Getting instruments appraised for insurance

[Daryl Fletcher]

Several years ago I put my tuba and my wife's clarinet on my house insurance. At the time I just told them what I thought they were worth, and they were fine with that. Our insurance company has since changed. I recently got a note from the new company saying that the instruments need to be appraised. How does somebody actually go about doing that?

I'm sure that I could probably post a picture here of my 1960's MW 32 and ask how much it's worth, and probably get some very accurate answers. I also think I could make a close guess, but somehow neither of those two options seem official enough for what they're asking for. I wonder how other people do this.

Thanks.

[joshwirt]

I recently had all of my instruments appraised by my local repairman. Any competent shop should be able to do this for you with no problem. They can write up an estimate for you for what its worth. I went for full replacement value because its not a computer or stereo equipment...no two instruments are exactly the same. Its totally worth the few $$$$ to have them fully insured when considering what it would cost you to replace them!!!

-Josh Wirt