Attention Parents of Musicians: Do You Know Where Your Child’s Instrument Is Right Now?

You’ve probably heard that the human brain does not complete developing until a person is around age 25. That’s a good fact to remember as you send your student out the door or off to college with an expensive musical instrument in tow.

And don’t forget the stress and lack of sleep that often comes with schoolwork, activities and general college fun. Add those challenges into the mix, and there’s a high chance that your child’s harp, woodwind, string instrument or brass instrument may be damaged or lost at some point during the year.

Even beyond a forgetful or clumsy child, risk also lurks in the sub-par environments on buses and in classrooms, music rooms and dorms. Think moisture, cramped quarters, storage, and roommates that don’t lock doors.

You might even consider the risk posed by crime rings. Really.

In 2022, seven students at George Washington University had their instruments stolen from the music department over winter break. Total value of these nine instruments topped $20,000. Because similar thefts — some from padlocked lockers — had also happened around the same time at the University of Maryland, Catholic University and American University, police suspected criminal theft rings. Musical instruments are just that lucrative — even those considered low or mid-range in value.

Knowing all this, what are your options as a parent?

First, don’t rely on standard homeowners or renters policies for adequate protection. Most of these policies cap instrument coverage at $2,000 or less. Many exclude accidental damage or claims outside the home as well. And since you know that your instrument is being hauled in cars, buses, across sidewalks and other places well outside the home or dorm, that’s a lot of geography that wouldn’t be covered.

The reality is that you’ve already made a substantial investment, even if your child is new to the adventures of music, so your best course of action is a specialized musical instrument policy. Now, how to pick the right coverage?

1. Insure to the appraised replacement value of the instrument, factoring in projected annual increases. Remember: Well-maintained instruments, even those owned by your still-amateur student, typically appreciate in value, not depreciate. For this reason, it’s crucial that your policy provides full-replacement coverage.
2. Consider the potential cost of repairs. Even minor damage can reach well into the thousands, even for moderate-quality instruments.
3. Think about the amount of traveling your child will do with their instrument, event if it’s just on a bus or car to go a few miles to and from school. Does the policy cover transit time? In addition, does coverage extend to situations in which your child will be on a bus or plane where their instrument will be out of their direct control or checked into luggage compartments?
4. Are accessories included in the policy — things like bows or amplifiers?
5. What damage scenarios are not covered by the policy? Most, but not all, cover fire, flood, theft or accidental damage, while mold, damage from animals or insects, or general wear and tear are excluded.
6. Confirm the details you might need for a claim, and save those receipts, appraisals, serial numbers and photos.

In the end, pre-empting reality is best. One insurance study reveals that 25% of musicians — not only student musicians — have lost or had their instrument stolen. Of those, 60% blamed themselves, saying they had absentmindedly left their instrument behind on public transport, in a music venue or at a place they were staying.

Now, think of your own child, teenager or young adult. What are the odds? Probably greater than that of 1 in 4 for all musicians. After all, we love our kids, but we don’t always love their actions.

But rest easy — music insurance can take up the slack.

🎓Protecting Instruments with Insurance

• Instrument-specific insurance: Covers accidental damage, theft, loss — even during transit. Many policies offer speedy replacement or repairs based on current market value.
• Homeowners or Renters insurance with a musical instrument insurance rider: Often covers instruments with substantially different coverage at school, in dorms, or on the move — typically with a deductible.
• Documentation: Keep receipts, appraisals, serial numbers and photos to streamline claims and recovery. These will be essential especially if you choose to rely on a music rider to your homeowners or renters insurance.

✅ Summary

College music students face elevated risk of instrument damage or theft, often involving significant financial and emotional loss. With statistics showing that one in four musicians experiences loss or theft, insurance isn’t just a precaution, it’s essential. A small investment in proper coverage provides reassurance and ensures students can continue their musical education uninterrupted.