I was busking in the subway station. I had my guitar case open for tips. A guy grabbed the cash out of the case and ran. When I chased him, his buddy grabbed my Martin guitar and ran the other way. I lost $200 in cash and a $3,000 guitar.
Key Takeaways
- Cash Limits: Most policies limit coverage for “Money/Currency” to $200. If you had $500 in tips, you are only getting $200 back.
- “Off-Premises” Theft: Homeowners policies cover theft away from home, but again, the “Business Pursuit” exclusion puts you at risk if you admit you were busking (working).
- MusicPro/Heritage Coverage: They cover the guitar theft 100%. They usually do not cover the cash theft.
- Personal Safety: Insurance covers the gear. Don’t fight a thief. Let the guitar go.
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is “Money Limitations.”
Cash is hard to insure because it is untraceable. I can claim I had $5,000 in the case; the insurer can’t prove I didn’t. So they cap it at $200.
For the guitar, the trap is the “Unattended” clause. If you stepped away to go to the bathroom and left it, denied. If it was grabbed from your presence (Robbery), covered.
The Investigation (My Analysis of Street Performance)
I checked the policies for “Street Perils.”
MusicPro
- Guitar: Covered. Theft is a core peril.
- Cash: Not covered.
Renters Insurance
- Guitar: Likely denied due to “Business Use” (Busking = Income).
- Cash: Covered up to $200.
Robbery vs. Theft
- Robbery: Taking by force/threat. Covered.
- Theft: Taking by stealth. Covered.
- Mysterious Disappearance: “I turned around and it was gone.” Covered by specialists, denied by some standard policies.
[IMAGE: Photo of an open guitar case on pavement with a few dollar bills inside]
Comparison Table
| Item | MusicPro | Renters Insurance |
| Guitar ($3k) | $3,000 Payout | $0 (Biz exclusion) |
| Cash ($500) | $0 | $200 (Sub-limit) |
| Deductible | $100 | $500 |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Seed the Case, Stash the Cash: Don’t let cash build up. Keep $10 visible. Put the bills in your pocket every 20 minutes.
- Strap In: Keep the guitar strap around your body even when resting. It makes “grab and run” harder.
- File Police Report: You need it for the claim. “Robbery of musical instrument.”
- Get a Specialist Policy: Busking is professional use. You need the pro policy.
FAQ
Does insurance cover me if I get punched?
Health insurance covers you. Liability insurance covers if you punch them.
What if someone kicks the guitar?
Vandalism/Malicious Mischief. Covered by MusicPro.
Do I need a busking permit for insurance?
Technically, illegal acts can void insurance. If you are busking illegally (trespassing), they could deny, but rarely do.