Why Do I Need Equipment Insurance?

No matter how careful you are, risks can be everywhere. Someone could accidentally trip over or spill something on your instruments, stereos, or microphones, causing serious damage. You could have an outdoor gig and wind or water could ruin your gear. Plus, it’s common for renters or homeowners insurance to exclude coverage for equipment used for business activities. This could leave your equipment and instruments without coverage against theft and damages, especially outside of your residence.

What Does Musicians' Gear and Equipment Insurance Cover?

Gear insurance for musicians covers instruments, speakers, microphones, and other gear on and off-premises. Musicians equipment insurance can also cover claims for loss, theft, damage, and damages from transportation to venues or events where you’ll be performing.

What is the Cost of Musicians Equipment Insurance?

The cost of equipment insurance for musicians is $7.50-$15 a month plus the cost of your base annual policy. If you purchase musicians insurance and opt in to add $2,000 in gear coverage, for example, your monthly payment will be $26 ($18.50 for the base policy plus $7.50 per month for equipment and instrument insurance).

What Is Not Covered by Musician Instrument and Equipment Insurance?

Some of the exclusions for musicians gear insurance include: Earthquakes – Earth movements are not covered by Insurance Canopy. However, if you experience loss or damaged equipment as a result of fire, theft, or explosion, that is covered. Government action – Seizure or destruction of property caused by a government authority is not covered. However, if the destruction of property occurs due to a fire, losses can be covered. Volcanic action – Loss of equipment due to volcanic activity is not covered. But, if your loss occurs from a resulting fire, airborne shock waves, ash or dust particles, or lava flow, then damages may be covered. Flooding – Floods, water, tidal waves, surface water, and overflow of water are not covered. However, if water results in a fire, explosion, sprinkler leakage, or theft then your losses can be covered. Dishonest acts – dishonest acts by your employees, partners, members, officers, trustees, or representatives are not covered. Equipment and personal property that is not covered by music equipment insurance include: Business accounts, bills, valuable papers, etc. Aircraft/Watercraft Precious metal jewelry Living organisms

Music Equipment Insurance

Q: What Is Music Equipment Insurance?

Investing in your musical instruments and gear is expensive. Replacing or repairing your gear has an even heftier price tag. Equipment and gear coverage (aka Inland Marine) is an add-on to musicians insurance that can help with costs arising from damages to or theft of your gear. Insuring your equipment allows you to prepare for your next gig with ease knowing Insurance Canopy can protect your gear.

Q: How Much Does Music Equipment Insurance Cost?

Musician instrument and equipment insurance costs $6-$12.50 a month in addition to the cost of your general liability policy, depending on how much coverage you need. $2,000 coverage per policy year ($7.50+ per month) $5,000 coverage per policy year ($15+ per month) If you increase the coverage amount of your musicians gear insurance, you also increase the policy price. For example, if your equipment coverage goes to $5,000 per year, your policy prices also increases by $15 a month.

Q: Does Equipment Insurance Cover Theft Or Damage During Transportation?

Depending on the situation, damage to your equipment and instruments during transportation may be covered. While all equipment claims are handled on a case by case basis, equipment insurance can cover things like: You get into a car accident on the way home from a gig and your gear gets damaged Your equipment is left in a locked vehicle or trailer overnight and gets stolen You set up your gear at a venue the day before your gig and a fire breaks out, causing smoke and water damage that destroys your instrument

Q: How Is The Value Of My Equipment Determined?

Insurance Canopy’s musicians gear insurance determines the value of your equipment as the lowest of the following amounts: The cash value of the equipment The cost to restore your property to its condition before the damage occurred The cost to replace your equipment with identical equipment

Protect the equipment, gear, and instruments you need to perform. Quote, purchase, and download your Certificate of Insurance (COI) in minutes.

What Is Music Equipment Insurance?

Equipment and gear coverage (Inland Marine) pairs with musicians liability insurance to help cover costs arising from damage to or theft of your instruments and gear. Almost half of the musicians who insure with us choose to add equipment and gear coverage.

