Insurance for DJ's

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DJ Kahuna

New DJ
Jun 16, 2009
26
0
61
Pacific Northwest
Ok confession time. I've DJ'd for quite a while without ever having or seemingly needing insurance. But things are getting bigger and better, when it comes to equipment and gigs. So....

You bigger Dj's got any tips for me about what and exactly how insurance works for people in our profession? What price range should I be looking at and not getting ripped off? How do they determine whats covered and whats not? What about deductibles and stuff?
 
We get ours through a local agent. We carry a liability policy and also an equipment policy through that agent. Liability runs in the $700/yr range if I'm not mistaken. Equipment is a little higher, but we have probably more than your average DJ when it comes to 'stuff'.
 
I must say, wedj.com is awesome and my family and I have decided that the options in the site are more than worth the prices. With a Premium of just under $200.00 a year, we get a do it yourself website, $1,000,000 liability insurance policy and ability to accept credit cards as payments. Thanks so much for letting me know about his place!!!

Chris
aka DJ Kahuna
 
DJ Kahuna said:
I must say, wedj.com is awesome and my family and I have decided that the options in the site are more than worth the prices. With a Premium of just under $200.00 a year, we get a do it yourself website, $1,000,000 liability insurance policy and ability to accept credit cards as payments. Thanks so much for letting me know about his place!!!

Chris
aka DJ Kahuna
Click to expand...

Did you get it setup then?
 
What is it you want to insure?

General liability is very common. But, as you just pointed out - you haven't had any real need for it.

What liability do you see now that you didn't have before? [General liability]

Is it your investment in gear you want to protect? How does the cost of insuring your gear compare to the cost of replacing it on your own? Would you actually replace ALL of it - or just SOME of it? [Property casualty]

Is it people who work for you that you need to insure? [workman's compensation, disability, casualty]

Is it your employee's or sub-contractor's use of automobiles that creates a liability for you? [Business use of un-owned autos]

There are at least 5 different kinds of insurance you could conceivable need. So before you buy something - figure out what it is you want it to do for you.
 
2 reasons I want to be insured...

1 because I've been asked already if Im insured and I'd like to have that covered, even though right now its not required.

2. because I want to insure my gear, in the event of flood or theft. Compared to many out there, my set up Im sure is pretty small and inexpensive

DJ Coffin 300
Computer Tower 1300
Monitor 300
Speakers 850
Amp & Wiring (ebay) 200
Mixer 200
Dual Decks 200
Power Conditioner 50
Cordless Mic Set 50
Library (not sure of value)
= 3250

Future Upgrades to Include

Numark NS7 1300
DMX controller 300-500
Truss Framework 2000
Various Lights 1000
Intellistage Setup 3500
Two More Amps 1000
Four more Speakers 1700
 
Hmmm, well for those who dont check their e-mails to find out of someone responded. you might want to know, that when you post on someone's string, they get an e-mail of the (original) message. Even if you edit it or delete it. I dont come on to this site to BS anyone or mislead anyone, (to whom this applies) I checked out the insurance site, signed up in a few minutes with a free membership and Im weighing the decision as I said (as to which policy Im going to select), with my daughter and the rest of my family. Im not pulling anyone's leg. Its only a matter of registering with the site mentioned, just like registering here, it only takes a few minutes to do. ya know, maybe coming to this site was just a bad idea....at least I did learn from it.
 
I'm not really sure what your complaint is?

Personally, I have email notifications turned off. I read or post at my liesure - not on demand. If you are looking for communication in "real time" you'll have to use live chat.

I would not insure your equipment. What you have is small enough that you can self insure by having enough reserve credit to replace what gets lost.

You should only insure your equipment when your level of operation exceeds your reserve capacity to meet your obligations following a casualty.

For example, I have over $100k in gear, but in the event of a totaol loss would probably only replace about $60k of it. I can afford to absorb $10k myself. Therefore, my equipment insurance is $60K with a $10K deductible.

