Wrong! It would cost me a lot more to find another insurance company, because I did look into it.

First of all there is the expense in having my instruments and PA gear valued for insurance purposes - they won't simply take my word for it. The fact that another company had them listed for insurance purposes is irrelevant.

Secondly, there is the 'proof of ownership' issue. Again, they won't simply take my word for it, they want invoices or declarations authorised by a notary. More expense.

Starting from scratch with a new insurer after forty years is, then, far from a straightforward option.

Telling me I haven't lost anything? Wrong again! With the benefit of hindsight, I would have put money aside instead of paying the premiums!! And I would still have the money - from that point of view I have 'lost' hundreds! So my advice to someone starting out would be to consider whether you have enough savings to replace the gear, and if you have, don't insure - underwrite it yourself!


Regarding car insurance - if you carry your instruments 'as a hobby' you are covered. However, if you do paid gigs you must have business insurance - I do, and it's around double what I'd pay for domestic insurance.

The difference with insurance for your instruments and car insurance? You could be involved in an accident that isn't your fault, the other person isn't insured and has no money, and your insurer refuses to pay out because you're in breach of the policy agreement... which could have more serious implications than losing an instrument.