RECORDING STUDIO INSURANCE

[AMIEL]

Hi..I am looking for options.

Any suggestions?


Thanks!

[SaschaP]

Music Pro Insurance is the only one I know of. It's about $1 for every $100 of insured equipment. They also insure your equipment while it travels if you gig with it.

www.musicproinsurance.com

[chadly]

I've always gone through Clarion, but I've never had to make a claim.

[CrankyRayHanky]

looks like it satrts at $1 a day

[SaschaP]

$1 per $100 per year. I only insure my equipment through them for my home studio. The studio I manage uses a combination of Music Pro for equipment and other insurers for liability, disability, fire, etc...

I guess I'm not sure what type of insurance your looking for. It will largely depend on if you are in a residential vs commercial space.

[TornadoTed]

I have mine in a package deal. They wouldn't usually insure a recording studio but because it is on a farm and part of a package they took it on. No need for a special alarm or anything.

1. House Insurance ($600,000)
2. Contents Insurance ($50,000)
3. Farm Building Insurance ($200,000)
4. Studio Building Insurance ($200,000)
5. Recording Equipment Insurance ($200,000)
6. Farm Public Liabilty ($6,000,000)
7. Studio Public Liabilty ($6,000,000)

I pay $3,000 for the lot.

[ALL*MYTEE]

You might call Joe Montarello at Capital Bauer Insurance. They insure lots of studios and rental houses. His number is 518 869 3535. Nice guy.

[clr]

DeWitt Stern has one where you pay $525 per year and it covers up to $32,000 worth of equipment. Might be a good place to start.

[TornadoTed]

Originally Posted by dylansmale

so where do you actually make the money to pay the hundreds of thousands of dollars you owe?

Sorry I don't quite get what you mean. It only costs $3,000 per year for that level of insurance.

[Steffmo]

Joe Monterello knows more about this topic than anyone on the planet.

His programs cover whatever you are concerned about.....theft, water, physical liability, data loss, loss of income from a key person, and some you haven't even thought of yet.

And I have had claims, which were paid quickly and cheerfully.

[AMIEL]

Originally Posted by SaschaP

$1 per $100 per year. I only insure my equipment through them for my home studio. The studio I manage uses a combination of Music Pro for equipment and other insurers for liability, disability, fire, etc...

I guess I'm not sure what type of insurance your looking for. It will largely depend on if you are in a residential vs commercial space.

Now my studio is in my hew house.
So Basicly I want to insurance all my gear .
So is in a residential area

[SaschaP]

Music pro sounds like it might be the right fit for you. They also have a great website where you can add and subtract gear as you buy it. You can also adjust the replacement value as needed. The policy covers most situations too. I feel much better knowing my stuff is insured...

[frankiedrz]

not sure the amount of coverage your looking for but musicpro was an easy process for me online then a follow up email from an agent..premium is due in june or july so they pro rate the year based on what month u start your coverage..the inventory list is easy to edit and update

[Sigma]

Originally Posted by AMIEL

Now my studio is in my hew house.
So Basicly I want to insurance all my gear .
So is in a residential area

it's covered under "marine insurance" as a rider on your homeowners..

it covers total computer [which most normal home policies cap at 1k] all gear and includes off premise coverage

nationwide insurance is chargin me 150 dollars per 15,000 of gear per year for the rider on my homeowners..full replacement coverage

[feck]

I have had Musicpro for 2 years. Upon pending renewal of my policy, I called and left a message regarding insuring my ilok rather than every individual piece of software. After 5 messages and 3 emails, NO ONE HAS EVER RESPONDED TO ME! In fact, I have never gotten anyone on the phone other than the first time I called to start a policy 2 years ago (which I call the same number now, but get a message that there is heavy call volume). I am convinced that Music Pro is a scam, and does nothing but take money and provide no service.. If they won't respond to repeated contacts regarding renewal, what is supposed to make me think that there is either anyone there, or anyone to pay a claim if I ever have one?

[Ringwraith]

Check out "Heritage"
Heritage Insurance Services - Musical Instrument Insurance

They cover many different circumstances.
No deductible, very reasonable rates.
Always been able to "talk" to someone when needed.
Never had a claim so I can't comment on that.

Cheers
Sean

[ron florentine]

Originally Posted by feck

I have had Musicpro for 2 years. Upon pending renewal of my policy, I called and left a message regarding insuring my ilok rather than every individual piece of software. After 5 messages and 3 emails, NO ONE HAS EVER RESPONDED TO ME! In fact, I have never gotten anyone on the phone other than the first time I called to start a policy 2 years ago (which I call the same number now, but get a message that there is heavy call volume). I am convinced that Music Pro is a scam, and does nothing but take money and provide no service.. If they won't respond to repeated contacts regarding renewal, what is supposed to make me think that there is either anyone there, or anyone to pay a claim if I ever have one?

