A written valuation of what your violin, viola, cello or bow would cost to replace today, prepared in our own workshop and accepted by insurers in the UK and abroad.
.jpg)
An insurance figure is often based on what an instrument originally cost, or on a valuation produced several years ago. The market may have moved considerably since then. If an instrument is lost or damaged beyond repair, an outdated valuation can leave you without enough cover to replace it.
| Service | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Written insurance valuation | From £75 | 1 to 3 days, signed and dated |
A valuation from us states what the instrument would cost to replace today, on our letterhead, signed and dated. It is the document an insurer asks for when a policy is written, and the one that decides what you are paid when a claim is made.
| Included | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Replacement value | A single figure | What it would cost to replace the instrument at retail today |
| Identification | Maker, date, dimensions | With any certificate or provenance referenced |
| Condition | Summarised | A full condition report can be added, for an additional fee |
| Photography | Front, back and scroll | Identifies the instrument if it is ever lost or stolen |
| Signature and date | By a director | The date matters, as insurers expect valuations to be kept current |
A valuation states replacement value. It is not a certificate of authenticity and does not express an opinion on maker or date beyond what is already documented.
Prices last reviewed: August 2026.
.png)
MyLuthier is a London specialist in fine stringed instruments. Because we actively buy and sell contemporary and antique instruments, our valuations are based on current retail replacement prices and comparable market evidence. Each instrument is examined in person, with its condition, documentation and provenance taken into account where relevant.
Where specialist authentication is needed before a reliable value can be given, we will say so.
A valuation establishes the figure. The other half is choosing a policy designed for the way musicians actually use and travel with their instruments.
Segurio is our insurance partner, and the one we use ourselves for instruments in our care. They specialise in fine instruments rather than treating them as an add-on to a household policy, which shows up in the detail: cover in transit and abroad, agreed value rather than an assessor's opinion after the fact, and people on the phone who know what a soundpost crack means.
Send them the valuation we produce and they can write cover against it directly.
Get a quote from SegurioWe earn a commission if you take out a policy through this link, at no extra cost to you. We recommend Segurio because we use them, not because of the commission, and we are happy to talk through other insurers if they suit you better.
From £75 inc VAT for a written valuation of a violin, viola, cello or bow. Higher value instruments, and those needing research into provenance, are quoted individually.
Our valuations are written in the form insurers ask for, signed and dated on our letterhead, and are accepted by insurers in the UK and abroad. If yours has asked for something specific, send us what they want and we will match it.
One to three days, depending on complexity. A straightforward instrument by a known maker is quick. Anything needing research into provenance, or a comparison against recent sales at a similar level, takes longer. Most insurers expect a valuation to be current, and many ask for one no more than three to five years old, so it is worth checking what yours requires before renewing.
No. A valuation states what an instrument would cost to replace. It does not express an opinion on maker or date beyond what is already documented. If you need an attribution, that is a separate matter and we can tell you who to approach.
A valuation gives a figure. A condition report documents the instrument's physical state in detail. Insurers usually want the first. Anyone selling, buying or making a claim is better served by having both, and they can be done in one visit.
Yes. We value violins, violas, cellos and bows wherever they were bought and whoever made them, from student instruments to fine antiques.
Yes, and it is worth saying which you need when you book. Probate and settlement valuations are usually based on open market value rather than retail replacement value, and the two figures are not the same.
Yes. A valuation depends on condition as much as on the name, and condition cannot be judged from photographs. Bring it to the showroom, or clients in the United Kingdom can send it by post.
Yes. The showroom at 49 Little Britain, London EC1A 7BH is by appointment only, Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm. Book online or call 0330 133 4225.