Jem/UV paranoia... someone tried to break into my house

rvj · #1 08-09-2002, 03:07 PM

Two nights ago I came home with my family and found all my doors tampered with. Someone was trying to rip me off!!! They did'nt get into the house, but they did steal my garden hose. I also found a nice little piece of evidence. A receipt from a pawn shop dated for the day of the attempted robbery. This should hopefully lead the cops right to the perp. I don't know if this was random or if someone was after my guitars. Like a bonehead, I was jammin' in the garage last week and many people drove by. So, now I'm thinking that was a huge advertisement for trouble.

The reason why I'm posting this here is because I'm wondering about insurance for my Jems, UV, and other gear. Does anybody have special insurance or riders covering their gear? If so, how do I go about getting coverage. I asked my insurance agency about this over a year ago, and the chick did'nt have a clue. Do I need to get professional appraisals on my gear, and who does this?

I feel violated and paranoid that the perp may be coming back. I've already moved some of my gear to a friend's house. I'll be seeing my insurance broker this afternoon. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

EKG · #2 08-09-2002, 03:18 PM

If you own your house, your home owners insurance should cover it. Take pics of all your stuff and store it and/or keep on file with your insurance agent. This has helped me in the past. Receipts and owners manuals also help.

**jemsite** · #3 08-09-2002, 03:24 PM

w/ homeowners, just make sure the equipment is covered... talk to your agent and specify it in writing. sometimes a policy will have fixed limits on jewelry, furniture, computer equipment, etc, so purchase an extra "insurance rider" to cover replacement cost of the gear in case it's stolen or damaged.

That will be a minimal expense and worth the headaches in case of theft and/or damage... glen

Gabe Nickelson · #4 08-09-2002, 03:39 PM

My homeowners insurance DOES NOT cover my guitars. They will only cover them once I get a written appraisal for each item. I'm with Allstate. Apparently I'm NOT in 'Good Hands'.

Gabe

Rich · #5 08-09-2002, 04:01 PM

What Gabe said. Typical homeowners insurance policies are a major pain with riders. My recomendation would be to go with Collector Insurance, try these people. No riders, no apraisals, just blanket coverage for a specific dollar amount.

Gresh · #6 08-09-2002, 04:17 PM

Right on, be sure to check YOUR SPECIFIC POLICY, Purchasing a rider policy can also be very expensive so look into other alternatives as Rich suggested. Instead of homeowners policies, these are commonly referred to as personal property insurance policies...they don't cover structures, just goodies...

As an example, I have a policy for around $30,000 but I have the lion share of that specifically allocated to jewelry and instruments because my homeowners policy would have doubled for the size of the rider I would have needed. They rip you off that way so watch out. My personal property policy covers just about everything under the sun, but requires that I itemize expensive items and verify value with either an appraisal or a reciept...photos also help. If they aren't itemized, they won't pay out more than $250 for one item. My policy even covers lost cash. It's been worth it's weight in gold (or diamonds I should say) as my wife managed to lose a $9,000 ring. They had all the info on record and paid up without batting an eye.

Moral of the story...do your homework and read everything regarding whatever policy you are considering. Follow all procedures to the letter and it will be smooth sailing, but waver off the path and they won't pay you a dime...they don't make money by paying it all out in claims.

WYLD STALLYNS · #7 08-09-2002, 04:23 PM

if u dont know kung fu, get a nice little .22 and let him know whos boss next time he or any of his friends come back.

Gabe Nickelson · #8 08-09-2002, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WYLD STALLYNS

if u dont know kung fu, get a nice little .22 and let him know whos boss next time he or any of his friends come back.

In Texas, .22's are known as 'pea shooters' and are often classified as 'toys' or in the realm of 'bb guns'. Water guns get more respect here.

A nice chromed .50 caliber Desert Eagle will do the trick. It has 3 times the effect as a regular gun.

