We provide professional appraisals and consulting services in a confidential manner for individuals, collectors, museums, auctions houses, dealers, insurance companies and attorneys.

Why Appraisals are necessary:
• Homeowner and Renter Insurance Policy Coverage
• Insurance Loss/ Damage Claims
• Evaluation prior to repairing, selling or purchasing an instrument
• Airline and Shipping companies insurance claims
• Donation/Contribution or Estate Settlements
• Authentication or documentation of fraud
• Estate planning, equitable distribution
• Disillusionment of Marriage division of property
• Litigation purposes - Expert Witness Services available

How we research:
A & D Music has compiled a 40 year library of over 450 Books, Magazines, Trade Magazine, Catalogs as well as Musicologist, Auction houses and Internet Expert resources to value your instrument.
The Appraisal can include current listed price, date or date range, make, model, serial number, manufacturing materials, original retail price, manufacturing and production information, measurements, identifying marks, historical information, photos, original advertisement, family information as well as detailed parts information.

IRS Qualified Appraiser Qualifications

http://www.irs.gov/publications/p561/ar02.html#d0e1653

In February 2007 the Internal Revenue Service has put a restriction for appraisals claimed for donated items (including musical instruments) or settlements of Estates. A report from a "Qualified Appraiser" must be presented to the IRS for either of these purposes. Insurance companies are now following suit. According to the IRS a "Qualified Appraiser" is one who has been working in this field of valuation, has formal education in appraisal studies and belongs to a recognized appraisal organization. They are no longer accepting instruments listed on letterhead from a reputable merchant, unless it is a recent receipt of an instrument just purchased.

We are recommending for your own personal instruments or the instruments of your customers that they make sure they are covered under insurance policies. Most insurance policies have a household limit of $2,000 on Musical Instruments unless it is a "scheduled item" or has a "Rider". That $2,000 limit will leave them very vulnerable in losing their valuable instruments in case of fire or theft.