Possession is 9/10ths of the law ...

[iiipopes]

Glad you got the horns back. Go to the nearest 4-year college or university that has a music degree program and ask the music department secretary (notice I referred you to the person who really knows what's going on instead of the person "in charge") what they do when they check instruments out to students. Get a copy of their paperwork, put your community band's name on the top of it, modify it as necessary for the contact information you want, and go from there. No need to reinvent the wheel. You can decide if the instruments are valuable enough to require a deposit.

Regarding insurance: if the band has insurance, that may cover it depending on the terms and the deductible. But as far as the guy is concerned, probably not, as intentional acts are usually excluded from insurance coverage.

Hey Mike S: take in a long weekend, a good gig and a good game, whether in person or on TV. Add beverage of choice. The feeling will soon pass.

Hey Rick D -- true story -- a colleague of mine tried a personal injury auto accident case. Th defense was that the light was green all four ways, which you said was "impossible" in the context of your lawsuit, and which was the conventional wisdom of this case's experts, as well. The plaintiff's lawyer actually bought that actual particular controller from the city and hooked it up in the basement of the courthouse with an alarm to go off during trial if it malfunctioned. In the middle of trial, it malfunctioned and the alarm went off. When everyone regained their composure, he asked the judge to have both side's counsel and the jury accompany him to the room where the traffic controller was set up. It had malfunctioned. All four lights were green. The case settled quickly.

[Eupher6]

I got the horns back, thankfully.

Eupher6 said that he has the musician sign a receipt. Do you use something special like a premade multipart form? Did you get a reciept book from a printer or office store? Or do you use a form that was made up by you or a member of the band?

harold said the insurance adjuster would ask if a report has been filed with the police. You imply your band can afford insurance! Neither of the bands I volunteer with have purchased insurance. How do you put a value on hundreds pieces of out of print music? Or instruments that are older than dirt?

Doesnt the home-owners or auto insurance cover the instrument the musican borrowing from the band?

Is it necessary to collect a damage deposit at any specific valuation of the instrument?

Wow -- this is starting to sound like someone should write a manual....

I just made the receipt up on the computer, had each borrowee sign and date two copies, one of which I kept for the band files and the other he kept.

We never had any theft issues, but I firmly believe in what somebody else said - the attorney I think - that people pretty much take care of something they're signed for.

It seems to me that for an insurance claim to go in on any instrument under any policy, the instrument has to be identified by description, model number, serial number, and with a photo if at all possible.