The person will instantly be intimidated by the large, chrome cannon and flee

-if not -

Shoot them with it

-if it jams or you are stupid enough to forget to load it -

throw it at them in the general direction and it will most certainly heavly injure or kill the person.

Gabe

pri0531 · #9 08-09-2002, 05:31 PM

The one thing we have learned today is "STAY AWAY FROM GABE'S HOUSE"

Out,
GP

rvj · #10 08-09-2002, 11:33 PM

Thanks for the replies. My Broker never seems to be available, so I ended up talking to one of his employees. She claims it's covered under the major perils of my homeowners policy. (Fire, Theft, and Vandalism) I then asked if she was 100% positive. I had a friend that had thousands in recording gear stolen, and State Farm would'nt pay a dime. She then starts reading brochures to see if there was any additional info. Basically, she did'nt have a clue and could not verify what she had just told me. I can however, purchase a separate personal property policy at a cost of .52 for each $100 of coverage.
As Gresh said earlier, you can put anything under the sun on these types of policies. It also covers against accidental damage and loss, which is not covered on homeowner policies.

Gabe Nickelson · #11 08-10-2002, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pri0531

The one thing we have learned today is "STAY AWAY FROM GABE'S HOUSE"

Out,
GP

Hey! If you are on my 'good side' then you should feel well protected in my house! If not, then BEWARNED!

Gabe

aussie stu · #12 08-11-2002, 05:51 AM

Hey Bro!

I am insured with a company that specifically insures instruments for entertainers, AON insurance -
I do a few tours a year here in Aus and am paranoid as I have a 77GMC and a 7PBK on the road as well as 2 BC rich US jobs -
These guys cover me even if i leave it in the street! - Its expensive but when your a knuckle head like me, its important.

another thing too - not only do these guys have serial numbers but a 7 minute MPG of everything i have, the condition and serial numbers.

I am of the total belief that you cannot be too careful with insurance, especially after processing claims myself and being one of those people that said - "nah your not covered - you didn't dot that letter "I" "
thats a simple reality that sometime we might forget -
Insurance companies will do EVERYTHING to get out of paying you a cent.

I can suggest these steps and getting peoples names when talking to them.
insurance companies OWE you the information and there is no reason why they can't put something in writing. Don't take someones "word" for it at a counter - you might get stung.

as the wise man once said "cover thy butt"

Visit www.dungeon.ar.com.au
our new CD is comming out and a national tour

P.s, please don't can me for my shameless publicity. :-)

Knightmeir · #13 08-12-2002, 06:52 AM

Now I'm going to have to get insurance... got me all paranoid. People are always saying things to me like, "You don't need all those guitars..." and "Got an extra key to your apartment somewhere?"
I have enough knives, swords, and sticks lying around to kill a hundred people with... but you can never be too safe.

kennydoe · #14 08-12-2002, 12:33 PM

Here are two companies that I know for a fact do Musical Instrument insurance. Worth a call to their 800 number to get info. I think Sterling & Sterling used to have instrument insurance for about .07 per $100 (don't quote me on that).

http://www.seaburychicago.com/our_products.asp

http://www.sterlingrisk.com/

I'd also get an alarm system...PRONTO. I've seen your collection.

Also, maybe report the incident to the local police, since you seem to have some evidence....also, bring the receipt to the pawn shop and see if they can ID the customer. it's a long shot, but what the heck.
~K

7 Dying Trees · #15 08-13-2002, 08:20 AM

I have specialised musical instrument insurance. Am in the process of switching to a different company (have gone past their insurance limit), but generally insuring everything with them does get me a years cover etc for everything except if it is left in an unattended vehicle. Also covers accidental damage etc.

I'd go with people that deal with musicians. Might cost a bit more, but then at least they know what instruments are etc. I don't know any in the us, but they shouldn't e too hard to find.

Mainly I do this as I live with non-related people, and therefore contents insurance is pricey to say the least (although it would be nice...)

Might be an idea?