Question 1

How much does musical instrument insurance cost?

Accepted Answer

It starts at $175 a year with Ramble, MusicPro, and Anderson for most instruments, and at $200 a year with Heritage. Many musicians pay exactly the minimum, because a single instrument or a modest rig prices below the floor. Above the floor, the premium scales with the total value you insure.

Question 2

How much does it cost to insure one instrument?

Accepted Answer

Usually the minimum premium, which is $175 a year at Ramble, MusicPro, and Anderson, and $200 at Heritage. A single instrument rarely prices above the floor, which is why a second and third item often cost nothing extra.

Question 3

Do these programs charge fees on top of the premium?

Accepted Answer

None of the five publishes a complete fee schedule, so the published minimums should be read as premium only. Ramble is the one that states its fee up front, at $10, waived on new business in Florida, Nevada, Kentucky, and Georgia and never charged for adding or removing gear mid-term. MusicPro, Clarion, Heritage, and Anderson quote premium in their published materials without listing fees either way.

Question 4

Is there a state tax on instrument insurance?

Accepted Answer

In a few states, and the rate depends on the program and the paper behind it. On a Ramble policy, Kentucky adds 1.8 percent, Florida 1 percent, and New Jersey 0.02 percent, calculated on the premium plus the fee and added to the total rather than carved out of it.

Question 5

What deductible options are there, and do they save money?

Accepted Answer

MusicPro and Ramble both start at $100 per claim rather than per item, with higher deductibles available at a reduced rate. Ramble publishes the ladder at $250, $500, $1,000, and $2,500, worth roughly 5 to 25 percent off the rated premium. Clarion and Heritage will write with no deductible at all. On a collection that prices at the minimum, a higher deductible saves nothing, so take the lowest one offered.

Question 6

Does the price go up if I add gear later?

Accepted Answer

Only by the pro-rated difference, and only if the addition takes the schedule above the minimum. Editing the collection and resubmitting charges or refunds the difference for the rest of the term. Removing gear returns a pro-rated refund, down to the floor.

Question 7

Is instrument insurance cheaper than a homeowners rider?

Accepted Answer

It is usually more coverage for comparable money. A rider raises the limit on a named instrument but generally keeps the base policy's business-use exclusion and its deductible, and a claim can touch your home policy's history. A standalone policy from $175 covers professional use worldwide and stays entirely separate.

Question 8

What does the minimum premium actually cover?

Accepted Answer

The same coverage form the program sells to everyone, which in this category means worldwide all-risk coverage with professional use included. A minimum-premium policy is not a reduced one. What differs is the supplemental limits stacked on top, such as Clarion's $250 business interruption at no cost, Anderson's included flood and earthquake, and Ramble's rental reimbursement at $2,500 a day.

Question 9

Do I need an appraisal, and does it cost extra?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the program and the value. Clarion's published materials request appraisals over $5,000 and Anderson generally over $15,000. Heritage wants an appraisal or a declared value you can justify. Ramble has no routine appraisal requirement and MusicPro does not publish one. Any appraisal fee is paid to the appraiser rather than the insurer.

Question 10

Can I get a price without itemizing my gear first?

Accepted Answer

Only with Ramble. MusicPro, Clarion, Heritage, and Anderson all need an itemized schedule before anyone can price it. Ramble's AI chat uploader writes that schedule in seconds from photos, a plain-language list, a voice note, a spreadsheet, or a forwarded receipt, and the quote follows immediately in the application.

Question 11

What does Ramble insurance cover?

Accepted Answer

Ramble provides worldwide, all-risk coverage for musical instruments and related equipment. You're protected against theft, accidental breakage, fire, lightning, water or flood damage, vandalism, damage caused by vehicles, and even mysterious disappearance, subject to policy terms.

Question 12

Where is my gear covered?

Accepted Answer

Everywhere, and in any way that it moves. Your equipment is automatically protected globally—at home, in the studio, on the road, at a gig, in your car/trailer, in a storage unit, etc. And your gear is even covered as checked airline baggage or when being shipped.

Question 13

What types of gear can I insure?

Accepted Answer

All musical instruments and most professional equipment, including: • Instruments of all types • Memorabilia and collectibles • Recording gear including consoles • Sound & lighting equipment • Camera and video equipment • Computer hardware/software • Miscellaneous accessories (cables, cases, stands)

Question 14

Doesn't my homeowners or renters insurance cover my gear?

