Howden for Students

Specialist music insurance

Young male musician plays guitar, overlay text reads 'Howden insurance in partnership with cycleGuard'.

Introducing Howden for Students

The competition terms and conditions are as follows:

We’ve teamed up with Howden for Students to offer you a 10% discount on specialist music insurance from musicGuard! With over 20 years’ experience, we protect amateur and professional musicians and music teachers across the UK against theft, damage and more – whether you’re in a band, part of an orchestra or a DJ, take a look at how we can keep you covered.

What’s more, if you purchase a musicGuard policy online or over the phone, between 24th August 2026and 15th October 2026, you’ll be automatically entered into our prize draw at no extra cost for a chance to win one of three £100 Amazon vouchers!

IMPORTANT: Read the full Terms and Conditions of the prize draw before purchasing your cover.



The competition terms and conditions are as follows:

Prize Draw Terms and Conditions

As a thank you for purchasing a studentGuard, cycleGuard or musicGuard policy, we will enter you into our guardCover competition for a chance to win one of three £100 Amazon vouchers.

The competition terms and conditions are as follows:

  1. By purchasing a policy, you agree that only the brand you bought your policy from (studentGuard, cycleGuard or musicGuard), trading styles of Thistle Insurance Services Limited, may contact you about your student, cycle or music contents policy and about your entry into the free prize draw.
  2. Individuals who purchase a policy with studentGuard, cycleGuard or musicGuard between 24th August 2026 and 15th October 2026 will be automatically entered into the free prize draw.
  3. Only one entry per person is permitted.
  4. Entry into the prize draw is only available to people aged 18 and over and who are residing in the UK.
  5. Entrants are not permitted to enter on someone else’s behalf.
  6. Entry must be in line with the competition rules.
  7. No responsibility will be taken for lost/delayed entries.
  8. Entrants will each be assigned a unique number, with three numbers being drawn at random to decide the winners.
  9. The winners will be chosen by 31st October 2026.
  10. Within 3 days of the winners being chosen, each of the three winners will be contacted once using the contact details provided, either by email or by phone.
  11. Prize must be claimed within 14 days of being notified. If there is no response within 14 days of the winners being notified, another winner/s will be chosen at random.
  12. The prizes are three £100 worth of digital Amazon gift vouchers.
  13. The prizes, which are Amazon gift vouchers, are non-exchangeable, non-refundable, non-redeemable for cash or other prizes.
  14. We retain the right to substitute the prize for one of similar value.
  15. You will have accepted these T&C’s before entering into this prize draw.
  16. The prize draw is governed by English Law.
  17. The promoters studentGuard, cycleGuard and musicGuard are all guardCover products, a trading style of Thistle Insurance Services Limited.  Thistle Insurance Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FRN 310419. Registered in England under No. 00338645. Registered office: Rossington's Business Park, West Carr Road, Retford, Nottinghamshire, DN22 7SW. Thistle Insurance Limited is part of the PIB Group.
  18. The prize draw is not open to employees of Thistle Insurance Services Limited or any other part of PIB Group Limited, their families, relatives, or anyone else associated with this draw.
  19. By providing your contact details you consent to be contacted by us and Howdens (in line with our Privacy Notice and Howden's Privacy Notice)
  20. Our decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
  21. We will use this data to notify you if you have a won prize and to communicate with you about our products and services. You can unsubscribe from any of our communications by clicking the relevant link in the emails and can withdraw consent or request the removal of your data from our systems by contacting dpo@pib-insurance.com. To find out how we look after your data, please see our privacy policy.

Why protect your instruments with musicGuard?

See what our specialist cover can offer musicians and their music equipment at musicGuard

20 Years of Experience

We know what it takes to protect the things that matter to you.

Quick and Simple

It only takes a couple of minutes to get a quick and easy quote.

0% Monthly Payment

Spread your payments across the year at no extra cost.

UK Customer Service

Our customer service team is ready to help you with all your questions.

Online Account

Your online account is an easy way to access and manage your policies 24/7.

Specialist Insurance

Cover for all types of musicians from teaching, rehearsing or performing live.

Specialist music insurance from musicGuard

What am I covered for?

We know how important your music equipment is, so if you like to play in your spare time, we can provide you with the cover you need to keep you rocking.

  • Theft and Accidental Damage

    What happens if your music equipment is damaged?

    If your music equipment is stolen from your home or studio or has suffered damage, musicGuard is there to help you. Our cover includes theft and accidental damage, vandalism, and attempted theft. Security requirements apply.

  • New for Old Cover

    How can we replace your music equipment?

    We understand what your music equipment means to you, which is why we offer genuine new for old replacement. As long as you’re able to demonstrate the original value, then we won’t depreciate the value of your equipment.

  • Cover Abroad

    Got a gig overseas?

    If your latest gig takes you abroad or your music equipment just simply goes where you go, no problem. We automatically include UK-wide cover and up to 30 days of worldwide cover for your insured equipment. Our optional Global Travel cover can take you and your kit abroad for longer with 365 days worldwide cover (Public Liability excludes United States of America and Canada).

  • In-Vehicle Cover

    Is your music equipment covered while it's in your car?

    Keep your music equipment safe when you're on the road. We automatically include In-Vehicle Cover and up to £300 cover for damage caused to your vehicle at the same time as the theft or attempted theft of your insured equipment. Storage and vehicle security requirements apply, cover is not applicable when the vehicle is at your insured location.

  • £100,000 Legal Expenses Cover

    How can we help if you're involved in a legal dispute?

    All our policies now include extra legal protection through our Legal Expenses cover, which is automatically included with all our policies purchased or renewed after 23rd June 2024.

    We provide up to £100,000 of legal expenses cover, within the UK, for incidents related to certain contract and tax disputes, as well as legal defence work. In addition, we also include our Legal & Tax Advice helpline and online support through our Business & Consumer Legal Services portal.

  • Loss of Earnings

    How can we support you?

    If you’ve had an accident that's keeping you from performing, then you shouldn't have to be out of pocket. We can offer you:

    • £800, or
    • 75% of your lost music related earnings (whichever is lesser)

    Cover only applies to pre-booked music related earnings.

     

  • £2,000 Equipment Hire

    What if you need to rent music equipment?

    If you’re making a claim with us but still need replacement equipment, then don’t worry. It’s covered as part of our claims service, with up to £2,000 of equipment hire available if you need it - we’ll just need to approve it before you do. Cover applies in the UK, with up to £250 claims hire cover abroad available with our optional Global Travel cover.

Student discount

Optional extras for your instrument

Global Travel - If you’ve got a string of gigs lined-up abroad, then you can extend your policy to include 365 days of worldwide cover and £250 claims equipment hire. Proof of hire required.

£5m or £10m Public Liability - You can increase your liability cover to either £5m or £10m and choose to extend the cover to include up to four band or group members who work alongside and support you as a guitarist. Excludes North America.

Mechanical Breakdown - Covers repair costs to equipment (less than five years old) that breaks down outside of its warranty, so you’re not left empty-handed for your next set. Excludes computing equipment.

Your policy document explorer

Existing customers: If you have an existing policy that pre-dates the documents shown below, then you can contact our team either by email: support@guardcover.co.uk or calling us on: 0333 004 3888

musicGuard customers say this...

We pride ourselves on delivering a personal service to every musician that we help protect. You don't have to take our word for it though, check out some of our independent reviews to see what our customers have to say! If you'd like to leave your opinion, good or bad we encourage you to submit a review too.