Appraisals are available by appointment on Thursdays between 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Please contact us if you would like to schedule an appointment. Your must have an appointment for a verbal appraisal, written appraisal or an appraisal update. Appraisals are not available over the phone.

About our appraiser:

Claire Givens founded Claire Givens Violins, Inc. in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1977. She has spent the last 40 years appraising musical instruments as a day to day part of her business, purchasing inventory and assisting Givens Violins customers. She has been a musical instrument appraiser for the Antiques Roadshow since 1999 and has appeared on numerous shows. Claire Givens is member of the Appraisers Association of America and is USPAP (Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice), compliant through October 2020. Within the trade, she has been recognized for her accomplishments by being nominated and serving on numerous boards.

Written Appraisals for Insurance Purposes
These include a written description of the instrument or bow, including measurements and current replacement value. They are mailed 5-10 business days from the date of purchase/appointment date.

Items not purchased from Givens Violins:

• Instrument: $85
• Bow accompanying an instrument: $50
• Bow alone: $60
• Research surcharge (per hour): $110

Verbal Appraisals
These include Claire Givens’ assessment of when/where the instrument or bow was made along with a current replacement value.

• Verbal appraisal per instrument or bow: $50

Appraisal Updates
We recommend that all insurance appraisals be updated every two years in order to be sure that insurance coverage reflects current replacement costs. Updates are mailed 5-10 business days from the date requested.

• Items purchased from Givens Violins: $20
• Items not purchased from Givens Violins: $35

Repair Estimates
These are detailed line-item listings of repairs recommended to put an instrument or bow into top playing condition.

• Repair estimate — per hour (pro-rated): $110 (average fee: $45)

Insurance Claim Letters
These include a repair estimate from the shop and are printed on Claire Givens Violins, Inc. letterhead.

• Insurance claim letter: $50
• Insurance claim letter with photos: $140