Proof of Insurance

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Valerie Ruste said:
I do know a DJ who used his liability insurance. He is a multi op and one of his guys scratched a gym floor during load out.
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Carpet runners are cheap and easy!:sqwink:

They come in black and gray, have a rubber backing, roll out and up easily and weight next to nothing and you don't end up scratching those beautiful hardwood floors!
 
Hampton,

I have several families in this area where I am now doing the weddings of their Grand kids! Having already performed the weddings (sometimes multiples for the same child of the couple) along with Christmas, summer, and just because events!

Yes, I agree Dick would be foolish but it is not my place to protect Dick or the people who hire Dick or the venues that Dick plays in! My job is to provide entertainment to the people who hire me!
 
You're right. It's not my job to protect Dick either. My job is to protect ME!! If suggesting to a venue that they should support vendors with insurance helps me and not Dick, then so be it. Now if Dick were the only DJ in the area, your argument might work, but we all he is not. And we all know that a venue and potential clients have too many choices to worry about whether Dick gets work or not.

I''ve been at this on my own for 3 years. I don't have that legacy. Again, it may be true of you, but is it the norm? I say no.
 
Valerie Ruste said:
I do know a DJ who used his liability insurance. He is a multi op and one of his guys scratched a gym floor during load out.

We spend less than $1000 a year on liability. Some day we may up our policy, but for now it suits us ok. At least it's something (though only a $1 mil policy). We do not do any flown systems; everything is ground support. Liability is a lot more expensive (if you can get it) when you are hanging things above peoples heads. Our policy is audited every so often and adjusted for number of events, etc. Not a big deal.

Esoteric:
A minimum income should have nothing to do with it; you haven't talked to enough agents yet. I went with a local American Family agent because then I have an agent in town to ask questions, change anything in our policies or pick up certificate of insurance as needed.
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I tried Wells Fargo and State Farm and neither would insure me because of the small amount of business I do.

Yeah, I hang things over people's heads all the time.

Mike

$1000 a year would suck though. That is about 10% of my profits.
 
Hampton, I am not sure if your question is addressed to me or not. But anyway, here goes an answer.
I would say about 25% of my work is from repeat clients. I, like Thunder, have done weddings for people whose children and grandchildren are now using my services.

The rest of my clients come to my door either by word of mouth, internet or media advertising, or venue recommendation. In all cases, I believe that they "check me out" by whatever means they have.

Seriously, I booked a wedding reception fifteen minutes ago from a client due to the venue recommending me, and noting that I had the required insurance that they insist upon. In this case, the client had heard of my name before, and had also seen one of my advertisements in a local bridal magazine.

Between the name recognition, the venue referral, the magazine advertisement, and the insurance in place, I clinched the contract.
 
djsarge said:
Another question Steve. Of all the families in your area, how many hire you because they know you or know your service and how many would have to find out something about you first?
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Hampton,

I guess you got me there since I haven't done any advertisement in many years, No web site, no YP, nothing, however i used to get a lot of radio airtime from venue advertisments and friends who are radio personalities in this area.

So yes much of my business is direct word of mouth or from people who have actually seen or know me because of the number of weekly shows I do!

So I guess I really can't relate it to the same situations that some DJs are in!
 
Esoteric said:
I tried Wells Fargo and State Farm and neither would insure me because of the small amount of business I do.

Yeah, I hang things over people's heads all the time.

Mike

$1000 a year would suck though. That is about 10% of my profits.
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Mike -

Try Zurich America. That's who I'm insured with. My policy runs close to $800 bucks per year, but I feel it's worth it. I do WAY less than $50k a year, and they have no problem insuring me.

Of course, I don't fly equipment over people's heads either.......

Here's the link:

http://www.zurichna.com/zna/home/welcome.htm
 
State Farm will not cover DJ's in any way shape or form. I have my car and apt insurance with them. I asked my agent and several other State Farm agents just to be sure I wasn't being BS'd. Per State Farm we're too HIGH RISK.
 
Here is a link to one of the leading insurance agents for special events, bands, musicians, performers and DJ's

$1 Million Liability for DJ's is something like $175 a year for non members of the ADJA. ADJA members get a discounted rate.

http://www.rvnuccio.com/

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You can also get low cost DJ Insurance from wedj.com
 
RVNA has not impressed me at the customer service level.

You'd think they'd be eager to answer questions from a prospective client but I didn't find that the case, what little info I got out of them was like pulling teeth and the answers I got for my situation raised several more. Which IF they would have taken the time to answer instead of blowing me off, they would of had another client.
 
yeah, I didn't like all the exceptions in his contract.
seems like he's so cheap
because he finds ways to NOT pay
(but this is only MY opinion)
went with a local insurance company
and got the same coverage
for about $200
without the "clauses"

but in responding to the original question...

I say, why make life difficult
if the venue wants proof, I fax it over
if they wanna hire DJ's without it,
they can only blame themselves when something happens.
(that's when the hall makes it mandatory)
there are only a few in my neighborhood...
and I've done the one-day-only deal...

but I just feel better having it
 
djsarge said:
Looking for a generic "Request For Proof Of Insurance For Vendors" I can give local venues to show what and how they can ask for it. I have one from the web I can use if need be, but wanted something more generic.
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I thought you were investigating the idea of encouraging venues to ask for proof of insurance. I responded that I thought it was better to let them figure it out for themselves.

If I misunderstood....my bad
 
I still can't find anyone interested in covering me. *lol* I have called State Farm, Wells Fargo, Nationwide, Nuccio, E-Insurance, or Geico.

I am down to Al Banker and that Zurich International company. We will see if they can do anything.

Mike
 
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