If an amplifier goes swimming in Boston Harbor (and one has) that will be on me to repair or replace. But, if a tornadoe takes away ALL of my gear at once - I'll have the means to continue in business.

It sounds like all you really need is a general liability policy and the DJ associations would be the best place for you to get that at a good price.
 
Proformance said:
If an amplifier goes swimming in Boston Harbor (and one has) that will be on me to repair or replace.
Click to expand...

Proformance,
Do you mean to tell me you lost an amp in Boston Harbor? What a coincidence! I lost a Bose 802 in Boston harbor in the late 70s. I was doing a gig on a ship and it fell off the gangplank.
All it needs is a laptop with media and the fishes can be DJs too! LOL
 
ahoustondj said:
Proformance,
Do you mean to tell me you lost an amp in Boston Harbor?
Click to expand...

Not lost - I sent a diver down to get it.
I disassembled it, cleaned it up, (garden hose) dried it out, (vaccuum and compressed air) re-assembled it, and it worked for another 9 years.

Then one day all those years later, a loose screw got inside and when it was turned on burned a whole the size of dime in the main circuit board.

I thought about repairing it - but figured I had gotten more than my money's worth from it. (Carver PM900)
 
If you are sleeping with a Redhead....Raise your Glass. If you're not.... then raise your standards!
Click to expand...

Intriguing signature.

Where can I find these "standards" ??
 
Proformance said:
Intriguing signature.

Where can I find these "standards" ??
Click to expand...

Lots of them floating around in Texas. From the Strawberries to the Flaming Reds.
 
ahoustondj said:
Proformance,
Do you mean to tell me you lost an amp in Boston Harbor? What a coincidence! I lost a Bose 802 in Boston harbor in the late 70s. I was doing a gig on a ship and it fell off the gangplank.
All it needs is a laptop with media and the fishes can be DJs too! LOL
Click to expand...

Great more bottom feeders :sqlaugh:
 
DJ Kahuna said:
2 reasons I want to be insured...

1 because I've been asked already if Im insured and I'd like to have that covered, even though right now its not required.

2. because I want to insure my gear, in the event of flood or theft. Compared to many out there, my set up Im sure is pretty small and inexpensive
Click to expand...

More and more, venues are requesting COI's (certificates of insurance). This let's the venue know that you are carrying liability insurance. I always provide a COI to every venue I work, whether requested or not. This insurance is typically referred to as CGL or Commercial General Liability. The premiums can be based on sales or payroll.

To cover your equipment, you will need an inland marine policy. The standard inland marine policy does not cover flood. Some policies offer breakdown coverage. Make sure you buy the replacement cost option.

Along with professional organizations, you could also check with your personal agent or local brokers.

As a side note, I was involved litigation (not an actual party to the loss, rather a witness for an insurance company) of a DJ whose speaker fell over causing a head injury to a juvenile. The DJ had no business insurance and placed a claim against his homeowners policy. The homeowners carrier denied coverage as business liability is clearly excluded from coverage.

Its worth the $200-500 a year for the peace of mind.
 
Can see it now....."Rock Lobster" coming to you live from Boston Harbor.

I can't speak for the WeDJ insurance.

Members in the ADJA can get a 1 million dollar policy from RV Nuccio for the base price of $175 - this is liability only. Property is extra. I don' know if anything other than "flood insurance" will cover flood damaged equipment, incidentally.

If a pipe burst in a house & there was water damage - that would be covered, but not if it's from a flood & there's no insurance.

Rock on,

Joe
 
One thing that I found with most DJ insurance policies (for covering your gear)
Most do NOT cover your property (DJ equipment) during transport to & from your gig. You get into a crash & destroy your gear, or it gets stolen out of you trailer or vehicle......you are screwed! If you have a gig the flowing weekend, do you have enough money to replace it?

Unless it is written in your insurance policy (homeowners, vehicle, Etc.) you won't be covered.

I wound up contacting a local provider (through Traveler's Insurance) to get the proper coverage.
 
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