As you may have seen on national television, San Antonio and South
Texas have been ravaged by flooding since last Saturday.  I lost a
good portion of my shop and five players, none of which belonged to
customers.  In Texas the standard homeowners policy does not cover
damage by "rising water."

I have two coin-op pianos which I have insured under the "Fine Arts"
portion of my homeowner's policy and they ARE covered.  I do not how
how the law varies from state to state, but by insuring under the fine
arts classification I can receive compensation for damages.

The local music stores are full of flooded pianos: Steinways, Yamahas
with Disklaviers, Kawaiis and others.  Most are total write-offs,
including at least three reproducers: two Ampicos and one Duo-Art.

I have often wondered why more of these pianos did not survive;
I now have just a hint of an answer.

Ed Gaida
egaida@txdirect.net