Rental Protection Plan

The Renter’s Protection Plan covers damage to or theft of a rental outfit and limits the renter’s financial responsibility. When this plan is active, the renter is not responsible for paying the full value of the instrument if it is damaged or stolen due to an unforeseen event.

A small monthly fee is added to the rental at the rates listed below (plus tax).

Definition of Full Value:

For the purpose of this plan, full value means the instrument’s current purchase value, calculated as:

the amount the customer has already paid toward purchasing the instrument plus
the remaining balance required to purchase the instrument in full.

This is the total amount the renter would otherwise be responsible for without the Protection Plan.

Covered By Protection Plan

Basic Maintenance is defined as the following:

Bridge Service: Straightening a leaning bridge, minor carving of feet, parchment, or replacing a warped bridge.
String Maintenance: Annual replacement due to dullness, unwinding, or breakage.
Structural: Glue failure consistent with regular use (preventative climate care).
Tuning Mechanics: Peg fitting, lubrication, & fine tuner cleaning.
Setup & Adjustments: String action/buzzing, nut dressing, fingerboard planing, & bridge height.
- Soundpost reset or adjustment.
Minor Upkeep Cleaning: Removal of light rosin buildup, oils, and sweat from the body and fingerboard.
Hardware: Tailgut replacement and endpin adjustment (Cello/Bass).
Minor Cosmetic Damage: Scuffs, small scratches, chipped corners.
- Violin/Viola: Scratches less than 1 inch in length.
- Cello/Bass: Scratches less than 3 inches in length.
Small Cracks: Top cracks or wing cracks (starting at the F-hole) consistent with regular use.
- If/when cracks develop, they will continue to grow if not repaired.

All maintenance services listed above are covered by the protection plan.

Renter is responsible for addressing maintenance issues in a timely manner; issues exacerbated as a result of inaction will be considered “Accidental Damage” and be subject to relevant copay listed below.

Monthly Protection Plan Fees

VIOLIN	VIOLA	CELLO	BASS
$5	$6	$7	$8.50

Damage, Loss, and Copay Policy

If a rental instrument is damaged, the renter will be charged a copay based on the type of damage and the level of the rental.

Repairable Damage

Damage is considered repairable when:

Environmental negligence or poor climate control
The instrument/bow can be restored to rentable condition.
The total cost of repair is less than the instrument’s full retail value.
Major cleaning beyond maintenance cleaning
Side or rib cracks and punctures
Any top crack exceeding the following measurements
- Violin/Viola: 2 inches
- Cello: 4 inches
- Bass: 4 inches

In these cases, the renter is responsible for the applicable repairable-damage copay listed below.

Protege Level Repairable Damage Copays

VIOLIN	VIOLA	CELLO	BASS
$25	$25	$60	$150

Artist Level Repairable Damage Copays

VIOLIN	VIOLA	CELLO
$50	$50	$120

Non-Repairable Damage, Loss, or Theft

Damage is considered non-repairable when:

The instrument or bow cannot be restored to rentable condition.
The cost of repair is equal to or greater than the instrument’s full retail value.

The following situations are always classified as non-repairable:

Loss or theft
Vandalism (including, but not limited to, carvings, intentional breakage, or throwing the instrument)
Any damage above the neck joint

In these cases, the renter is responsible for the applicable non-repairable copay listed below.

Please refer to the fee schedule below for exact copay amounts.

Protege Level Non-Repairable Copays

VIOLIN	VIOLA	CELLO	BASS
$150	$150	$300	$500

Artist Level Non-Repairable Copays

VIOLIN	VIOLA	CELLO
$300	$300	$600

Bow Maintenance vs. Damage Replacement

Covered Maintenance (No Copay) The Protection Plan covers routine maintenance required through normal, careful use. This includes:

Bow Hair Wear: Regular breakage or stretching from age.
Mechanical Service: Lubrication or replacement of thumb screw and/or brass eyelet worn from regular use.
Grip/Winding: Tightening or re-gluing the leather thumb grip or silver/nickel winding if it becomes loose.
Tip Place Replacement: Replacing or reattaching a tip plate that has separated from the tip due to glue failure.

Damage & Replacement (Copay Required) If a bow is returned in a condition that is “Beyond Economical Repair,” it is classified as damage rather than maintenance. A copay will apply for a replacement bow in the following scenarios:
- Snapped Head or Tip Plate: Any break or chip at the head of the bow (usually caused by dropping, tapping, or misuse of the bow).
- Stick Fracture: A vertical or horizontal snap in the wood or carbon fiber stick.
- Warping from Tension: Permanent warping caused by leaving the bow tightened while not in use.
- Cracked Frog: Structure cracks in the ebony frog caused by impact or overtightening.
- Loss or Theft: Total replacement of the bow for any reason where the original cannot be returned.

Protege Level Non-Repairable Copays

VIOLIN	VIOLA	CELLO	BASS
$15	$15	$25	$50

Artist Level Non-Repairable Copays

VIOLIN	VIOLA	CELLO
$35	$35	$45

EXCEPTIONS TO COVERAGE:

*Blackerby Violin Shop will not reimburse renters for any repair work done at another shop.

*Coverage is void if:

Account is not current on payments
Instrument is checked into stow-away luggage on an airplane (carry-on is permitted).
Instrument is taken outside the continental United States.
Repairs or adjustments are made at another shop, or by someone other than a Blackerby staff member.

The Protection Plan is required for ALL level rentals.

If a rental instrument is destroyed or stolen, the shop will replace the outfit after the renter meets the above copays. In the event of theft, the renter must present an official police report to the shop within 10 days of theft to avoid paying full retail value of the instrument.

ACCRUAL OF MONTHLY PURCHASE CREDIT

The value paid towards a protection plan does not count toward accumulated rental credit.

Purchase credit may be applied only towards the purchase of the same type of instrument.

Rental Credits may not be combined with any other contract or discount.