I have never dealt with music pro but I have heard the same thing.....very hard to reach .....no return calls or emails.............has anyone here had to make a claim with these guys,,,,would love to know your experience........people are always concern about how much and what is covered with these music insurance companies.....but that doesnt mean squat if they dont pay there claims or make you go through hoops on a ligitamate claim.


Ron Florentine
Soundswest Studio

[pkpdjh]

I've done research on Heritage, Clarion, MusicPro, and Anderson Group.

I think I am going with Clarion, but my situation might not be typical for the folks on this board.

I have about $12,000 worth of gear, but I usually take only $3000 of it with me on gigs. My typical rig is a $1200 keyboard and then a bunch of accessories like amps, stands, a mixer, sound module, small MIDI controller. Because my rig has lot of smaller pieces, I liked the zero-deductible at Clarion. (MusicPro is $100 per incident loss.) That way, I'm totally covered when something happens to one of my $300 items (like someone takes off with my Zoom recorder). If I were a guy with a $10,000 saxaphone and not much else, I might go another route.

Clarion charges $160 as a minimum policy, which is a lot for what I carry, but I was much more comfortable with the guy (Greg V.) who always called me immediately when I left him an email the previous night. He also seemed on top things. After discussion a few scenarios, I feel like I wouldn't get screwed by a bunch of exclusions.

One of my biggest concerns is that I keep my gear in my car sometimes during the day if I have a gig on two successive nights. I explained that I would have my car at my day job which is in a secure lot and he said that I would be covered in that case.

I am going to wait a couple days to commit, so if anyone else has used Clarion please step up and make a comment!

[chadly]

I've always used Clarion and have had a great experience with them. Of course, I've yet to make a claim. Their rental coverage is pretty helpful too!

The best insurance feedback are from those that have gone full circle. A shameless bump for the post above.

Anyone made a claim with Clarion?

[swankdoc]

I had used Music Pro ~ 6years. Same experience with no customer service at all. Sometime I wonder if there's really anyone at the helm there.
Anyway, this last year they sent me a renewal notice. The gear list they sent me was ~4 years old. I called them, twice, got no reply.

That was that.
No way no how could I ever count on them if I actually had to make a serious claim.

So based on several other threads I called Joe Monterello up. Spoke with him personally. Super nice guy. Knowledgable in studio insyrance to say the least. The gear list does not have to be consistantly updated as he has a blanket umbrella amount is covered. Also recommends personal liability as well, makes sense.

In ~ 2 weeks it was all complete. I was sent a very professional owners package.
I now have an agent I can deal with personally, and a company that I know is actually....um....real.
So, based on my experiences, I would strongly suggest following in my footsteps.
No brainer in retrospect.

[jimmydeluxe]

Originally Posted by swankdoc

I had used Music Pro ~ 6years. Same experience with no customer service at all. Sometime I wonder if there's really anyone at the helm there.
Anyway, this last year they sent me a renewal notice. The gear list they sent me was ~4 years old. I called them, twice, got no reply.

That was that.
No way no how could I ever count on them if I actually had to make a serious claim.

So based on several other threads I called Joe Monterello up. Spoke with him personally. Super nice guy. Knowledgable in studio insyrance to say the least. The gear list does not have to be consistantly updated as he has a blanket umbrella amount is covered. Also recommends personal liability as well, makes sense.

In ~ 2 weeks it was all complete. I was sent a very professional owners package.
I now have an agent I can deal with personally, and a company that I know is actually....um....real.
So, based on my experiences, I would strongly suggest following in my footsteps.
No brainer in retrospect.

How much was the premium/scale, if you don't mind for the rest of us?

I had the same concern as everyone else. Because every policy renews in July, they have a huge call volume to deal with at once. I had to call a few times but eventually reached someone. In order to make a claim, you have to make it through Fireman's Fund, which actually made me feel better. You can reach someone there directly. I didn't end up filing, as it wasn't really worth it in this case--some physical damage done to speakers by a relative, purely cosmetic. I felt better actually going through the process, however. You have to file a police report, so I didn't bother. Seems legit to me.

[Silvertone]

Originally Posted by swankdoc

I had used Music Pro ~ 6years. Same experience with no customer service at all. Sometime I wonder if there's really anyone at the helm there.
Anyway, this last year they sent me a renewal notice. The gear list they sent me was ~4 years old. I called them, twice, got no reply.

