I'll be flying from the the U.S. to Europe in July with a fairly valuable acoustic guitar on Continental Airlines. I anticipate that the airline will make me check it as luggage and require me to sign a damage waiver holding them harmless for any damage that might occur.

I don't have homeowner's insurance. Anyone know an insurance company/agent that offers insurance for a single flight and/or for a short period, etc. for a reasonable price? Any other suggestions? Anyone ever flown on Continental with a guitar?

Thanks.

Continental is one of the few airlines that allows guitars to be carried on board and stored in the overhead racks. They are very accomodating.

Heritage Insurance and Clarion Insurance are respected instrument insurers but I don't know if they offer short term policies. I think you'll be fine on Continental though.

Jim

Ive been lucky and managed to carry on most of the time. If you have to let go of your guitar try to convince staff to prevent damage by carrying to gate by hand and delivering to you by hand at destination.
If that doesnt work and you dont have a flight case wrap it with the plastic sealer they have for bags, I do it twice.
Or you can even pack it in a box as though you are shipping it and check it in that way.

Phone the Airline company and ask their polocy on taking a guitar aswell, many airlines make a provision for allowance.

Or if you are able to afford a seat for your own guitar it can stay right with you and you can even have its meal if they offer one.

Insurance is great but loss or damage is painful
so I thought I'd offer you my methods.
Sorry I don't know an insurance carrier but hope this helps anyway.
Good Luck.

If you do eat an extra flight meal make sure you have insurance for food poisoning

I used to live in Houston and have flown to Europe many times on Continental from their home base there and also from Newark. Most of their flights to Europe at that time were on 777s, which have enormous (deep and tall) overhead compartments. I frequently flew with very large carry-ons (larger than a guitar) because I was transferring to various third world airlines and was afraid I would lose luggage if I checked, and Contintal never batted an eye. If you can confirm that you're on a 777, I don't think you will have any problem.

Don't know about insurance for a single trip (I've got all my instruments covered on a separate policy), but check pasts posts if you have to put your guitar in the belly of the beast...We've had lots of threads about Calton Cases, but I think jojo posted about an alternative shell case that was very much cheaper than a Calton (and lighter) that he liked alot. Doesn't protect against theft...which to me is a bigger concern, as I do use Calton cases for flights, and check my guitars...but it sounded like a very decent alternative to the $$ of a Calton, or to the risk that some cranky flight attendant may decide not to let you on the plane with a guitar that day.

I purchased a separate policy through State Farm for my guitars. Covers breakage, theft... even an occassional gig as long as your not a full time musician. Premium for 1 guitar would probably be less than $100/year. They need pictures and bona fide appraisals to underwrite.

I did this because many homeowner policies have limits on individual personal items. We learned this the hard way when my wife lost a piece of jewelry. State farm only paid $2,000 through our homeowners policy even though it was worth more than that.

I too have my instrument insurance through State Farm (in addition to homeowner's and car). Just got the remewal notice - $112.00/year for $20K+ coverage and it covers instruments, PA and recording equirpment. I play out, but it is not my day job. Can't remember what the deductible is ($250-$500.00?), but it is less than my homeowners deductible. VERY reasonable.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: TTerral,

I've got a few guitars insured through Heritage. I've never had to make a claim so I don't yet know how difficult they are to deal with in that regard.