[quote="FrankM":3mow1fjc]
Did you ever find out about the travel insurance?[/quote:3mow1fjc]
I was going to get back about the insurance earlier, but I've been at the gym pumping up.

It dawned on me that my homeowner's insurance might cover my bass and case against loss, which I found out, indeed, does: $500 deductible in this instance. I then checked with United Airlines as to damage protection and was told: "musical instruments are not on the excluded list," which I took (as did the agent I spoke with) to mean covered.
If I made my living as a musician, I don't think the homeowner's would be applicable -- I'm pretty sure special coverage is needed then.