52J Conn STOLEN

[The Big Ben]

Your tubas are worth way more than my car, and your insurance is way less (and Clarion is a MUCH smaller insurance company than a big-name auto insurer). Apples and oranges, but just sayin...

Insurers like Clarion are counting on the fact that owners of expensive tubas care enough about their instruments that they will do most anything to keep from making a claim. Fewer losses = lower rates.

There is such a thing for collector cars. I have one 30 year old car and two 30 year old motorcycles and pay about $175/yr. for total coverage. (To qualify I have to own a 'normal' car and carry full coverage on it.) Same reason- owners of collector cars take care that they won't need to make a claim.

[keegan watson]

I'm very sorry to hear about all of the stolen tubas that pop up here on the forum.

When I first read through this thread, I though someone asked about GPS tracking devices for our tubas. I skimmed back through and didn't see this in any threads (maybe I dreamed it after watching too many spy movies). Dream or not, with more crimes of a serious nature (meaning life threatening) for the police to deal with, this may not be a bad thing to consider. There is a device that works with Apple products that is waterproof and durable (per the Apple website, I haven't tried this device and I'm not endorsing it, just trying to be informative) that will track any device within 10 feet of accuracy. There is a $12.95 monthly fee but $155 and some change per year is cheaper than replacing a tuba and would be a great help with locating the tuba with the police. It seems most people, based on the reviews, use it for dogs, backcountry exploration and for children. Here is the link for the device:

http://store.apple.com/us/product/H7522 ... jUxMDA5MDg" target="_blank

Under any/all circumstances, I would still insure my instruments by a rider on home owner's/renter's insurance or through a private company like Clarion. The question was asked about discounts with Clarion - I don't know about AFM membership but I know membership with the College Music Society (CMS) provides a discount. Here is their website for interested parties: http://www.Music.org" target="_blank