Accepted Answer

Most people don't realize that homeowners and renters insurance severely limits coverage for musical instruments. These limits are not just for losses that may occur out in the wild (as airline luggage, on the road, etc.) but even at home. The standard limit of coverage for most policies is $2,000 for all instruments combined—that might be just a fraction of a single instrument in your collection. Itemizing and endorsing your gear can be quite a hassle, and claims are often difficult due to high deductibles and underwriters who fail to understand the nuances of your gear. Ramble is purpose-built to protect against all these gaps in coverage, making managing your collection and policy simple and fun.

Question 15

What are some examples of losses that would be covered?

Accepted Answer

• A guitar neck broken when a dog knocked it over • A mic dropped during a session and shattered • A tour bus carrying gear hit head-on by a tractor trailer • A band's tour vehicle catching fire • Wildfire-related losses • Gear stolen from homes, venues, vehicles, trailers, or storage units • A bass guitar left on a train ('mysterious disappearance')

Question 16

What is the deductible?

Accepted Answer

The policy has a low $100 minimum deductible per claim (not per item). Flood and Earth Movement have a separate deductible equal to 5% of the item value.

Question 17

What types of losses are not covered?

Accepted Answer

Common exclusions include: • Wear and tear or deterioration • Manufacturer defects • Faulty or improper repairs • Mold, rust, corrosion, mildew, insects, or vermin • Intentional/dishonest acts by you or anyone you entrust the gear to • Property loaned or rented to others

Question 18

Who runs Ramble's insurance program?

Accepted Answer

Ramble's program is administered and underwritten on a delegated basis by Bolton Street Programs, a specialty program manager. The company's capacity is supported by the Accelerant Risk Exchange.

Question 19

How do claims work?

Accepted Answer

If you experience a loss, please go through the claim submission flow in the Ramble insurance dashboard. We should be able to collect all necessary info there, including descriptions of the event, and photos of damaged or lost items. Your claim will be handled by Raphael & Associates, a specialty claims team that works with our program. Processing times may vary depending on the nature of the loss, but both our teams will be reachable by phone or email at any time. Once your claim is approved, payment can be issued as quickly as 24-48 hours by check online.

Question 20

What if I sell my gear and no longer need to insure?

Accepted Answer

No problem, just update the gear list in your dashboard and we'll automatically refund you for whatever coverage you no longer need.

Question 21

Who are you guys?

Accepted Answer

Ramble is a specialized insurance brokerage and team of techies dead set on making the lives of musicians easier. We are a licensed brokerage in all 50 states and we built our platform from scratch, with love.

Question 22

What if my gear changes in value while insured?

Accepted Answer

Hopefully it just became even more collectible! If you need to update the value of an insured item at any point, simply edit that piece of gear on your collection page and resubmit an application—whether for just that item or your entire collection. Our system will detect the change and only charge (or refund) the difference in premium. Easy as that.

Question 23

What type of insurance policy does Ramble write?

Accepted Answer

Ramble writes commercial inland marine insurance, a specialized class of coverage designed to protect movable property and goods in transit. Inland marine policies are the gold standard for insuring high-value portable assets like musical instruments—they offer broader, more flexible protection than standard homeowners or renters policies. Feel free to look into it—we think you’ll like what you find.

Question 24

How much does Ramble insurance cost?

Accepted Answer

Policies start at $175 a year. Above that, the premium scales with your collection's total insured value, the deductible you pick, and the mix of gear, since instruments, computer equipment, and general business property are each rated differently. You'll see your exact number during the application, before you pay anything.

Question 25

Can I insure just some of my gear instead of everything?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You pick exactly which items go on the policy, so you can cover the three instruments that actually leave the house and leave the rest off. Add or remove items later and we'll only charge or refund the difference. The $175 annual minimum applies no matter how small the selection is.

Question 26

What deductible options do I have, and how do they affect price?

Accepted Answer

You can choose $100, $250, $500, $1,000, or $2,500, and it applies per claim rather than per instrument. A higher deductible lowers your premium, from roughly 5% at $250 up to 25% at $2,500. If your collection prices out at the $175 minimum, the deductible won't change what you pay, because the premium is already at the floor.

Question 27

How do I get a quote, and how long does it take?

Accepted Answer

First you catalog your gear, by uploading photos, typing or talking through what you own, or dropping in a spreadsheet. Then you start an application, pick the items you want covered, and answer a short form. Your quote appears immediately, and you can pay right there. Most applications are approved in one business day or less.

Question 28

Do I need serial numbers for my gear?

Accepted Answer

No, they're optional. You can type one in when you add an item, and it helps if you ever need to prove ownership after a theft, but nothing captures them for you automatically and no application is held up for missing them.

