Delicate work in someone else's home.
General liability, coverage for customers' instruments, tools and equipment, and auto for piano tuners, piano technicians and musical instrument repair shops.
By Sam Alishahi · CA Insurance License #4348151 · Reviewed October 2026 · How this page is researched
House calls, workshops and instruments
Piano tuners work in living rooms, churches, schools and concert halls. The usual claims are small but real: a scratched finish, a dropped action, a damaged floor, a cracked soundboard blamed on your work. General liability can cover injury and damage to others' property, but work on the instrument itself is often excluded.
If you take pianos, guitars, violins or horns into your shop, they're in your care and custody. I add bailee or customers' goods coverage for instruments in your shop or truck, a floater for your tools, and auto coverage for the van you drive to every call.
- General liabilityDamage and injuries at clients' homes and venues.
- Customers' instrumentsInstruments in your shop or vehicle.
- Tools and equipmentTuning kits, jigs and shop tools.
- Commercial autoVans used for house calls and pickups.
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.
- Services: tuning, regulation, repair, rebuilding, moving.
- Clients: homes, schools, churches, venues.
- Shop: address and value of instruments on hand.
- Tools: total value.
- Vehicles: what you drive for work.
- Revenue and history: annual figures and claims.
Piano tuner insurance, answered
If I break a string, is that a claim?
Normal wear parts are usually part of the job, not a claim. Damage beyond that, like a cracked bridge or a scratched case, may fall under liability or bailee coverage, subject to the policy terms.
Are pianos I'm rebuilding covered in my shop?
Only if you have customers' goods or bailee coverage. A standard liability policy usually excludes property in your care.
Do schools and churches ask for a certificate?
Often, especially for regular service contracts. I issue certificates once the policy is in force.
I move pianos too. Is that different?
Yes. Moving pianos for pay brings lifting injuries, cargo and auto exposures, and California regulates household movers. Tell me if you move pianos so I can quote it correctly.
Do you offer piano tuner and instrument repair 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
Insure your tuning business.
Tell me where you work and what you take into your shop, and I'll quote liability and instrument coverage together.
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
See instant prices
California businesses: answer a few questions and see prices from insurance companies in minutes.
Get a reminder before your renewal.
Tell me when your policy renews and I’ll email you about six weeks before, when it’s worth comparing. One email, no calls.