Liability Insurance for private band gigs?

Jason Hollar · #1 01-31-2011, 03:53 PM

Hey - I booked a wedding reception gig at a local venue that requires Liability insurance.

Anybody here carry this kind of business insurance?

Looks like one can acquire Liability through professional organizations like the Union (AFM.org).

Recommendations? Advice? Cautionary tales?! Thanks!

TroyK · #2 02-01-2011, 12:01 AM

They require jazz musicians to carry a liability insurance policy? Do they think you have a pyrotechnics show?

That's a new one on me. The union would be a good place to check, I suppose.

Marc Piane · #3 02-01-2011, 05:45 AM

We get that all the time here. You do get covered if you are a union member and you file the contract. You can also buy one time policies from Musicpro. Truthfully you can usually talk your way out of them if you explain your group is an acoustic jazz group.

Wilbyman · #4 02-01-2011, 05:50 AM

Wow! Liability for what (?). Are you guys going to do some electrical work or surgery before the downbeat?

sleepytime · #5 02-01-2011, 06:00 AM

Have whoever is planning the reception handle the insurance.

amroach · #6 02-01-2011, 06:09 AM

'The Union'? Is that the same thing for the US as the Musicians union is for the UK? The Musicians Union provides all its members with public liability insurance which is handy but I've not had to use it.

dpbass613 · #7 02-01-2011, 06:15 AM

There was a band in my area that got sued, because the guitar player threw his guitar up in the air expecting to catch it, but made a bad judgement ended up throwing it out into the crowd and cracking a girl in the head, so they got sued along with the bar. They had liability insurance, so they were covered, if you show involves stage antics that could result in someone other than yourself getting injured I would consider taking it out, or if you expect to be around alot of drunk people that could trip on your cables/monitors and gear it might be another good idea...

drdunwoody · #8 02-01-2011, 06:34 AM

I'm interested in this as well. Ahh...what union? Seriously, I'm ignorant. I'm a hobbyist.
I teach at a college and my band has occasionally played there. They require ALL performers at the college (not just musicians) to have a million dollars in liability insurance. We were able to talk our way out of it since I work there but I foresee this coming up again. Where would I get 1 mill in liability insurance?

Swift713 · #9 02-01-2011, 06:34 AM

Wow. Insurance companies are not satisfied with f*cking up medicine, now they've gone after music.

Jason Hollar · #10 02-01-2011, 06:56 AM

Troy! Yes, one of the applications for liability insurance has a check box: Do you use fireworks?

Only during my solos baby!

Seriously, there are a few venues here in Pittsburgh that require bands & djs etc. to carry liability. 1 million seems to be the basic figure. One country club I talked to got sued cause grandma had a few too many and tripped over a tripod music stand and the speaker came tumbling down. They sued the venue but that is shifting toward the entertainers.

We live in a litigious society...

For this particular gig - I'm just doing a background jazz quartet - so I may try "talking my way out" of having the insurance - especially since this gig doesn't pay all that much.

However, I do much larger productions with a PA system (yes, I use tripod stands!) and some dance floor lights.

Joining the union looks to be a coupla hundred bucks with initiation fees, etc., plus a coupla hundred for 12 months of coverage - yearly renewal required. They also have gear insurance which is something I've been wanting to get.

Just wondering if anyone else here actively carries this or if your local venues also require it?

The argument is - one lawsuit could wipe out everything.

Better to have it and not need it huh?

Jason Hollar · #11 02-01-2011, 06:59 AM

Right our main union in North America is the American Federation of Musicians AFM.org.

Any other sources or suggestions welcomed.

Febs · #12 02-01-2011, 07:05 AM

Many of the venues we play require the band to carry liability insurance. Your local isnurance broker or agent should be able to get you quotes. I think that the premium we pay is somewhere around $350 per year for $1 million in coverage.

@Swift713, this has nothing to do with the insurance companies "f*cking up music." It is basic risk management for the venue or promoter that is sponsoring live music.

Marc Piane · #13 02-01-2011, 07:11 AM

Musicpro offers gig liability and instrument insurance.

john m · #14 02-01-2011, 07:12 AM

I've been told my some hotels that they require the musicians to carry liability insurance so that "outside contractors" ie musicians, plumbers, carpet installers etc. don't sue the hotel should they get hurt on the property.

Since we were hired by people throwing a party at the hotel,
they let us slide for this particular gig. If we were to get a gig there again, we'd have to prove that we have insurance.

We told the people that hired the band and they stopped using that particular hotel as a venue for their functions.

They now asked about liability insurance when they plan a party at a venue.

Jason Hollar · #15 02-01-2011, 07:14 AM

These are very interesting stories. Thanks for the input!

Swift713 · #16 02-01-2011, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Febs

@Swift713, this has nothing to do with the insurance companies "f*cking up music." It is basic risk management for the venue or promoter that is sponsoring live music.

Oh sure, I understand all that. I'm just one of societies discontents. Don't mind me.

TroyK · #17 02-01-2011, 12:00 PM

I suppose it may come up here at some point. I've sworn off weddings, but have maybe...I dont' know...50 in my rear view mirror. Never was asked about it. Certainly local venues don't do that to my knowledge, not the ones I play at anyway.

Our local union is not very active or I would be happy to belong and I don't tour.

Honestly, for me, if were offered a gig, but told I had to carry this type of policy, I would probably turn the gig down and refer them. If they really wanted us, but wouldn't come off of that point and for some reason, I needed the gig. I would likely increase the fee for the gig by that cost+ something for the trouble.

But, that's me and my town.

I suppose, I get it for stage shows, but standing in the corner playing jazz with a trio...

**Chris Fitzgerald** · #18 02-01-2011, 01:30 PM

I'm with Troy on this one (we skinny bald guys have to stick together). I figured out recently that I've got over 2000 gigs in the rearview mirror, and never once have I been asked about this. I think that if it became a sticking point, I'd just pass.

Marc Piane · #19 02-01-2011, 02:25 PM

I have a full head of luxurious hair but I feel a kinship due to my slight build. It happens here from time to time. Especially at the big hotels or convention centers. If it ever becomes an issue I just let it slide. I've joined the union twice. That ship has sailed unless I get hired for some big show or something.

Coolhandjjl · #20 02-01-2011, 02:30 PM

When you are being paid to perform, you (your band's entity) is classified as a vendor, independent contractor, etc.

As mentioned, the way it is now, any vendor doing anything on someone else's property needs liability insurance. Lawyers. All it takes is someone to trip on a cord, chip a tooth, and it's all over if you don't have insurance.