It's a great video and a catchy song, but I have been wondering why Dave Carroll didn't simply claim against his flight/travel insurance or his musical instruments policy. My daughter is a professional classical musician who frequently travels with a $14,000 flute and a $30,000 concert harp, and the sort of damage incurred to Dave's guitar would be covered by a standard musical instruments policy. It doesn't excuse shoddy baggage-handling, but is it usual to travel without insurance in North America?