 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Elise W.
Date: 2004-08-05 18:44
Along with the new instrument (R13), the store I bought it from offers 2-year crack insurance for $250. If there should be a crack, I get to test out and get a new one for free (or $250, depending on how you look at it). Otherwise, the Buffet warranty covers one year, and they'd just send a new joint. A) What's the likelihood that I'd have a crack if I'm careful as to what temperatures I expose it to? B) When are instruments most likely to crack? C) Is the Buffet warranty sufficient? Could a new joint (most likely the upper joint) ruin the sound or would it just change?
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Author: kdennyclarinet
Date: 2004-08-05 23:26
I don't claim to know all the best options on this matter, however, I will share information about my own coverage. I've taken out a separate policy through my homeowners/automobile insurance company. If you'd like to know the company's name, feel free to e-mail me. It is a large company that is well-known and well-respected. My policy is a "Personal Articles: Musical Instruments" policy. It covers three professional level clarinets, two student clarinets, one student flute, and one student trumpet. I pay $188 annually for all of this coverage that carries a zero deductible. ZERO deductible. The annual fee is based on how much value of a claim that you have. So, if you were to only cover one professional clarinet, it is around $50 per year give or take a few dollars. What's nice about it is that it does not expire as a factory warranty or additional limited warranty will.
The policy will cover theft, accidents (by yourself or others), damage (natural and unnatural causes--hence cracks), fire, flood, and other natural disasters... etc. The list goes on and on. It's basically a no-fault policy. Accessories such as mouthpieces, ligatures, barrels, and special bells are all covered and should be included in your estimated value when you first take out the policy.
I have made three claims since I began the coverage approximately six years ago. The first was when I dropped and chipped my $175 mouthpiece. I purchased a new one, sent in the receipt, and was promptly sent a check for the full amount. That year my coverage paid for itself. The second claim was when I accidentally closed my case while my ligature was not in the proper place. It was a gold Bay ligature (if you are familiar with these, you know they are very fragile). The next time I opened my case, I found a "pancaked" ligature. Once again, I bought a new ligature, turned in the receipt, and was reimbursed. Finally, my Bb R13 that I had owned for five years developed three cracks while I was living in Nebraska and going to school. Because selecting a new instrument takes time (over a year in my case), the insurance claim was turned in and I was simply mailed a check for the claimed amount I had on the policy for that specific clarinet. Although the cracks were pinned and the clarinet does not play "the same", I still have it and use it as a back up or for outdoor concerts. I did not even have to turn in the cracked clarinet for the claim. Amazingly, my annual rate has not increased due to my claims.
Hopefully, you can see how this policy has been a lifesaver for me. I encourage you to look into a policy like this through your own homeowners/auto insurance company.
Regards,
K. Denny
BME, MM, DMA
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Author: Jim E.
Date: 2004-08-06 03:51
The R13 we purchased in August 2000 cracked this past March at the top trill key hole. A policy for year #2 would not have helped with this as we were in year #4. It was skillfully pinned for well less than $100 and seems to play as well as ever.
The 1970 R13 I bought this spring through John Butler who sold it on consignment has never cracked.
There may well be something to be said for buying an older instrument.
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Author: Rick Williams
Date: 2004-08-06 16:14
Like K. Denny I'd suggest contacting your insurance agent for a rider or seperate coverage policy on instrument. $250/2yr sounds a bit steep for a single instrument. I have a policy on my two clarinets and camera equipment which I use professionally and it is quite reasonable.
Rick
Best
Rick
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Author: Ralph Katz
Date: 2004-08-07 12:31
Look at this thread:
http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=124609&t=124480
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Author: Elise W.
Date: 2004-08-07 16:43
Thanks for all the tips. My instrument is already covered as a rider under my household insurance, but I don't think damage (natural or unnatural) are included. I'll call up the company, but if damage is not covered (and if it is, what the fix is for it is a big question mark), how could I fill the gap and get natural damage coverage?
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Author: Jim E.
Date: 2004-08-09 04:03
I had a few thoughts since I posted 2 nights ago. From reading your post again, I take it you have already purchased the instrument, and your only issue is the insurance offered.
There have been enough posts of newish R13s cracking on this board (search R13 and cracks or cracked,) that if I had it to do over again, I probably would not buy another new grenadilla R13, at least not until the apparent cracking problem is solved.
The $250 insurance premium could be put toward the difference in cost for a greenline (composite) R13, or the price difference of the similar offerings of Selmer or LeBlanc.
What happens if the first instrument cracks and is replaced, and then the replacement also cracks? Would this policy provide a second replacement?
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Author: kdennyclarinet
Date: 2004-08-09 05:01
In my case, my new (replacement) clarinet is covered under the policy as a new instrument. While I still have the older, cracked instrument, it is no longer covered (for obvious reasons). So, if something should happen to the new clarinet (heaven forbid, because it is the most amazing instrument I've ever played) then it would be covered under the policy.
K. Denny
BME, MM, DMA
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