Filing (yet another) claim with an airlines
 

Son just returned from his Europe trip and Northwest Airlines/KLM managed to wreck his cello case (cello is fine). Since these cases cost $700 I'm now trying to figure out the claim. Several issues -- maybe somebody can shed some light on.

First off, the tour company screwed up and the cello went on a different airline (with a chaperone) than my son. (Long story - but their fault.) I assume that person has to file the claim?

Second, I know airlines do not cover musical instruments, but I wonder about the case though?

Third, I have both trip insurance and a rider on my homeowner's that covers the cello, the bow, and the case in full. (It was appraised just prior to the trip for this rider. Cellos are worth a ton of money.) I'd prefer to hit up the airline first, and file a claim on the homeowners last -- sound right?

Fourth, what the hell do these airlines DO to cause a very sturdy, fiberglass case to CRACK in two places!

Fifth, I feel like I JUST finished with that annoying claim for my other son who lost ALL his clothes on US Air!!! Jeez!

Well any suggestions are appreciated.

I can't help you...but I sure understand your frustration.

Last summer, British Air lost my husband's bags ......a suitcase full of new clothes and an ice chest full of meat (we live overseas). They eventually found the suitcase (3 weeks later) but - fortunately - never found the ice chest. So they had to reimburse us for the lost item.

Luckily - when I had to travel with my kids' instruments (trumpet and sax) - they could go with us as carry on.

I wish you luck with your claim!!!!

No advice, but I feel your pain. The last time I saw my suitcase was last Tuesday in Rome. Supposedly, I should recieve it by FedEx tomorrow, but we'll see. Anyway, my husband and I were standing at the baggage claim searching for our bags while and airline worker is taking bags off the conveyor belt and just THROWING them into a pile! I was soo irritated! I know you should carry valuables with you, but my glasses are in my suitcase and I'm interested to see if they are still in one piece! Good Luck!

I would never entrust a musical instrument to an airline wliwl, but that is like the old saying of closing the barn door after the horse is out of course.

wliwl, trying to avoid filing a claim under your homeowners is good thinking. Insurance companies are getting notorious for not renewing HO policies due to claims, even though I understand the cello etc. was covered under a personal property endorsement.

Have you talked to a rep at the tour company, also have you talked to the airline and have you talked to the company that wrote your trip insurance?
I would start with these people. Do document every conversation, the name of the rep, the date and the time and what was said etc. Do take some photos of the damaged case also.

Best wishes and let us know the end result.

Thanks loveitaly. I already spoke to one person today and I should have gotten their name! He just got home last night, so I haven't done much about this yet.

I couldn't not entrust the instrument to the airline. He was part of an orchestra touring in Germany and Czech Rep. Unfortunately, the cellos are too big to carry on! Actually that is how the problem started, because the plane for some reason couldn't haul the 14 celli. I know professionals even haver troublle traveling with their cellos (which are often worth hundreds of thousands of dollars - or in some instances are in fact priceless). They used to be able to buy them a seat, but FAA regulations really don't permit stuff to be in seats. Sometimes they can convince an airline to store it above board. One famous musician told the crew - my viola is worth more than this plane. Ha!

Hi wliwl, I didn't know that airlines no longer allow a musical instrument to "have their own seat". I would be worried sick about an expensive musical instrument in the hands of airline baggage handlers. What a shame!

Do document everything starting "right now" wliwl. Can't you tell I was in the insurance business for decades ;;)

Kids, my late DH's Godmother was known to comment "being a parent is a lifetime sentence!" I think I mentioned that comment to you when your other son had the luggage problem, LOL. Take care!

The American Federation of Musicians has a listing of instrument allowances by airlines. I am a professional orchestral musician as well and saw celli in a seat less than a month ago.

Write Yo=Yo ma ask how he travels with his :)

Yeah! I suspect Yo-Yo doesn't check it through!

