[Index:]
 Insuring the bells
Another responce
What kind is best?

Insuring the bells

Ann Flisrand wrote: 

     > We checked with our State Farm agent and they are
     > included in our insurance.  Be sure that they know
     > what you have and value.  One agent said we needed
     > a separate policy.  When he retired, we switched to
     > the person we knew who was also with the same
     > company and he reviewed our policies.  He told us
     > there was no need for a separate policy.
Having been around the insurance industry for 12 years, you can cover the handbells either as a separate musical instrument on some policies under your homeowners, pay a higher premium, but have coverage for accidental dropping, fire, theft, etc. Or you can just include it as any other household item that would cover most types of house damage, such as fire, theft, etc but not accidental dropping. Third way would be a totally separate policy if your agent wants more commission or if the homeowner's policy does not allow the two above mentioned riders/endorsements. Each national company will be different. I deal with over 30 different companies currently.

Written by:

Mark H. Peper, Director
Tjspaw4186@aol.com
Wesley Ringers, Wesley UMC, Jeff City MO
27 Feb 1998

Archived original can be found at: Insurance

Another responce

There are several things that should be considered before purchasing insurance for your bells. They may be able to be included in a regular homeowners or renters policy, but check the losses that would be covered, and the amount of coverage available. There may be only a thousand dollars or so covered, and there is a deductible involved. The coverage is usually much better if it is added as a floater, and there is rarely a deductible on a floater. How are you using your bells? If you get paid anything at all, many policies consider that professional use, and coverage is not afforded under those circumstances. Also be aware that they are usually not covered if the bells are taken to a foreign country.

Make sure your agent knows what is involved in the use of the instrument, and ask lots of questions. Most of them think of a piano sitting in the corner of the living room or your kids flute that they play in school when they think about insuring musical instruments.

Written by:

Cindy Gronbach
cgronbach@involved.com
Insurance agent by day, bell ringer every chance I get!
Bells of the Cascades
Portland Oregon
1 Mar 1998

Archived original can be found at: Re:Insurance

What kind is best?

     > What kind is good, better, best?  I think every
     > handbell director should know what insurance the
     > org. has on it's bells -- esp. if they take them to
     > festivals, or to play in other locations in the
     > community, etc.
The kind that is best is the kind that fits your needs. Many policies have exclusions for professional musicans (meaning if you get any money at all for playing), if the bells are taken out of the US (some limit it to the continental US) and Canada, etc. Make sure there is coverage away from the premises. Don't just take the insurance agents word for it. READ THE POLICY. READ THE EXCLUSIONS. ASK QUESTIONS. It would be a shame to find out after a loss that your bells weren't covered after all. Then you get to deal with E and O (errors and omissions-it's not fun!). 
     > Is any special insurance out there esp. for bells
     > [musical instruments], is it most customary to have
     > it included in regular insurance, or to have an
     > extra rider for bells [musical instruments, cited
     > perhaps]?
There is insurance available through AGEHR. There is also insurance available through some (probably most) musician's unions. For many, adding to the homeowners policy works just fine. Again, it depends on your needs and if the policy fits those needs.

Written by:

Cindy Gronbach
cgronbach@involved.com
Insurance agent to pay the bills...
Bells of the Cascades
Portland Oregon
17 Jun 1998

Archived original can be found at: Re: Bell Insurance