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Tool Insurance

  • 1.  Tool Insurance

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 4 days ago
    I am in the Los Angeles area and my rate went up 51% from last year (from $424 to $641.) I am with PLC Insurance/Hanover Insurance, which used to be the PTG preferred insurance back in the day. Are there any recommendations for a good insurance carrier?



  • 2.  RE: Tool Insurance

    Member
    Posted 4 days ago
    Hi,
    For reference, I am in a suburb of Boston. Hanover Ins. through PLC. Last year was 682.00, this year only a slight increase to 705.00

    Deb

    5 Tarr's Lane WEST
    Rockport, MA  01966
    978-546-8428





  • 3.  RE: Tool Insurance

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 4 days ago
    Check with your homeowners or even car insurance company and explain exactly what you want and need. Or talk to an independent insurance agent who sells a variety of products. 





  • 4.  RE: Tool Insurance

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 4 days ago

    It's all about where you live. I wish my PLC/Hanover was as low as either of yours. Mine went from $730 to $850. 



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    Geoff Sykes, RPT
    Los Angeles CA
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  • 5.  RE: Tool Insurance

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 4 days ago

    I'm sure it also has to do with the amount of coverage. This is helpful. Thank you.



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    Kayoko Forrest, RPT
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  • 6.  RE: Tool Insurance

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 4 days ago

    I am with State Farm.  I asked my agent if they knew of insurance for small businesses and they said that they actually had a piano tuners policy!  It seems another tuner asked and they wrote him up a policy and I have been happy with my rate; $500 per year ($41 per month) for $2 M coverage.



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    Blaine Hebert RPT
    Duarte CA
    (626) 390-0512
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  • 7.  RE: Tool Insurance

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 3 days ago

    As of this year I have signed on with a company called Ergo Next Insurance.  This a general liability policy that covers up to one million in damages.

    It does not include tool insurance - just damage to client's property. I'm 75 and only working part time, no separate workshop, etc. 

    In 48 years I've never filed a claim.  With the money paid to Hanover over the years I could have replaced my tools several times over. 

    My only reason for wanting liability insurance at this point is to be covered in case of some crazy catastrophic event involving a client's home or piano. 

     



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    Gerry Johnston
    Haverhill, MA
    gj@gjpianotuner.com
    www.gjpianotuner.com
    (978) 372-2250
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  • 8.  RE: Tool Insurance

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 3 days ago
    Regarding the liability policy, many schools and hospitals now requires we carry some sort of liability insurance. I had to get this in order to be allowed on campus at a local university. When I was in Hawaii, I had to have it in order to tune a piano in a hospital. Talk to your local agent. I got mine through State Farm.





  • 9.  RE: Tool Insurance

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 3 days ago

    I also used State Farm when I was in California. I felt like it was very good coverage for a decent price and was happy with the service I got out there. 



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    Benjamin Sanchez, RPT
    (256) 947-9999
    www.professional-piano-services.com
    www.FromZeroToSixFiguresBook.com
    www.PianoCraftTechnicalSchool.com
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  • 10.  RE: Tool Insurance

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 3 days ago

    Hi Kayoko,

    Insurance for piano technicians is tricky because critical protections like CCC, E&O, and Inland Marine are usually excluded from standard General Liability (GL) unless specifically added.

    In California, these specialized coverages are almost impossible to find today. I've consulted at least five brokers over the last two years, and none could find these extras. PLC/Hanover and State Farm simply don't offer these professional add-ons in the state anymore. In fact, a State Farm agency recently explained that because business policies are categorized under their "fire" department, they aren't writing any new policies in California at all right now.

    If you only need General Liability for institutional work, most schools only require a basic Certificate of Insurance (COI), and there are much cheaper options available. It feels misleading for the PTG to partner with PLC, implying their policies are customized for us when they often lack these essential protections. We have to do our own due diligence to know what is actually included; there's no reason to pay a premium for PLC or State Farm if they aren't providing the specialized coverage we actually need. 



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    Elisha Katamura RPT
    Katamura Piano Service
    Fresno, CA
    (559)765-7373
    https://www.katamurapianoservice.com/
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  • 11.  RE: Tool Insurance

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 2 days ago
    Hi Elisha,
    You've done your homework and I appreciate this info. I'm looking for the basic Certificate of Insurance that is required by the school district I service. 
    Just to be clear, PTG no longer is recommending or partnering with PLC. They did once upon a time but that was a while ago. I appreciate everyone's input on this matter. 





  • 12.  RE: Tool Insurance

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 2 days ago

    Did you check with Chubb?



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    Parker Leigh RPT
    Winchester VA
    (540) 722-3865
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