Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Musical Instruments?
Here's how musical instruments coverage works and where limits can show up.
- What does homeowners insurance cover for musical instruments?
- How much would you get back? Real-life scenarios
- Are pianos, home studios, and other big-ticket gear covered at home?
- Hobbyist vs. professional: who's covered?
- How to make sure your instruments are fully covered
- How much does it cost to insure an instrument on a homeowners policy?
- What Lemonade data shows about instrument claims
- Before we go
- Musical instrument insurance FAQs
Yes, personal property coverage on your homeowners insurance covers musical instruments from named perils like fire and theft, up to your policy limits and minus the deductible. Accidental damage, lost gear, and professional use aren’t included. Extra Coverage adds protection for accidental damage and lost gear, with a $0 deductible. Instruments that earn you money need commercial coverage.
TL;DR
- Instruments fall under personal property (Coverage C) on your homeowners policy
- The base policy covers named perils like fire, theft, and burst pipes. It doesn’t cover drops, loss, wear, flood, or earthquake
- Your deductible applies, so a cheap instrument may not be worth a claim
- Extra Coverage adds accidental damage and mysterious loss protection, worldwide, with a $0 deductible
- Instruments that earn you money need commercial coverage
What does homeowners insurance cover for musical instruments?
Your instruments are part of your personal property, which sits under Coverage C. That’s the part of your policy that pays for your stuff, from sofas to saxophones.
Coverage C is usually set as a percentage of your home’s dwelling limit, often 50% to 70%. Your instruments share that limit with everything else you own. A big claim for a piano leaves less for the rest of your belongings in the same event.
Then there’s how you get paid. Replacement cost pays what it takes to buy a similar item new. Actual cash value (ACV) subtracts depreciation, so a 10-year-old guitar pays out far less than a new one costs.
Here’s how common situations play out:
| Peril | Base homeowners | With Extra Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Fire or smoke | Covered | Covered |
| Theft | Covered | Covered |
| Burst pipe | Covered (sudden and accidental) | Covered |
| Lightning or power surge | Covered | Covered |
| Accidental drop | Not covered | Covered |
| Mysterious loss (you can’t find it) | Not covered | Covered |
| Flood | Not covered | Not covered |
| Earthquake | Not covered | Not covered |
| Humidity or wear | Not covered | Not covered |
| Pests | Not covered | Not covered |
Did you know?
Your instruments are generally protected away from home too, for covered perils like theft, up to your policy’s personal property limit.
How much would you get back? Real-life scenarios
| What happened | Instrument value | No insurance | Base homeowners ($1,000 deductible) | With Extra Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acoustic guitar stolen in a burglary | $4,000 | $0 | $3,000 | $4,000 |
| Student violin falls down the stairs | $1,200 | $0 | $0 | Up to $1,200 |
| Baby grand damaged by a burst pipe | $25,000 | $0 | $24,000 | $25,000 |
| Keyboard left behind on a train | $3,500 | $0 | $0 | $3,500 |
| Beginner guitar stolen | $600 | $0 | $0 | $600 |
This table assumes a $1,000 deductible and that any instrument with Extra Coverage was scheduled before the loss. It also assumes replacement cost and no instrument sublimit on the base policy.
What happened in each case:
- Stolen guitar: Theft is a covered peril, so base homeowners pays $3,000 after your $1,000 deductible, while Extra Coverage pays the full $4,000.
- Violin on the stairs: A drop is accidental damage, which base homeowners doesn’t cover, but Extra Coverage helps pay to repair or replace it, up to $1,200.
- Baby grand and the burst pipe: A sudden pipe burst is a covered peril, so base pays $24,000 after the deductible, and Extra Coverage pays the full $25,000.
- Keyboard on the train: Leaving it behind is a loss, not a named peril, so base pays nothing, but Extra Coverage covers mysterious loss.
- Stolen beginner guitar: The $600 loss is smaller than your $1,000 deductible, so base pays $0 and a claim isn’t worth filing.
Pro Tip
If an instrument is worth less than about 2x your deductible, filing a claim rarely makes sense. Schedule anything you couldn’t replace out of pocket.
Are pianos, home studios, and other big-ticket gear covered at home?
