. The summer networking is also valuable but there has to be a balance.

OP>>> do you know what flute she wants to buy?

 

[Cindy B]

I would insure any instrument over $2000. As for a $2500 flute...that really isn't that expensive. I won't tell you how much DDs flute was!

As to the previous poster who said the money would be better spent in summer intensive type programs, I disagree. The flute is a highly competitive instrument. There are a ton of good players and a good instrument with good tone quality is a must to seperate yourself from the pack. The summer networking is also valuable but there has to be a balance.

OP>>> do you know what flute she wants to buy?

I would also agree with this poster about the summer programs. Rental instruments have a different tone than non rentals. My son's rental (plastic) oboe sounded very tinny and high compared to his own wood oboe.

Flute is highly competitive. I would go for a better instrument.

 

[taximomfor4]

I would insure any instrument over $2000. As for a $2500 flute...that really isn't that expensive. I won't tell you how much DDs flute was!

As to the previous poster who said the money would be better spent in summer intensive type programs, I disagree. The flute is a highly competitive instrument. There are a ton of good players and a good instrument with good tone quality is a must to seperate yourself from the pack. The summer networking is also valuable but there has to be a balance.

OP>>> do you know what flute she wants to buy?

Sorry. I was the pp. I didn't mean to imply that the summer thing is MORE important. I just wanted to give some different perspective. The best flute players I ever knew in school (who also auditioned and got into great programs) got VERY nice flutes, before their senior year. I told dd that's what we'd do for a viola, too. I just want to wait on her college/future decisions. If she's going into Math, and plays randomly just for fun in her bedroom once she's out of high school, she can do that with her $1200 instrument!

I don't know OP's niece, but being "involved in band and playing solos" doesn't mean she's the top of the pack. A flute with wonderful tone isn't going to MAKE someone a better musician, or give them more talent/potential/whatever. Just like for competitive dancers - a great, well-fitting costume can help their overall scores, but it's not going to make a mediocre dancer into a champ.

Like I said, I do NOT know OP's niece. I don't know their financial situation, etc. I just wanted to add extra ideas, besides commenting on the flute insurance. Food for thought, KWIM?

 

[SueInBoston]

We upgraded DD's flute last year to similar price range and we insured it under our homeowner. There are 2 major music schools in our area and there are a lot of stories about stolen instruments.

 

[taximomfor4]

We upgraded DD's flute last year to similar price range and we insured it under our homeowner. There are 2 major music schools in our area and there are a lot of stories about stolen instruments.

Does your insurance include damages done to the instrument while OUTSIDE the home? Like at band/string camp, or at school?

 

[minniebeth]

Thank you for this thread, because actually I never even thought of insurance on my kids' instruments, and they are pretty expensive ones.
But wait...if we get insurance, that means that if it's lost or damaged, we would have it replaced, as in get another one?? On second thought....JUST KIDDING!

 

[GeorgeG]

Instruments should be insured. Check with your agent to determine the best way to do it.

Many student model instruments can run into big bucks. The higher grade instruments can be downright pricey. Anything you can't afford to replace out-of-pocket should be insured. I have a lot of musical equipment and have it insured as a rider on my homeowner insurance. The same can be done with renter insurance.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

Sorry. I was the pp. I didn't mean to imply that the summer thing is MORE important. I just wanted to give some different perspective. The best flute players I ever knew in school (who also auditioned and got into great programs) got VERY nice flutes, before their senior year. I told dd that's what we'd do for a viola, too. I just want to wait on her college/future decisions. If she's going into Math, and plays randomly just for fun in her bedroom once she's out of high school, she can do that with her $1200 instrument!

I don't know OP's niece, but being "involved in band and playing solos" doesn't mean she's the top of the pack. A flute with wonderful tone isn't going to MAKE someone a better musician, or give them more talent/potential/whatever. Just like for competitive dancers - a great, well-fitting costume can help their overall scores, but it's not going to make a mediocre dancer into a champ.

Like I said, I do NOT know OP's niece. I don't know their financial situation, etc. I just wanted to add extra ideas, besides commenting on the flute insurance. Food for thought, KWIM?