Insuring your equipment means you can book your next gig with confidence, knowing Insurance Canopy can protect your essential gear.

Why Do I Need Insurance for Music Equipment?

No matter how careful you are, risks are everywhere, and real musician claims show how fast gear damage adds up. Someone could accidentally trip over or spill something on your instruments, soundboards, or microphones. Wind or unexpected rain at an outdoor gig could ruin your DJ equipment, or your gear could be stolen from your van. Nearly 50% of all claims musicians file with Insurance Canopy are for damaged or stolen gear.

Insurance Can Save You Thousands

Without music equipment insurance, you could be stuck paying thousands out of pocket to repair or replace your instruments and gear.

Stolen music property from vehicle - $10,000

Water damage to microphone, speakers, and other equipment - $2,900

Cello knocked over and damaged by wind - $2,000

Get covered instantly.

Speakers damaged in an auto accident- $2,800

Equipment damaged after a fall - $500

Claim amounts are estimated based on internal knowledge and research. All policies have conditions, limitations, and exclusions. Please read the policy for exact verbiage. Claim scenario circumstances vary in nature, and similar claims do not guarantee coverage.

What Does Music Equipment Insurance Cover?

Gear and equipment insurance for musicians provides protection against damage or theft of instruments, speakers, microphones, and other gear. If your gear is stolen or damaged, musical instrument insurance can help cover repair or replacement costs, so you’re not paying out of pocket to keep the show going.

How Much Does Music Equipment Insurance Cost?

Music instrument and equipment insurance costs $7.50–$15 a month in addition to the cost of your general liability policy, depending on how much coverage you need.

$2,000 coverage per policy year ($7.50+ per month)
$5,000 coverage per policy year ($15+ per month)

For example, if you purchase musician insurance and opt in to add $2,000 in gear coverage, your monthly payment would start at $26 ($18.50 for the base entertainer liability policy plus $7.50 per month for equipment and instrument insurance).

How to Add Music Equipment Coverage to Your Policy

If you already have an annual policy, adding music equipment insurance (Inland Marine) is as easy as keeping the beat:

1. Sign into your user dashboard

2. Click “Add A Policy”

3. Add Inland Marine insurance and choose your limits.

If you’re new to Insurance Canopy, you can add Inland Marine while filling out your musicians insurance application.

What’s Not Covered by Music Equipment Insurance?

Music equipment insurance typically doesn’t cover:

Earthquakes: Earthquakes and other earth movements are not covered
Government action: Seizure or destruction of property caused by a government authority is not covered
Volcanic action: Loss of equipment due to volcanic activity is not covered; however, if your loss occurs from a resulting fire, airborne shock waves, ash or dust particles, or lava flow, then damage may be covered
Flooding: Floods, water, tidal waves, surface water, and overflow of water are excluded from coverage; however, if water results in a fire, explosion, sprinkler leakage, or theft, then losses may be covered
Dishonest acts: Dishonest acts by you, your employees, partners, members, officers, trustees, or representatives are not covered

Property not covered by music equipment insurance includes:

Business accounts, bills, and valuable papers
Aircraft and watercraft
Precious metal jewelry
Living organisms

Frequently Asked Questions About Gear and Equipment Insurance for Musicians

Does My Homeowners Insurance Cover My Musical Instruments?

Probably not fully; it’s common for renters or homeowners insurance to exclude or offer only minimal coverage for equipment used in business activities (like playing gigs). This could leave your equipment and instruments without coverage against theft and damage.

Each homeowners and renters policy is different. Check your policy or talk to your agent to find out exactly what’s covered.

You get into a car accident on the way home from a gig, and your gear gets damaged
Your equipment is left in a locked vehicle or trailer overnight and gets stolen
You set up your gear at a venue the day before your gig, and a fire breaks out, causing smoke and water damage that destroys your instrument

No insurance policy is designed to cover intentional damage or loss.

How Is the Value of My Equipment Determined?

Insurance Canopy’s music equipment coverage determines the value of your gear as the lowest of:

The actual cash value of the equipment
The cost to restore your property to its condition before the damage occurred
The cost to replace your equipment with identical equipment