We have experience traveling with something that can't be replaced, but not a musical instrument. This was an Irish dancing solo dress, custom made in Ireland for my daughter and delivered to us in the States just prior to her competing in the world championships in Glasgow in 2002. We called the airline and explained the situation. They assured us we could take the dress on the plane. But they wanted to check the dress in its special bag once they saw it at the airport. We refused, called people, produced the name of the person who told us, etc. and took the dress with us.

Once we got to London and a few weeks later took the dress on the train (with us, not with luggage) and back on Ryan Air (also with us) no one batted an eye. I guess they are used to those bags---although several people actually came up to us and asked what was in it :)

Follow up post:

Received a $250 check from Trip Mate insurance. Better than nothing!!!

Thanks for the update.

I always appreciate when people close out the loop and let us know the resolution.

Can you file for the final $500 (or so) on your homeowners since it was recently appraised? Or is your deductible high and it isn't worth a small claim? good story value?

surfmom:
I don't know about the homeowners. I'm hesitant to file with them - and we have a $250 deductible.

Anyway, the case is being hauled around with a huge duct tape patch on it. We'll go look for a new one as soon as I have time.

I hope I'm done filing claims for travel stuff for awhile!!! (Had to file a $2200 claim with US Air last January over a permanently lost suitcase - THAT was hell.)

Hi wl,

>I have both trip insurance and a rider on my homeowner's that covers the cello, the bow, and the case in full....I'd prefer to hit up the airline first, and file a claim on the homeowners last -- sound right?<

You are overinsured, but that is all right.

There is no need for you to bother fighting with the airline.

Call your insurance agent on your homeowner's policy. Give him/her the particulars and file a claim. That is what you paid them for.

They will then get their money back from the airline.

((I))

pilgrim, my violin instructor told me some musicians purchase seats for their instruments--have you done this or known anyone who has?

Yes, some musicians do this and get away with it (probably in first class!) -- but often airlines won't let you, since it is not an approved thing to be in a seat (FAA regs state it would have to be stowed under the seat or in overhead compartments...).

Maybe shipping large instruments through a very reputable carrier is the way to go (if there is such a thing!).

Ira,
Thanks for your thoughts. Actually we're not overinsured for the cello (worth $$$$$$) but the case is sort of gray area. For instance, Trip Mate wouldn't go by the appraisal for the case (but they would have for the cello - it's in a different category) but by its original purchase price, amortized (is that the right word) over its age, then they came up with a $250 max coverage for "luggage" (which surprised me).

Hi wliwl, unless the cello case is insured under a floater policy (aka Inland Marine Policy) your HO Policy would not cover the damage.

And as much as I hate to say it I would discourage you from even "talking" to your agent about this. Notes will be put in the computer. Inusrance Companies are getting real touchy about claims or even inquirying about a claim. They want insureds to handle the small amounts and only turn in claims for large amounts. That is why it is best to have a large deductible on your HO Policy and save some money on the premium.

It is not fair I know but that is the way it is. One big reason I sold my insurance agency. Best wishes to you.

LoveItaly:
I agree. This was a special "rider" for the cello - but we decided it wasn't worth filing a claim just for the case. Now, if the cello had been wrecked, that would be different! I've heard too many horror stories about people getting their policies canceled after placing a claim. Insurance -- you can't live with it and you can't live without it!

Hi wliwl, good comment (sort of like men yes? LOL). I remember when HO Policies all had only a $50.00 deductible wliwl, and insureds never had a problem if say they turned in a claim that was for $150.00. The Ins.Co. paid $100.00 and unless the insured had "to many claims" or fraud was suspected the insured did not have a problem. That all changed. I found it so difficult to explain to insureds (especially senior citizens) that their $500.00 claim might not be in their best interest to turn in to their Ins.Co. I owned an Independant Insurance Agency so I represented many top Insurance Companies..but it got to the point I was no longer "proud" of the services we offered. I, when the insurance industry changed, encouraged all of our insureds to take the highest deductible they thought they could live with. I had many happy years in my business but the last decade was not my best moments.

And your dear son..I am so sorry..isn't being a parent a constant "what now?" feeling. Best regards to you.