The hidden risk of unprotected instruments: Are yours properly covered?

For many High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNWIs), musical instruments are far more than tools for performance. From a 1920’s ‘Golden Era’ Steinway grand piano to an 18th-century Italian violin¹, or even an exquisitely hand-carved oud or tabla passed down through generations; they are cherished heirlooms, rare collectibles, and cultural artefacts.

Yet despite their value, both emotional and financial, these assets are often overlooked when it comes to protection. Whether displayed in a private music room, kept in storage, or used occasionally for performance, fine instruments carry risks that many owners underestimate.

Here’s what every collector, musician, and custodian of fine instruments should know about protecting their prized pieces, and why underinsurance may be the greatest threat of all.

Instruments are fragile assets

Musical instruments, by nature, are delicate. Their materials - wood, ivory, even animal skin - respond dramatically to environment, age, and use.

• Climate damage: Heat, cold and humidity swings can warp wood, crack lacquer, or loosen joins. A violin kept in a room without humidity control can deteriorate silently over time, especially if it already has extensive repairs².
• Handling risks: Whether played occasionally or regularly moved between homes or studios, instruments are highly susceptible to accidental drops, knocks, or tuning stress.
• Storage and display: Even carefully displayed instruments can suffer. UV light, dust, and poor support may lead to fading, structural damage, or worse.

Proper preservation requires more than just a velvet-lined case. It requires a clear understanding of risks and comprehensive protection.

How to protect your instruments properly

Whether your instrument is a performing tool or an investment-grade piece, here’s how to ensure it stays safe:

Environmental control

Store instruments in stable conditions:

• Maintain humidity levels between 40–60%³.
• Avoid direct sunlight or UV exposure.
• Use humidifiers or dehumidifiers for wood instruments, depending on climate.

Professional storage or display

If an instrument isn’t in regular use, consider climate-controlled professional storage, or display it with proper support, away from light and heat.

Maintenance and handling

• Schedule regular servicing or tuning by a professional who is familiar with your instrument type.
• Use gloves when handling valuable antique instruments.
• Transport in protective, padded cases, preferably in-person or via a trusted courier.

Don’t disregard the unusual

It’s not just grand pianos and vintage violins that require care. The value and risk can be just as high with:

• Handcrafted ouds or sitars with mother-of-pearl inlays.
• Vintage saxophones, guitars, and wind instruments.
• Rare harps, harpsichords, or marimbas.
• Percussion instruments such as tabla or djembe, made from rare or aged materials.

Whether the piece is one-of-a-kind, culturally significant, or linked to an iconic musician, it deserves to be treated as a fine asset such as a painting or classic car.

The overlooked risk: insurance and underinsurance

For many collectors, insurance is often an afterthought. Yet, when it comes to instruments with six- or even seven-figure values, inadequate or outdated cover can turn an accident, theft, or environmental damage into a significant - and often irrecoverable - loss.

Why this matters:

• Standard household policies typically impose strict single-item limits and often exclude items in transit.
• The market for rare and vintage instruments has seen notable growth⁴. If your instrument was last appraised a decade ago, its current value could be far beyond what your policy reflects.
• You may be inclined to lend your cello to a conservatoire student or display your oud at an exhibition, however, many policies won’t cover instruments once they leave your home or in public settings, unless specifically arranged.

Our Private Clients team is here to help

Don’t let hidden risks, outdated valuations, or insufficient cover turn an irreplaceable treasure into an unrecoverable loss. Our Private Clients team are here to help, with tailored advice, precise appraisals, and bespoke insurance solutions. Ensure your collection is properly covered by contacting us today.

Sources

1. Steinway & Sons: What makes a Steinway Different: A Brief History of Steinway’s Best-in-Class Reputation

2. Strings Magazine: 6 Ways to Protect Your Instrument from Damaging Winter Chill
3. Cinch Storage: 6 Essential Tips for Storing Musical Instruments Safely
4. Money Digest: Unexpected Musical Instruments That Are Worth A Ton Of Money