Phone +49 8052 9568608, Mobile +49 172 5465999, E-Mail Our top questions
Cover
Conclude or change insurance application
- 7. How can I AS A MEMBER insure a new instrument?
- 8. Can I also insure my instrument for a short period of time?
- 9. Can I create a policy if I live abroad (permanently)?
- 10. I don't know the value of my instrument - how can I insure it?
- 11. Is proof required for the value of my instrument?
- 12. Why does my policy have an old date?
- 13. Is there a deductible?
- 14. I do not have an email address. Can you still insure my instrument?
- 15. How high should I set the annual appreciation of my instrument?
- 16. How does the insurance of especially valuable instruments work?
- 17. How does the insurance of professional orchestras work?
Insured instruments, equipment
- 18. I want to sell my instrument. Can I terminate my policy early?
- 19. I want to change my instrument. Can I amend my policy?
- 20. I rent/lease/loan my instrument. Is it still insured and/or insurable?
- 21. I would like to insure an instrument that is used by a third party (e.g. my child). Whose name should appear in the policy?
Payment
Damage
Contractual clauses and extended coverage options
If you have any further questions, we are happy to help.
Why is the coverage so inexpensive?
We do not use expensive advertising and keep formalities to a minimum. Processes such as invoicing are largely automated and carried out electronically, thus causing a minimum of effort. We work practically completely paperless.
What can be insured?
All musical instruments, bows, accessories, mouthpieces, bocals, cases, sheet music, stage material, electric equipment, and cables.
What cannot be insured?
Materials subject to regular wear, such as strings, bow hair, and tubes or pads on wind instruments. The human voice, fingers and the like.
Can I have mobile devices (smartphones, tablets, etc.) insured?
Yes. Your mobile device does not have to be used exclusively for musical purposes, but it is only covered if you use it in the course of musical activities (e.g. metronome app or during a tour). The device is not covered if you use it for other settings (e.g. on holiday).
How can I AS A MEMBER insure a new instrument?
In most cases, a simple email with basic information regarding the item (instrument, manufacturer, year of manufacture, label inscription or embossed stamp, if available, and insurance sum) is sufficient. A confirmation will then be sent in the same way. Of course, you can also use the contact form.
Can I also insure my instrument for a short period of time?
Yes - short-term insurance policies are possible at any time. They only cost an additional, one-off fee of one third of the regular annual premium.
Can I create a policy if I live abroad (permanently)?
Yes, as long as you can provide a place of residence or a registration address within the European Economic Area, Liechtenstein, Norway or Iceland, and the laws of your country permit it (sorry to all Swiss citizens). Please enquire beforehand by telephone.
I don't know the value of my instrument. how can I insure it?
A insured sum must of course be stated for each instrument. For any item that can be covered, the current new price must (may) be used (Replacement Value Clause). Otherwise, a realistic estimate will be used. A trusted instrument maker will certainly be able to help you. For many instruments, current list prices can be used.
Is proof required for the value of my instrument?
The insurance of an instrument over € 15,000 requires proof at the time of purchase. As a rule, a copy of a certificate of value or a current list price is sufficient. In principle, however, proof may be required for each instrument, especially in the event of damage. Therefore, you should carefully keep receipts for previous insurances, invoices, etc., if available. If necessary, violin or instrument makers can provide information assist you in appraising the instrument. An expert opinion is only required for particularly high-value instruments (from € 100,000).
Why does my policy have an old date?
You have received a copy of a policy issued to all Harmonia policyholders in which you are included with your instruments as per your written confirmation. This is entirely correct.
Is there a deductible?
In principle, we do not charge a deductible. For children up to the age of 14, a deductible of €100 is agreed upon for abandonment and loss. For children up to the age of 10, a deductible of €150 applies.
I do not have an e-mail address. Can you still insure my instrument?
Yes, but only if you expressly waive the sending of invoices and information. Of course, you will still be contacted if necessary, e.g. by telephone or by post.
How high should I set the annual appreciation of my instrument?
This depends on the instrument, but also varies according to the current economic situation. Sensible values are between 0% (many wind instruments, accessories, cases, etc.) and 7% for high-valued string instruments. If you want to compensate for annual inflation, 2% is a sensible value.
