How to Insure DJ Equipment

Written by: Zach Wright
Updated:

To insure your DJ equipment, you need to find the right insurance company for you. DJing may seem like a relatively safe job where you can just relax and playback your favorite mixes. On the contrary, a little fluke can end up destroying your career. Let’s face it, when people are grooving to your music, things can get a little out of control. It takes one person tripping over a wire or spilling his drink to cause absolute chaos.

What you are left with are damaged equipment, destroyed venues, and several injured people. You might as well pack up your stuff and leave the country. There are bound to be several lawsuits being filed against you.

On the other hand, if you play it smart and get DJ insurance, you can save yourself a lot of trouble and still be a renowned DJ. Whether you’re a mobile DJ or a club DJ, insurance not only helps you prevent lawsuits but also helps you protect your equipment and cover its costs.

If you want to find more about what insurance options you have as a DJ, read ahead and find out!

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How to Choose Your Insurance

Choosing your insurance can be quite overwhelming, especially when you're unaware of the different kinds of DJ insurances available in the market. The situation is made worse by the fact that you're unaware of the jargon they use in their policy contracts. To help you get a fair quote, look for the following policies:

General or Public Liability Insurance

This liability insurance policy helps you cover any damages to property and venue in case of accidents. Usually, the insurance coverage is about one million to two million dollars. Furthermore, the insurance coverage limits to any injuries to other people around you caused by your equipment.

Why Should You Get It?

a dj playing in a night club

If you're a DJ that performs regularly at nightclubs or bars, then this disc jockey insurance can help you avoid lawsuits and costs in damages. Most nightclubs already have a liability coverage which you can use as well. On the other hand, some clubs might ask you to have your own liability coverage before they can book you.

We highly recommend that you ask your nightclub owners about what kind of protection they provide and how much are they willing to extend to you.

If, however, you are working for weddings, private parties etc. as a mobile DJ, then you need to get your own coverage. Private venues also require you to carry your own coverage or proof of insurance sometimes.

Inland Marine Coverage

This insurance helps you cover the cost of any damaged or stolen equipment. There are conditions and terms to the policy as well. These can include sufficient evidence that the equipment was stolen or that the damage was not caused by the Police.

Why Should You Get It?

It can help you protect your equipment from damage especially if you're a mobile DJ. DJ equipment tends to be very fragile and can cost hundreds of dollars! If you're often carrying it around, chances are you can damage it easily. The coverage helps you protect it from damage or theft.

Of course, there are a few precautions you need to follow. Always ensure that the alarm is set and the doors are locked. This way, the insurance claim investigators can make sure that the house was actually breached. Furthermore, keep in mind to declare the actual value of the products. This way, if any unfortunate event occurs, you'll be reimbursed with the full amount.

Commercial Crime Coverage

The insurance helps cover any costs if the club steals or damages your gear or in case it doesn't pay you.

Why Should You Get It?

As we've already mentioned, DJ equipment can cost a lot. You don't want to be on the short end of the stick when someone betrays you. If your club owner or manager steals your property or even if one of your employees steal the equipment, you can rest easy knowing your insurance will cover the costs.

Apart from this, your club owner can refuse to pay you for outrageous reasons. This way you can try aiming for every gig without worrying about any frauds. The insurance will reimburse you for any such costs.

Our Top Tips to Follow

When choosing out an insurance policy for your DJ business, we recommend you follow these tips:

1. Proof read:

The insurance agent might tell you in detail about the kind of coverage they offer. It's very tempting to sign it off, thinking you are aware of all their terms. We highly recommend that you proofread their policy and check thoroughly for all fine print. This helps you understand the coverage much better.

2. Estimate True Value:

Most insurance companies ask you to make premium annual installations based on the total value of your equipment. It's tempting to claim a smaller value to get a smaller premium, but keep in mind that you'll only get covered for the amount you claim.

3. Join a DJ Association:

There are numerous DJ associations out there that offer discounts on various coverage options. These DJ associations charge a small amount of money for registration, nevertheless, the long-term benefits are undeniable.

How Much Does DJ Insurance Cost?

Of course, the cost varies from insurance company to company, however, following are average costs for each of the three different types of insurance costs:

1. General or Public Liability:

The average yearly premium installation ranges from $100 - $400 and provides a coverage of about $1,000,000 - $2,000,000.

2. Inland Marine:

The average annual premium installments are about $150 - $200 for equipment worth $15,000.

3. Commercial Crime Coverage:

Covers about $5000 - $6000 in all damage and loss, while you are required to pay about $50 in premium

Where to Get DJ Insurance?

There are various local companies that offer DJ insurance. We recommend that you carefully research the policies these companies offer and then opt for the best one. Most of these companies offer online quotes where you simply need to enter the data and get an accurate quote on your required policy.

Bottom Line

All in all, a DJ insurance policy can help you protect your equipment and keep your business running even after disaster strikes. No more worrying about spilled alcohol on the laptop at the nightclubs or the speakers falling! Of course, you should be careful, but the insurance will help you focus on your job without worrying about pesky details!

Written By:
Zach has a vast experience in digital audio and sound design. Being a studio owner for 13 years, he actively helps musicians and producers with technical issues around musical instruments and studio and audio equipment.

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