Pianos
A piano is likely the most valuable instrument in your home, and it can’t be moved out of harm’s way. A fire or burst pipe can take out a piano in one go. A burst pipe is covered under base homeowners, but humidity swings and gradual damage are typically excluded.
How to protect your piano:
- Keep it away from windows, vents, and exterior walls.
- Hold humidity steady, ideally between 40% and 50%.
- Get it tuned and inspected on a regular schedule.
- Check nearby pipes, water heaters, and appliances for leaks, and follow a home maintenance checklist to catch problems early.
Home recording studios
Extra Coverage can add accidental damage and mysterious loss protection for:
- Instruments
- Amps, but only if the instrument you play through them is scheduled on Extra Coverage
Not eligible for Extra Coverage (your base policy still covers these for named perils):
- Microphones
- Speakers and headphones
- Interfaces and monitors
- Computers
Kids’ and school band instruments
Instruments your kids own and play at home are usually covered as your personal property, whether they were bought, gifted, or handed down. Rented, borrowed, and school-owned instruments are less clear. Coverage depends on your policy, and the school or rental shop may have its own protection, so check with them first.
Hobbyist vs. professional: who’s covered?
Homeowners insurance is built for personal use. How you use an instrument matters as much as what it’s worth.
| Musician type | Base homeowners | Extra Coverage | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner or child | Covered for named perils, minus your deductible | Optional | Base is usually enough. Consider Extra Coverage if drops are likely. |
| Hobbyist with a collection | Covered, but shares your Coverage C limit | Eligible for personal-use instruments | Schedule the pieces you couldn’t replace out of pocket. |
| Vintage collector | May pay less than a rare piece is worth | Eligible with documentation | Get an appraisal, then schedule the instrument. |
| Gigging semi-pro (paid even occasionally) | Not covered for business use | Not eligible | Look at a standalone or commercial policy. |
| Professional musician or DJ with paid residencies | Not covered for business use | Not eligible | Get commercial inland marine coverage. |
| Music teacher giving lessons at home | Limited business property coverage | Not eligible for teaching instruments | Look into separate home business insurance |
The home teacher row matters most for homeowners. Many homeowners policies cap business property at low limits, and personal liability coverage typically doesn’t extend to business activities. If a student trips on your steps during a lesson, your homeowners policy may not respond. Separate home business insurance fills that gap.
Pro Tip
Earning money from an instrument makes it business use, which Extra Coverage doesn’t cover.
How to make sure your instruments are fully covered
A home studio is a mix of instruments and gear. Your base policy covers all of it for named perils like fire, theft, and burst pipes.
Extra Coverage (scheduled personal property)
Extra Coverage is our term for what the industry calls scheduled personal property coverage. You add specific instruments to your policy for broader protection. It comes with a $0 deductible and covers scenarios a base policy won’t, including accidental damage and mysterious loss.
- Accidental damage: Dropped it, knocked it over, or stepped on it? We’ve got you.
- Mysterious loss: Can’t find it after rehearsal, a move, or a long trip? You’re still covered.
- Anywhere in the world: From the living room to the rehearsal space to an overseas flight.
Standalone instrument policies and commercial coverage
Extra Coverage isn’t the only option. Here’s how the three main routes compare:
| Lemonade Extra Coverage | Standalone instrument insurer | Commercial inland marine | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who it’s for | Homeowners with personal-use instruments | Musicians who want a dedicated instrument policy | Professionals, touring acts, and businesses |
| Deductible | $0 | Varies by insurer | Varies by insurer |
| Agreed value | No. Replacement cost up to the scheduled amount | Often available | Often available |
| Flood or earthquake | Not covered | Varies by insurer | Often available as an option |
| Business use | Not covered | Varies by insurer | Covered |
| Separate policy | No, it’s an add-on to your homeowners policy | Yes | Yes |
If you play for pay, a standalone or commercial policy will probably fit better. If you play for fun, Extra Coverage keeps everything under one policy.
How to add an instrument in 3 steps
- Add the item. Open the Lemonade app and tap Extra Coverage.
- Upload your proof. Add photos, plus a receipt or appraisal. Receipts or appraisals need to be from the last 5 years. If you don’t have a receipt, a signed appraisal from your local music shop works too.
- File a claim in the app. If something happens, you can start your claim right in the app.