That was that.
No way no how could I ever count on them if I actually had to make a serious claim.

So based on several other threads I called Joe Monterello up. Spoke with him personally. Super nice guy. Knowledgable in studio insyrance to say the least. The gear list does not have to be consistantly updated as he has a blanket umbrella amount is covered. Also recommends personal liability as well, makes sense.

In ~ 2 weeks it was all complete. I was sent a very professional owners package.
I now have an agent I can deal with personally, and a company that I know is actually....um....real.
So, based on my experiences, I would strongly suggest following in my footsteps.
No brainer in retrospect.

Best thing about Joe is he was and still is a musician, he's one hell of a bass player.

Best thing about the Studio Insurance Program is that all intellectual property is covered! That's right all your clients last 6 months of recording (costs) that went up in that fire is paid for... now what is that worth?

[SK1]

Originally Posted by chadly

I've always used Clarion and have had a great experience with them. Of course, I've yet to make a claim. Their rental coverage is pretty helpful too!

The best insurance feedback are from those that have gone full circle. A shameless bump for the post above.

Anyone made a claim with Clarion?

I'm in the same boat as you guys and would like to know this as well. Surely someone in the community must know something??!!

(I actually started a thread on this looking to see if anyone had a claim with clarion........ zero response)

BTW, I had a claim with Dewitt Stern and they paid up quick and easy.

[jhamburg]

+1 for Joe Montarello @ Capital Bauer

Had another nasty con-ed surge blow out a phase whilst the big AC was running.

Fried the compressor.

Had a check in less than 2 weeks with Joe's help..

Wish I had a bigger buffer but it made the difference between vacation and no vacation this summer !

Very happy with Capital Bauer and their program.

joel

[jsteiger]

Originally Posted by ALL*MYTEE

You might call Joe Montarello at Capital Bauer Insurance. They insure lots of studios and rental houses. His number is 518 869 3535. Nice guy.

Don't do anything without talking to Joe. He knows gear and the studio biz. If you say 1176 or U47 or Neve, he knows exactly what you are talking about. Plus, it's replacement cost and you don't have to itemize or call him everytime you buy or sell something.

He has a special program he has put together with the Peerless Insurance Company. The program is called "The Recording Studio Insurance Program". The name says it all.

He does most of the big (and small) rooms that are left in Chicago. I know he also does Blackbird and many more in LA and Nashville.

Doesn't matter if it's in your home or a commercial space. He will make changes if you have clients coming thru or not.

I bound my coverage last year before I picked up my desk. I wanted to make sure I was covered in case there was a travel miss hap during the transport. He said if I own it, it's covered in transit. It's in the policy without an inland marine ryder.

Good luck, Jeff

[skylabfilmpop]

Reviving this thread. Any of the insurers offer installment plans? My auto USAA does its pretty helpful spreading it out.

[6strings]

Originally Posted by AMIEL

Now my studio is in my hew house.
So Basicly I want to insurance all my gear .
So is in a residential area

For a home studio, simply check with your homeowners insurance agent. They may be able to give you a rider (mine did). Make sure to up your liability and let them know you have clients on the premises (if such is the case).

[Silvertone]

Originally Posted by skylabfilmpop

Reviving this thread. Any of the insurers offer installment plans? My auto USAA does its pretty helpful spreading it out.

Yes, The Studio Insurance Program will allow you to spread payments over 10 months. I do mine every quarter, so 4 times a year.

[Lee Dyess]

Zurich has a specialized policy for recording studios (or at least they did when I opened the policy 6 years back). You can customize your level of coverage. I have a decent level of coverage with them for less than 100 bucks a month. I've filed one claim on it when a random roof leak killed some guitar amps. They were easy to reach and had my claim sorted in under 2 weeks.

[Silvertone]

Originally Posted by Lee Dyess

Zurich has a specialized policy for recording studios (or at least they did when I opened the policy 6 years back). You can customize your level of coverage. I have a decent level of coverage with them for less than 100 bucks a month. I've filed one claim on it when a random roof leak killed some guitar amps. They were easy to reach and had my claim sorted in under 2 weeks.

I've used Zurich in the past as well... similar price for all these companies but the only one to cover intellectual property rights when it comes to recordings is The Studio Insurance program. This reason alone is why ALL STUDIOS should have this insurance. If you ever have to give away 6 free months of time because you had a fire or water damage during a project and all the work for the last 6 months is gone, you'd be glad you have this kind of coverage.

Post 9/11 this insurance program paid the studios around ground zero who could not even get to their facilities for 3 months.. one studio I know got 40K a month for the 3 months! Now that is an INSURANCE policy!