Liability Insurance Question for Gigsters...

[steveboy]

Wondering if any of you folks that perform carry liability coverage. This has come up only twice in the 30+ years I've been gigging so I haven't given it much thought. I suppose a speaker stand could tip over on someone or I could be sued for not playing the 'She's Too Fat For Me' polka at a wedding. Any one have any insight?

[Len911]

I can see liability insurance on the vehicle you use to transport your gear to the venue, but the venue is responsible for liability insurance for the venue unless otherwise specified. Of course if you did have it, or could even get it, ask your insurance agent, I'm sure an injured party would make a claim against it if you had it. The first person to ask is your insurance agent.

Insurance if you need it, you can't afford it, or it isn't available, if you can afford it, you don't need it

I'm not sure a failure to perform a song is liability, that's a performance failure, so they would probably either refuse to pay you the full fare or bring suit against you in small claims court. If you punched someone out, that's criminal, however, if an employee punches someone out there may be liability insurance for that,lol!

[elser]

Unless you sign a waiver that should be covered by the venue.

[steveboy]

Thanks for the responses Len and Elser.

More specifically, I've had this request twice in the last ten years. One from a huge ski resort company and now from a smaller special events venue.

"THE VENUE requires a Certificate of Insurance for all vendors and entertainers with minimum liability limits of $1,000,000 listing the following information: THE VENUE and their respective owners, officers, employees and agents as additional insureds on the policy."

My insurance provider seems to think I'm under insured. Having trouble getting a clear answer on what, exactly, this insurance would cover.

[Len911]

"THE VENUE requires a Certificate of Insurance for all vendors and entertainers with minimum liability limits of $1,000,000 listing the following information: THE VENUE and their respective owners, officers, employees and agents as additional insureds on the policy."

This must be the special events venue. They're basically saying that they own the building and probably the only insurance they have is on the building and it's easier to understand that if you rent out the building, one day it might be a monster truck show and the next day it might be a prayer meeting. But if that was for the ski resort, I think I'd run for the hills, or rather the valley,lol! The million dollars is likely their deductible.

[steveboy]

Thanks Len. After further discussion with my Ins provider the consensus is I'll not be changing my coverage.

[Len911]

[glogleemusic]

Hey ... I get that question about twice a year now ... used to never get asked that. Just got asked about it today.

It runs about $200-300 per night. Around $500+ for the annual.

Venues are trying to pass off the expense to us. There is an agency in Indiana that covers us and everybody within a hearty sneeze away from us ... up to $2M I believe they are K and K Insurance.

I gig about 200 nights out of the year. It mostly comes up in corporate events and rental halls like someone else mentioned.

Hope this helps

[MarkDoyle]

If you are a member of the Musician's Union you can get it a group rate. I'm paying $265.00 for 1000,000.00 in coverage and write it off on my taxes.

Mark Doyle

[glogleemusic]

UPDATE: On this week's request for insurance we asked the client for a waiver ... basically allowing us to sign a Hold Harmless Affidavit. It seemed to satisfy their needs. It was the first time I tried that.

Since we are all essentially 1099 employees on these gigs, we are not 'subject to' the usual restrictions and requirements. Isn't that so typical of us musicians? Finding ways around the rules ....