When you first sign up, you can get 14 days of temporary blanket Extra Coverage while you gather your paperwork.
How much does it cost to insure an instrument on a homeowners policy?
Scheduling a musical instrument with a Lemonade homeowners policy costs about $1/month on average (based on Lemonade internal data, 2026). Your exact price depends on your instrument’s value, the coverage you choose, and your location. Here’s what the median looks like by instrument:
| Instrument | Value (median) | Estimated annual cost (median) |
|---|---|---|
| Acoustic guitar | $1,025 | $3.50/year |
| Electric guitar | $1,306 | $4.00/year |
| Violin | $11,000 | $20.00/year |
| Keyboard or digital piano | $4,000 | $9.00/year |
| Baby grand piano | $12,313 | $74.00/year |
Not sure what your instrument is worth? Read our guide to receipts and appraisals.
What Lemonade data shows about instrument claims
Here’s what we see across Lemonade homeowners policies.
Did you know?
Pianos and keyboards are the most-scheduled instruments on Lemonade homeowners policies, at 22.7%. Guitars are close behind at 20%, and cellos come in third at 4.5%. (Based on Lemonade homeowners insurance internal data as of November 2026).
Top 3 causes of instrument claims
1. Water (33% of instrument claims): The most common cause. Sudden pipe bursts are covered, but slow leaks and humidity aren’t.
2. Theft (32% of instrument claims): Nearly as common as water. It’s covered on your base policy, and scheduled gear has a $0 deductible.
3. Fire (17% of instrument claims): The rarest of the three, but it can take out a whole collection at once.
Before we go
Not every instrument needs the same protection. Starter gear is usually fine on your base policy. Anything you couldn’t replace out of pocket belongs on Extra Coverage, with a $0 deductible. If you play for pay, look at a commercial policy.
Musical instrument insurance FAQs
Does homeowners insurance cover a piano?
Yes, a piano is covered as personal property for named perils like fire, theft, and burst pipes. You’d still pay your deductible, and the claim would count against your Coverage C limit. Humidity, wear, and accidental damage aren’t covered, so a high-value piano is worth scheduling with Extra Coverage.
Are my instruments covered outside my home, for example in the car or at rehearsal?
Yes, for covered perils like theft, your instruments are generally covered away from home too, and that includes the car or a rehearsal space. Your deductible still applies. Accidental damage and loss only count when the instrument has Extra Coverage.
Does homeowners insurance cover rented or borrowed instruments?
It depends on your policy and the rental agreement. Instruments you rent or borrow may get some personal property coverage, but the owner or rental shop may have its own protection that applies first. Check your paperwork before you count on it. If you damage someone else’s instrument, liability coverage may help. Ask us if you’re unsure.
Is humidity or temperature damage covered?
No, humidity and temperature damage are typically excluded, because they happen gradually. Homeowners policies cover sudden events like fire or a burst pipe, not slow wear. Extra Coverage doesn’t change that. The best fix is prevention: a humidifier, steady room conditions, and regular maintenance.
Do I need an appraisal to insure my instrument?
Not always, because a receipt is enough for most instruments. If you don’t have one, a signed appraisal from your local music shop works too. You’ll also upload photos. A new appraisal is smart for vintage or high-value pieces.
Are amps, cases, and accessories covered?
Yes, amps, cases, and accessories are covered as personal property under your base policy, for named perils only. An amp can also get Extra Coverage, as long as the instrument it plays through is already covered. Cases aren’t eligible for Extra Coverage, so accidental damage and loss aren’t covered for them.
A few quick words, because we <3 our lawyers: This post is general in nature, and any statement in it doesn’t alter the terms, conditions, exclusions, or limitations of the policies issued, which differ according to your state of residence. You’re encouraged to discuss your specific circumstances with your own professional advisors. The purpose of this post is merely to provide you with info and insights you can use to make such discussions more productive! Naturally, all comments by, or references to, third parties represent their own views, and Lemonade assumes no responsibility for them. Coverage may not be available in all states. Please note that statements about coverages, policy management, claims processes, Giveback, and customer support apply to policies underwritten by Lemonade Insurance Company or Metromile Insurance Company, a Lemonade company, sold by Lemonade Insurance Agency, LLC. The statements do not apply to policies underwritten by other carriers.