Keep the shop in tune.
Instrument and record inventory, consignment pieces, school rental fleets, lesson rooms and repair benches, all on one plan for music retailers.
By Sam Alishahi · CA Insurance License #4348151 · Reviewed October 2026 · How this page is researched
Vintage guitars, rentals and lesson rooms
A music store holds things that are hard to value: a vintage guitar on the wall, a consigned amp, a rack of records. Some of it isn't yours, and some of it is out in the world as a student rental. That mix needs care when you set property limits.
Lessons bring kids into small rooms, which makes abuse and molestation coverage worth a look. Repair benches add customers' instruments in your care. I build retail coverage around those three pieces.
- Business personal propertyInstruments, records, gear and fixtures.
- Property of othersConsigned pieces and instruments in for repair.
- Inland marineRental instruments out with students.
- Abuse and molestationLessons with minors, where offered.
What underwriters will ask
Having these ready means I can go to market on the first call. The quote form asks for the same things, and anything you don’t know yet can wait.
- Store: address, size and alarm.
- Inventory: total value and your top-value pieces.
- Consignment: value of items you hold for others.
- Rentals: number of rental instruments out.
- Lessons: teachers, students and their ages.
- History: current policies and any past claims.
Music store insurance, answered
Are consigned instruments covered?
Not automatically. Property of others needs its own limit, and your consignment agreement should say who insures what.
What about rental instruments that get damaged?
Inland marine can cover your rental fleet away from the store. Rental agreements often make the renter responsible too.
Do lesson teachers need their own insurance?
Employees are usually included on your liability policy. Independent teachers renting rooms often need their own.
Are vintage pieces covered at full value?
Rare items may need to be scheduled with an appraisal. Otherwise a loss may be settled at cost.
Do you offer music store insurance outside California?
Yes. Clients across the country send the same quote form. Sam Alishahi is licensed in 48 states and Washington, DC and places policies there directly. In Florida and Washington, where Sam's licenses are still being issued, a partner agency in your state helps in the meantime. The shopping across carriers works the same way. Rules, minimums and markets differ by state — see insurance requirements by state.
Official sources
Send your shop details. I'll shop it.
Inventory, rentals and lessons are enough to start.
Alishahi Insurance · Saman Alishahi, independent insurance broker, California License #4348151. General information, not a quote or a promise of coverage; coverage depends on underwriting and the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy actually issued.
Tell me how to reach you. I’ll take it from there.
Takes about 30 seconds. Your application link comes by email right away, and you get an update at every step until your quotes are ready.
(877) 711-4545Answered 24/7 · CA License #4348151
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Tell me when your policy renews and I’ll email you about six weeks before, when it’s worth comparing. One email, no calls.