Question 29

What if I have a really large collection?

Accepted Answer

Tell us and we'll handle it. Our concierge team will catalog the whole thing for you, working from a spreadsheet, an old appraisal, or a pile of photos. Large collections are the ones most likely to be under-covered by a homeowners policy, so we'd rather look at yours properly than have you rush through a form.

Question 30

Is my gear covered on a plane?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Your gear is covered worldwide, including as checked airline baggage and as a carry-on. Fly to the gig without a second thought.

Question 31

Is my gear covered at the studio?

Accepted Answer

Yes! At home, in the studio, at the venue—anywhere you create, your gear is protected.

Question 32

Is my gear still covered if I use it for professional purposes?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Unlike homeowners and renters policies that exclude “business use,” Ramble covers your gear whether you play for fun or for a living. Gig, record, and get paid—you're covered.

Question 33

Is my gear covered while gigging or touring?

Accepted Answer

Yes! On stage, in the van, in the trailer, at the hotel, or in transit between cities—touring is exactly what we built this for.

Question 34

Is my gear covered in my car, van, or trailer?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Your gear is covered on the road, including in your vehicle and trailer—even theft from a vehicle. If something happens, we'll always walk through the details with you.

Question 35

Is my gear covered in a storage unit?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Gear kept off-site in a storage unit is covered, just like it is at home.

Question 36

Is my gear covered while it's being shipped?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Ramble is built on inland marine coverage—the gold standard for property in transit—so your gear is protected while it's being shipped.

Question 37

Is my gear covered if I drop it?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Accidental breakage from drops and impacts is covered—the cracked headstock, the dropped mic, the tumbled pedalboard. Accidents happen; that's the whole point.

Question 38

Is my gear covered if it gets stolen?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Theft is covered—from your home, a venue, your vehicle, a trailer, or a storage unit.

Question 39

Is my gear covered in a fire?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Fire, lightning, and wildfire-related losses are all covered.

Question 40

Is my gear covered from water or flood damage?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Flood and water damage are covered. (Flood and earth movement carry a separate deductible equal to 5% of the item's value.)

Question 41

Is my gear covered in an earthquake?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Earthquakes and earth movement are covered, with a separate deductible equal to 5% of the item's value.

Question 42

Is my gear covered if it just… disappears?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Even “mysterious disappearance”—the bass left on a train, the pedal that vanished after the show—is covered.

Question 43

Is my gear covered outside the US?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Coverage is worldwide and travels with your gear automatically, wherever you go.

Question 44

Is a rental covered while my gear is being repaired?

Accepted Answer

Yes! If a covered loss puts your gear in the shop and you rent a substitute, we reimburse the rental cost, up to $2,500 a day and $25,000 per occurrence, with no deductible on that reimbursement. The gig doesn't stop while the repair happens.

Question 45

Is gear I just bought or borrowed covered?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Newly acquired gear is automatically covered up to $25,000 for 30 days from the day you get it, so it's protected before you've even added it to your collection. Instruments you borrow or rent are covered up to $25,000 too; just let us know within 48 hours of borrowing.

Question 46

What if a repair lowers my instrument's value?

Accepted Answer

You're covered for that too. Even a perfect repair can leave a fine instrument worth less than before the loss, so our diminished value coverage pays the difference between the pre-loss value and the post-repair market value, as determined by an independent certified appraiser, subject to policy terms.

Feature	Ramble	MusicPro	Clarion	Heritage	Anderson Group
Minimum annual premium	$175	$175	Not published	$200 ($350 business)	$175 most instruments
Published minimum, or quote-only	Published, quoted on screen during the application	Published, quoted once the equipment list is entered	Quote by phone or form; $3,000 minimum insured value online	Published	Published, with different minimums by instrument type
Membership needed for the best rate	No	No, same rates for everyone	Association discounts offered	No	Yes, for preferred association rates
Appraisal generally requested above	No routine appraisal requirement	Not published	$5,000	Appraisal, or a declared value you can justify	$15,000
What it takes to get a number	Send gear in any form; the quote follows immediately	Enter the itemized equipment list first	Request a quote and speak with an agent	Submit an application	Supply a schedule; from scratch, one to two business days

How much does musical instrument insurance cost?

Musical instrument insurance starts at $175 a year.

Minimum premiums across the specialty market.

Ramble

MusicPro

Clarion

Heritage

Anderson Group

What actually moves the price.

What a minimum-premium policy actually buys.

When an appraisal becomes part of the cost.

How the deductible changes the premium.

At what point a policy starts paying for itself.

What each program needs before it will quote you.