After a fire in which Carl, a violin conservator lost a large part of his house, his collection of musical instruments was destroyed or damaged by burning. Carl tried to reach an agreement with an insurance company through discussion and compromise. Negotiations lasted two years and never ending meetings did not help to find the middle ground. Using a depreciation form, the insurance company found that the Carl’s old and favorite instrument, that was made by the sons of a famous violin maker Antonio, was worth very little because it was old!