Valuing a Piano for Insurance purposes

[eliz]

Hello,

I have a Hopkinson upright piano that I bought new in 1991 for about 2,000 pounds sterling. I now require a valuation for insurance purposes for a house removal, can anyone help me with this?

Thanks Liz

[Gill the Piano]

Your piano tuner may be able to help, or perhaps the shop who supplied the piano. We can't help as it's a bit like saying 'I bought a Ford Escort in 1991, what's it worth?' Depends on where/how it's been used/kept, etc. Only an on the spot opinion can give a proper valuation.

[chrisw]

Whilst agreeing with the advice given by Gill the Piano as to the value of a second hand piano if one was about to be purchased (especially from a private vendor), for insurance purposes, if your instrument has been maintained in good order with regular tunings, I would refer to prices of similar pianos advertised on the internet. An idea as to value could be obtained from the Roberts Pianos of Oxford website of example.

[vernon]

A competent tuner/technician/ dealer (must be all three)will give you an indication of it's replacement value for a fee.
An excellent example will only be in the low hundreds mind.

[Colin Nicholson]

Liz,

How I read this is that you require a valuation for your piano ONLY for a piano removal company? .... is that right?
If so, I think the removal company just need a rough temporary figure, so they are covered on their liability insurance. Some companies have liability for around £2Million.

If you only require a value for removal (just to cover the piano from A to B), then leave it at £2K or drop a bit .... we know it won't be worth that market value, and should cover it OK. If the piano had masses of provenance, e.g. Steinway Louis XIV, boudoir grand with ornate carved cherubs/ rosewood etc.... then the removal company may not touch it.... I had this problem last year, simply to move a Steinway a couple of miles.... then if they agree, the removal price rockets.

If you require a valuation for other reasons aswell.... i.e. your own household insurance/ selling / general interest, then obviously you'll need to follow the advice given above. Photos would be needed, face to face inspection & tuning, see previous tuning & servicing invoices etc etc.

£2K is just a drop in the ocean for certain removal companies, but they just need to know its rough value as it stands, and would only be valid for the removal journey alone.