How does the insurance of especially valuable instruments work?
For individual instruments from € 100,000 each, we have our own model with particularly favourable conditions and our own provisions. Please contact us and use the special form in the download page area if necessary.
How does the insurance of professional orchestras work?
Here, there is a separate model with conditions that are specifically tailored to professional orchestras. Co-insurance for temporarily-contracted musicians, or against acts of terrorism, are just some unique conditions that we address in our model. Please get in touch with us.
I want to sell my instrument. Can I terminate my policy early?
Yes, after the minimum insurance period of 12 months. However, it is advisable to offer the buyer the continuation of the insurance at the same conditions. The buyer can, of course, have the contract transferred to his or her name after termination.
I want to change my instrument. Can I amend my policy?
Of course - Emailing us is sufficient.
I rent/lease/loan my instrument. Is it still insured and or/insurable?
Yes, the insurance always refers to the respective instrument, regardless of who uses it. This also applies to commercial rentals, loaned instruments, or rented instruments.
I would like to insure an instrument that is used by a third party (i.e. my child). Whose name should appear in the policy?
The decision is entirely up to you. For the coverage of your instrument, it is completely irrelevant whose name is given as the policyholder.
What are the alternatives to direct debit?
Based on our experience, we have come to insist on issuing a direct debit mandate. The effort of a payment check is, as has been proven in the past, disproportionate to our favourable conditions. We ask for your understanding in this matter.
Will I receive an invoice, and can I deduct it for tax purposes?
You will receive an invoice electronically with each collection as a .pdf file to your email address. The Insurance Premium Tax and VAT are shown on that invoice. If you are a professional musician, you can report these values on your income tax return.
Can I pay by direct debit from foreign banks?
Yes, the SEPA Direct Debit scheme of European credit institutions makes this possible, provided that the place of residence, or the registration address, is within the European Economic Area, Liechtenstein, Norway or Iceland. Customers with foreign (non-European) bank accounts will receive an invoice with a transfer request and will benefit from our regular, favourable conditions.
How does the claims process work?
You can submit a claim online at www.harmonia.eu, by email, or simply by phone. You will receive a pre-addressed claim form that you can fill out and send directly to the service provider. If you need help with a claim, we are be happy to help you. Please do NOT send us any cost estimates or invoices.
When is my behaviour to be classified as grossly negligent?
This question cannot be answered with generalisations. In our many years of experience, we have only encountered one case in which a bridge was glued to a violin. Obviously, the removal of this wood glue could not be done in a way that the instrument was unscathed. Fencing with cello bows should also be avoided if possible!
What must I consider when transporting my instruments?
During transport in aircraft, please pack the instruments in hard cases if they are not carried as hand luggage.
In the situation of transporting a cello with an insured value of €10.000 or more, transport damage is only covered if it is stored in a hard-shell case.
Please refer to our GTC § 2 points 6 and 8.
What is the Replacement Value Clause?
This clause gives the policyholder the right to insure their instrument at its current replacement value. This can also be the list price of a new instrument of the same type and quality. This makes sense for any item that depreciates over time, such as wind instruments, accessories, or cases.
What is the Nighttime Clause?
The night-time clause stipulates that instruments in unguarded motor vehicles are not insured at night time! This is from 22:00 to 06:00 local time. The night time clause can be permanently cancelled for a surcharge of 25%.
What does the clause for the insurance of electric equipment mean?
You are not insured against damage caused by internal defects, deficiencies or ageing, e.g. if the display of a keyboard suddenly stops working without any external force.
Does a replacement instrument have to be insured separately?
The 'Replacement Instrument (EI)' option allows you to add cover for out-of-pocket expenses for rental instruments of the same type and quality that you hire while insured instruments are under repair following covered damage.
Do these rental instruments have to be insured separately? No! Because the replacement instrument may not exceed the value of the originally-insured instrument, we shift the risk from one instrument to the other.
I have an alarm system. Is the rehearsal room option still necessary?
An alarm system that is equivalent to a security system and therefore makes the trial room option unnecessary must fulfill the following conditions:
1. the alarm system must be triggered if someone gains access to the insured property.
2. it must be ensured that the alarm is transmitted in real time and noticeably. The alarm sent to you via WLAN (camera) would be sufficient.