OT: Home Owner's Insurance when Studio is at home

[Dizzi45Z]

I run my recording studio out of my house. The basement of my house is used for the studio. I have great Business Insurance, but it doesn't seem to matter. Our current homeowner's insurance seems to freak out over the fact that we have a business here. They have threatened to drop us several times and luckily they have held on to us in the long run. I talked with a Home Insurance Broker today and he said that it would be near impossible to find somebody else to insure our home with a recording studio.

Do any of you run your recording studio out of your home? How do you deal with the home owner's insurance stuff.

[Styles Bitchly]

I also have a home-based studio with two insurance policies - one for my home, and one for my business. My homeowner's policy is with Farmers, and my business insurance is a "rider" through RLI Corporation. I would check with other insurance companies concerning this. Don't let your current provider try and scare you into higher premiums, or lower coverage. Remember, they're in this for the money, so they'll tell you whatever they want in order to make the bottom line more profitable.

Good Luck

[Dizzi45Z]

Are home insurance companies more trusting with a Rider?

I don't fully understand. I have a separate business insurance, is this considered a Rider then? Or is it only considered a rider if it is put together by the original home owner's insurance?

[SWSPHX]

Yeah for the sake of insurance, just get a gear rider on your gear and instruments. Not that expensive.

[ryan de topanga]

I've got equipment insurance through the Musician's Union (Local 47 in Hollywood), of which I am a member. It covers my studio gear and even when you factor in the cost of paying union dues on top of the premium, it's a really good deal.

http://www.afm.org/why-join/u-s-bene...services#equip

[Cliffy_Boy]

don't forget to cover the assets on your ilok. If its stolen, you may be SOL

[ryan de topanga]

Zero Downtime option is worth it on iLok. I remember seeing mine attached to a 22" cinema display as it fell backward, in slow motion, me shouting NOOOOOOOOOO!! (in that half-speed way). Totally shattered. Took days to sort out. Lost a lot more than $30. worth of time and effort.

[Cliffy_Boy]

zero downtime is a must but it doesn't help much if someone walks off with your iLok.

[Steve@ZooWest]

I have State Farm. They cover both homeowners and business separately; they're easy to get along with, and don't require an equipment list - so I have photo evidence and of course could produce receipts.

Had a bad house fire awhile back (studio not damaged). State Farm was very good to me...