Direct personal advice:

Flagge Deutschland Phone +49 8052 9568608, Mobile +49 172 5465999, E-Mail mail@harmonia.eu

 

Frequently asked questions

If you have any further questions, we are happy to help.

Which perils are covered?

Please read our information on Covered perils

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Across which regions am I insured?

Worldwide, around the clock.

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Why is the cover so cheap?

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.

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What can be insured?

All musical instruments, bows, accessories, mouthpieces, S-bows, cases, sheet music material, stage material, electrical and electronic equipment, cables.

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What cannot be insured?

Wear material such as strings, bow strings, tubes or plates for wind instruments. The human voice, fingers and the like.

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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 pursuits (e.g. on holiday).

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How can I AS A MEMBER insure a new instrument?

In most cases, a simple e-mail with the usual information (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.

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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.

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Can I also insure myself 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.

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I don't know the value of my instrument - how can I insure it?

A sum insured must of course be stated for each instrument. For everything that can be recovered, the current new price must (may) be used (replacement value clause). Otherwise the realistic current value. A trusted instrument maker will certainly be able to help you. For many instruments, current list prices can be used.

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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 and assist you in stating the insurance value. An expert opinion is only required for particularly high-value instruments (from € 100,000).

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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.

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Is there a deductible?

In principle, we do not charge an excess. For children up to the age of 14, a deductible of 100 euros is agreed for abandonment and loss, - for children up to the age of 10, a deductible of 150 euros.
Please refer to our GTC § 4.

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I do not have an e-mail address - Can you still insure me?

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.

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How high should I set the annual appreciation of my instrument?

This depends on the instrument, but also varies with the current economic situation. Sensible values are between 0% (many wind instruments, accessories, cases, etc.) and 7% for high-quality string instruments. If you want to compensate for annual inflation, 2% is a sensible value.

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How does the insurance of particularly 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 area if necessary.

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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 temporary musicians or against acts of terrorism are just some of them. Please get in touch with us.

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I would like to sell my instrument - can I cancel 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.

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I would like to change my instrument - can I change the insurance?

Of course - e-mail is sufficient.

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I rent/loan out my instrument - is it still insured?

Yes, the insurance always refers to the respective instrument, regardless of who uses it. This also applies to commercial rentals, loaned or rented instruments.

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I would like to insure an instrument that is used by a third party (e.g. my child). Which name do I have to state in the insurance application? Mine, or that of the user? What are the alternatives to direct debit?

The decision is entirely up to you. For the coverage of your instrument, it is completely irrelevant whose name is given as the policyholder.

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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.

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Do 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 e-mail address. The insurance tax and VAT are shown. If you are a professional musician, you can claim the invoice from the tax office.

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Can I pay by direct debit from foreign banks?

Yes, the SEPA Direct Debit scheme of European credit institutions finally makes it 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 of course benefit from the regular, favourable conditions.

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How does the claims process work?

You can submit a claim online here at www.harmonia.eu, by e-mail 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 the wording of the claim, we will be happy to help you. Please do NOT send us any cost estimates or invoices.

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When is my behaviour to be classified as grossly negligent?

This question cannot be answered in a general way. Despite many years of experience, we have only encountered one case in which a bridge was glued to a violin with Ponal Express. Understandably, the removal of this wood glue was not taken care of. Fencing with cello bows should also be avoided if possible!

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What do I have to 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 case of violoncellos with a VS of €10,000 or more, transport damage is only covered if they are in a hard shell case.


Please refer to our GTC § 2 points 6 and 8.

 

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What does the replacement value clause mean?

The clause gives the policyholder the right to insure his 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 all instruments that depreciate over time, such as most wind instruments, accessories, or cases.

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What does the night-time clause mean?

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%.

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What does the clause mean for the insurance of electrical and electronic equipment?

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.

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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! As the replacement instrument must not exceed the value of the originally insured instrument, we shift the risk from one instrument to the next.

 

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