Interestingly, I know of very few musicians that have a separate insurance policy on their gear. Since I began playing I decided that the equipment was worth insuring and went about shopping for a great policy. My policy, which is provided by Erie Insurance Exchange, covers all of my gear against ALL HAZARDS! It's covered while transporting in my van, it's covered while I'm performing, it's covered when stored at home in my office, or even when it's in my van. It's covered against fire, theft, flood, and even negligence if some drunk happens to dump a pitcher of beer over the keyboard or amp. And, it is covered for full replacement value - no depreciation. And, I insure everything from the keyboard stand to the mic and everything in between. The cost is an outrageous $76 per year - yep, that's it.

Some folks are probably skeptical about this, however, I did have an occasion to make a claim several years ago when my van was broadsided on I-95 near the Baltimore Beltway when some idiot talking on his cell decided he was in the wrong lane to make the exit. He slammed my full-size Ford Van at 65 MPH, I spun out and went over an embankment and slammed into some rip-rap boulders 50 feet off the roadway. He hit me right behind the sliding door, right where the keyboard was sitting. My beloved PSR-5700 was toast, but I was, fortunately, not injured. My van was totaled.

My van and all the gear was towed to a repair facility close to home that was owned by a friend of mine. As we were transferring my gear into my wife's car, I got a sick feeling when I picked up the keyboard case. I called the insurance agent, they arrived 30 minutes later, took some photos, and said "Don't worry, your covered." I was on the phone an hour later and called Washington Music, they overnighted me a brand new 5700 and the insurance company picked up the entire tab.

This should be food for thought for those of you that DO NOT carry a separate policy on your gear. Make a few telephone calls - you will find good coverage at a premium you can afford. Realistically, you cannot afford to be without it.

All the best,

Gary