I appreciate all ideas - thank you!!!

Wish you did know my niece - she's pretty cool! She's a great kid with her head on straight. Sadly her parents (now divorced) were never like that (her dad has history of alcohol abuse; in and out of jobs; is behind $20,000 in child support, and currently living off of some woman, but alas, all that is a whole 'nother thread. ). So finanically they are struggling. Her mom (my sister) does rent so I can ask about renter's insurance.

My niece is good and very much enjoys the flute, but she is no child genius or prodigy, which does make it difficult to decide to spend that kind of money. Band is her #1 activity at school, no doubt. She talks of majoring in something music-related in college, and I am trying to talk her out of it! But even if she just plays for fun after high school, she would still appreciate and use a good flute. She tried out for All-State band but didn't make it, and she could easily tell the kids who did make it usually had expensive flutes with better sound. She knows she is at a disadvantage with her inexpensive flute. She's been borrowing her flute teacher's flute on many occassions.

And part of this decision for getting a new flute is that my niece's current flute (inexpensive one) is breaking and needs repairs.

Thanks for all the responses!! Insuring an instrument is all new territory for me - good to know others have been there!

 

[HugsForEeyore]

I would insure any instrument over $2000. As for a $2500 flute...that really isn't that expensive. I won't tell you how much DDs flute was!

As to the previous poster who said the money would be better spent in summer intensive type programs, I disagree. The flute is a highly competitive instrument. There are a ton of good players and a good instrument with good tone quality is a must to seperate yourself from the pack. The summer networking is also valuable but there has to be a balance.

OP>>> do you know what flute she wants to buy?

My niece emailed me details - it's a Pearl 795 RBE CODA. Of course, she wants a brand new one! I think her flute teacher has a similar Pearl flute. I know absolutely nothing about flutes, so I hope it's a good one! I keep trying to find out if there is a cheaper but good quality flute we could get instead, so I got lots of research to do!

Thanks for all the responses!

 

[Skatermom23]

My niece emailed me details - it's a Pearl 795 RBE CODA. Of course, she wants a brand new one! I think her flute teacher has a similar Pearl flute. I know absolutely nothing about flutes, so I hope it's a good one! I keep trying to find out if there is a cheaper but good quality flute we could get instead, so I got lots of research to do!

Thanks for all the responses!

I don't play the flute but consider myself an "expert" in the process of buying a flute! DD is on her 6th or 7th one! She started with several rentals, then we purchased a beginners flute, then an intermediate/professional one and now she has the granddaddy of all flutes...her professional one that she will have forever.

The Pearl flutes are good instruments, but has she actually played on this model? If you can, I would recommend that she goes to a flute fair where she can play with all the brands. Honestly, in the price range she is looking at, I would recommend the Sonare flutes. They may even be a few dollars cheaper. A flute is such a personal thing...what might feel right to one person, doesn't to another.

If she is stuck on this particular one, then shop around...buying flutes is a lot like buying cars...There is always a deal or sale, but you have to ask. Right now Basswinds Woodwinds has this model listed for $2119. Every now and then they also offer 20% off coupons. You just have to watch the website. Good luck to your niece.

I can recommend a few other places that have good prices and will ship for free or for a reasonable price. Plus if it is out of state there is no tax!

 

[laurie31]

I was coming to recommend Woodwind Brasswind as a source too!

http://www.wwbw.com/

We bought my DD's flute there, although she's not at the "4 digit instrument" level yet - she's just in 7th grade. We figure if she decides to stick with it and is serious about it, we will get a more expensive instrument later. Right now, she is happy with her student Gemeinhardt.

I think the fact that the OP's niece is willing to earn the money and buy the flute herself shows how serious she is about playing. Good luck to her!

 

[Mrs.Reese]

My hubby's tuba was stolen while he was in college. Thank goodness he had insurance otherwise there is no way he could have afforded $7,000 for a new one. Woodwind/Brasswind is awesome but I would really recommend going to a flute show. When hubby was looking for his replacement, he was able to get a much better tuba than his old for about $2300 cheaper than brasswind/woodwind.