Musicians liability insurance question

[B3bluesman59]

Some of the corporate venues I play require that all vendors (musicians included) be covered by their own liability insurance. Most want coverage of 3 million dollars. About how much does that cost on an annual basis and does anyone have a company they could refer me to? Thanks.

[burningbusch]

If you have a trusted, local insurance rep for your auto/home you might ask them for a quote. They will likely outsource an umbrella policy like this to another company but I personally like having all mine under one roof.

 

Busch.

[mcgoo]

Check with the company that carries your home owner's / renters policy and auto policy. Typically something like this is less expensive I'd they've already got lower risk biz of yours. I have liability for my studio biz out of my home this way.

[B3bluesman59]

Anybody got a ballpark number on the $$$?

[burningbusch]

Maybe $1000/yr.

 

Busch.

[drawback]

Just curious: would you then upcharge accordingly (and itemize it on your band contract/invoice)? I absolutely would.

[Hoochie]

You can get performers liability insurance for about $300-400 a year.

You can also get it for single events but it's not cheap.

It's easier if you just get the yearly and the peace of mind is a bonus.

Then you can get your certs via email.

 

Hypnosis , lethal weapons, pyrotechnics, and fireworks will jack it up

considerably.

 

Just google it and don't pay attention to what it's for

in particular. They all will cover anybody.

They just target certain professions.

 

John

[Markay]

Out here Aon have a Master policy that covers a 5 piece band for about $500 for 12 months cover. All done on their website and you get emailed a certificate you can send to each venue as required.

[WesG]

These policies usually come with some theft coverage, too. At least here they do.

[Hoochie]

Adding it to what you charge is risky.

Most clients expect one easily paid invoice.

All that running a business junk is exactly

that. Your business.

You should build that and any other

things like this in to your bids.

 

If it's something that requires a lift for lights

due to high ceilings

or a large Whisper generator then it would

be something they need to be aware of

so they know why your charging an extra

700-1000. They may want to take care of it

themselves.

 

If your at the tour level, this kind of thing

is likely built in to the bid too.

 

And since most of the types of gigs that might

require this are hired by large corporations there is

an air of expectation that you already

have these kind of things in place.

 

It might be an advantage to use it as a selling point,

but putting on the bill?

 

John

[Reezekeys]

Adding it to what you charge is risky.

Most clients expect one easily paid invoice.

If you're leading a full-time band doing these kinds of gigs you're probably paying a single yearly charge and of course you'll be passing along the cost to the client. Why would you need to separately invoice for this? I hardly ever lead a band but one time I needed insurance for a single gig; I paid $100 for a single-event policy and just added it to the total before I drew up the contract which only stated the # of musicians, hours, venue location, and overtime charges. The client doesn't have to know every detail of our expenses.

[DulceLabs.com]

Hypnosis , lethal weapons, pyrotechnics, and fireworks will jack it up

considerably.

 

Something tells me you have some really cool stories.

[mate stubb]

Liability insurance. SMDH

 

When I think of all the black powder cannons, flash pots, and fire extinguishers I dragged into clubs and exploded... We never even asked permission, it was just rock and roll.

 

http://hotrodmotm.com/images/skyhigh/skyhigh7_small.jpg

[Reezekeys]

I've never heard of any kind of "rock" club requiring a band to have liability insurance (thought that may have changed), but most of the wedding/corporate bands in the NYC can't do a gig without it. We're not talking about black powder cannons maiming anyone either... just stuff like PA speakers tipping over onto some guest's head!

[EscapeRocks]

every festival gig we play during the summer festival season has it in the contract that the bands must have liability insurance.

 

We carry a policy on an annual basis just to protect us in the event something stupid does happen.

 

It is factored into the fee we charge for gigs. We don't itemize it.

 

 

[Hoochie]

If some one gets lawyered up,

they'll go after the deepest well.

I pray nothing ever happens. I don't want anybody

to get hurt.

 

I've seen a few pretty bad ones.

It is not fun at all.

And it's why I'm very careful with rigs and stagecraft.

 

And even with all my care and preparation

there is still that possibility of anything happening.

 

And you can say

" Hey, the guy just ran across the stage. Not my

deal. Be broke my stuff man."

It won't matter. He tripped and impaled his face

on your guitar. He's gonna sue you.

 

So I have insurance.

And try not to worry about it too much.

 

John

 

[The Real MC]

If you play drums for Spinal Tap, liability insurance won't help you.

[Polkahero]

Interesting, I'll have to ask my bandleader if he carries any liability insurance. Just the other night some girl came up to the stage to request a song and she tripped over a speaker stand while running back to the bar. Outdoor festival on grass so she wasn't hurt but this type of stuff does happen especially at bigger festivals.

[Synthoid]

Just the other night some girl came up to the stage to request a song and she tripped over a speaker stand while running back to the bar.

 

Was it last call?

[B3bluesman59]

Thanks for all the info.....I think you all pretty well covered it.

[drawback]

Interesting, I'll have to ask my bandleader if he carries any liability insurance. Just the other night some girl came up to the stage to request a song and she tripped over a speaker stand while running back to the bar. Outdoor festival on grass so she wasn't hurt but this type of stuff does happen especially at bigger festivals.

.

And the band is supposed to be responsible for this?

[Polkahero]

Interesting, I'll have to ask my bandleader if he carries any liability insurance. Just the other night some girl came up to the stage to request a song and she tripped over a speaker stand while running back to the bar. Outdoor festival on grass so she wasn't hurt but this type of stuff does happen especially at bigger festivals.

.

And the band is supposed to be responsible for this?

 

What's funny is that the dance floor area is gated off from the bar area (no drinks allowed) so the festival organizers don't have to pay extra liability insurance!

[EscapeRocks]

Interesting, I'll have to ask my bandleader if he carries any liability insurance. Just the other night some girl came up to the stage to request a song and she tripped over a speaker stand while running back to the bar. Outdoor festival on grass so she wasn't hurt but this type of stuff does happen especially at bigger festivals.

.

And the band is supposed to be responsible for this?

 

Doesn't matter, unfortunately. If someone wants to file a suit if they were hurt, even if they broke all the rules, they can and will include everyone associated with the show/festival.

It doesn't mean they'll win, but it will be an aggravation and can cost you money if you don't have a viable way to pay for legal representation.

 

That's why you carry insurance.

[WesG]

They certainly could be on the hook for damages if they provided the equipment. If the drunk girl alleges you installed the equipment in an unsafe manner, you'll T least be responsible for the cost of your legal defense.