As a performer who is busy practicing, scheduling, and performing shows across the country, you may find things like insurance falling through the cracks. However, when you go on tour you will want to be well protected as it is vital for your band’s success. Touring insurance is specifically designed to provide bands, comedians, and other types of performers with the coverage they need to tour safely. By choosing a reliable entertainment insurance broker, you can determine how much coverage you will need and complete the necessary steps that will protect you should an incident occur while on tour.
What is Touring Insurance?
Touring insurance is a type of insurance coverage offered to musical groups, house bands, and other touring entertainers that travel and perform shows on the road. This flexible insurance can typically cover a number of shows or tours during the policy term and includes entertainers of various genres and backgrounds. Touring insurance generally includes up to a certain amount for liability and equipment coverage based on the amount of insurance you need. Coverage may include owned equipment, rented equipment, third party property damage, automobile liability, and general liability claims.
To qualify for touring insurance you must meet certain eligibility terms which may include a limitation to how many members can be in a “group” and how much the performing group can make in annual gross income. Also, some types of performers may be ineligible for certain touring insurance policies. While the policies typically covers bands, impersonators, impressionists, magicians, celebrity look-alikes, and similar performers, other performers like circus performers, escape artists, hypnotists, public speakers, and stunt performers may not be covered. Some policies do not cover certain genres of music, such as punk, hip hop, techno, and grunge. If you are not sure if your band may be covered, speak with an entertainment insurance broker.
When you go on tour with your band, you are making a large investment backed by a significant amount of money. This means that the amount of risk your band is taking is fairly large. It is important to plan ahead to ensure that your band will be protected if something does not go as expected during the tour. The overall cost of your policy will be based on a variety of factors, such as your band’s touring history, as well as other factors like your cancellation history.
What Does Touring Insurance Cover?
Touring insurance is designed to protect against third party bodily injury, as well as property damage that may result from a band’s products or operations. If an audience member or staff member at the venue sustain injuries or cause property damage, the band may be held responsible. If the band is found to be responsible for such injuries or damage, they will potentially be required to pay for any medical treatment required by the injured party. The claim may also include other costs, such as lost wages and pain and suffering.
There are many situations in which touring insurance would provide ample coverage for bands. Say a band was performing on stage and invited an audience member to join them. Soon after stepping onto stage the audience member trips on a loose wire, causing her to fall onto a speaker, injuring herself and causing thousands of dollars in property damage. Touring insurance would protect the band in the event that they were sued by a third party for unintentional injuries or damage. It may also cover any legal costs associated with the accident.
In some instances, touring insurance is essential depending on where you plan to perform. While liability insurance is often required by law for venues who host live performances, the musicians themselves may also be required to have some type of touring insurance in place before they can play at certain venues. This protects both the venue and band in the event that a piece of expensive equipment is dropped or someone becomes injured during the performance. Many times, the owner of a venue will require proof of a band’s insurance coverage before they can schedule an event.
Who Should Have Touring Insurance?
If you have a band and are planning to go on tour, you could probably benefit from touring insurance. You should also have touring insurance if you own, rent, or use musical instruments, laptops, or electronic equipment from a third party. Touring equipment covers a wide range of situations to ensure that you can relax and focus while on tour. Along with protection for injuries and property damage, touring insurance may provide coverage in the event of accident loss and theft. It may also cover your equipment while in transit or while it sits in an unattended vehicle.
Touring equipment can provide your band with the peace of mind that if something does go wrong, your band is protected from hefty financial loss. While every policy is different, touring insurance may provide coverage in the event that your event is cancelled or must be rescheduled. This allows you to recoup any income losses you may experience due to the cancellation of gigs or tours. Touring insurance may also provide the coverage you need if you must cancel due to an accident or illness. If you own or rent expensive gear or equipment, having touring insurance is a no brainer. The last thing you want to do is take money out of your own pocket to pay for new gear.
Contact an Entertainment Insurance Broker
While on tour, protecting your investment should be one of your main priorities. Whether you fall ill while en-route, experience dangerous weather conditions that stops you in your tracks, or drop a piece of expensive equipment that needs to be replaced quickly, having touring insurance can help. It is also there for you if a member of the public is injured or killed as a result of your negligence. Want to learn more about touring insurance or how to apply for it? Contact an experienced entertainment insurance broker in your area.