- Last Updated:
- 11/4/2024
- Khaleel Hayes
JoAnne Hammer | Program Manager
JoAnne Hammer is the Program Manager for Insurance Canopy. She has held the prestigious Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation since July 2004.
JoAnne understands that starting and operating a business takes a tremendous amount of time, dedication, and financial resources. She believes that insurance is the single best way to protect your investment, business, and personal assets.
JoAnne Hammer is the Program Manager for Insurance Canopy. She has held the prestigious Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation since July 2004.
JoAnne understands that starting and operating a business takes a tremendous amount of time, dedication, and financial resources. She believes that insurance is the single best way to protect your investment, business, and personal assets.
DJ event insurance is a must. It’s designed to protect you financially from common risks you may encounter (or unknowingly create) on the job.
For example, you’re hosting a “secret” listening party event in a club basement before the release of your latest album that features a few local artists. Before playing the album, you lock the basement doors so no one can enter or exit. One of the attendees could sue you for wrongful detainment.
Or, you’re setting up stereos and equipment, and an attendee trips over one of your cords and injures themselves. They could sue you to pay for their medical bills.
DJ event insurance is designed to protect you from claims like these and makes you look more professional than your non-insured peers.
4 Reasons DJs Need Insurance To Do Events
Admit it: thinking about getting event insurance while setting up for a gig is not your biggest priority. We get it. But have you ever thought about what could go wrong during one of your sets and how those risks could potentially drain your bottom line?
You may be thinking, “I’ve been DJing for a while and never had anything go wrong.” Oh, how the tables can turn, my friend! You could be having one of the best gigs of your life until your DJ equipment scuffs the floor of the venue you play at and they file a claim against you for property damage.
Or, you’re using strobe lights that give a party-goer a seizure or a migraine. They sue you to pay for their medical expenses. Without insurance, you’ll have to pay for claims like these out of pocket.
Now that we have your attention, here are four ideal reasons to buy DJ event insurance for your next gig.
Claims Are Expensive
Not only are claims bad for your DJ business’s reputation, but they’re also pricey. Check out these examples:
- A DJ’s equipment fell and damaged a venue’s flooring: $850
- Equipment set up left damage to a client’s space: $416
And we all know how expensive medical bills can get. If something goes wrong at your gig and an event attendee requires medical attention, you could be sued for those expenses, too. Unless you have infinite amounts of cash, paying for these claims out of pocket will put a dent in your bottom line.
Venues and Event Organizers Require It
Most venues and events require DJs and other performers to have insurance to work with them. If something goes wrong and you’re at fault, your insurance can cover the damages.
Also, it’s common for venues or event organizers to ask you to add them to your policy as an additional insured. For example, one of your speakers falls off the stage and breaks an attendee’s foot, and they name you and the venue in their lawsuit.
As an additional insured, your coverage is extended to the venue. So if an accident like this happens because of your DJ business, they can also be covered by your insurance.
Insurance Showcases Your Professionalism
Getting DJ event insurance edges you out over non-insured competitors. It shows you care about protecting yourself, your career, your business, and the venues and events you work with. Having insurance also shows your dedication and professionalism, because you took the time to research and find the right coverage that best fits your business’s needs.
It Can Protect Your DJ Career and Investments
For those still asking the question, “Do you need insurance to DJ?” Yes. The answer is always yes.
Let’s say, for example, you have a fog machine for dramatic effect. However, you’re playing songs in front of large windows. Fog from your machine causes condensation and smudging on the windows, and the venue owners claim you damaged their property.
DJ event insurance is designed to pay for these and other claims so you can focus on what’s important — playing great music at your next gig.
Essential Coverage All DJs Need for Events
Whether you’re playing at a wedding, a nightclub, a corporate party, or a bachelorette party, DJ event insurance has your back for any 1-3 day occasion starting at $59.
For those still asking, “Do you need insurance as a DJ?” here’s how you win with event DJ insurance:
- General liability: Protects you from third-party medical and property damage claims, libel, slander, invasion of privacy, wrongful detainment, and more.
- Products–completed operations: Defends against injuries or property damage that resulted from defective products you created and sold or services you provided. For example, you may sell custom-made headphones, but one of your customers said it caused ear soreness. They could sue you for a defective product.
- Excess liability coverage: Need to up your general liability coverage by another million dollars for an event? You can do that for an additional fee.
- Additional insureds: If you need to add an additional insured to your policy, pay a one-time fee of $5 for one or $10 for unlimited.
DJ Event Insurance Vs. Annual Coverage - Which Is Best for You?
Here’s a snapshot of Insurance Canopy’s event and annual entertainer insurance for DJs and how each can benefit your business.
| Coverages | DJ Event Insurance | DJ Annual Insurance |
|---|---|---|
|
Starting Price |
$59 Per 1-3 Day Event |
$18.50 Per Month |
|
General Liability Coverage (Personal Advertising and Injury; Medical Expense Limit; Damage to Premises Rented to You, etc.) |
✅ |
✅ |
|
Additional Insureds ($5 for One and $10 for Unlimited) |
✅ |
✅ |
|
❌ |
✅ |
|
|
Cyber Liability Coverage |
❌ |
✅ |
|
Instant Printable Certificate of Insurance (COI) |
✅ |
✅ |
Choosing DJ event or annual insurance coverage puts you in the driver’s seat and shows others how serious you are about protecting your business. Focus on playing great tracks, and we’ll focus on covering you for those what-ifs that could try to derail your business and dreams.
Common Questions About Why DJs Need Insurance for Events
Why Do DJs Need Insurance?
DJs need insurance to protect themselves financially from things that can go wrong during a gig — third-party trip-and-fall injuries, stolen or damaged equipment, defective products, defamation, advertising mistakes, and so on. Claims like these could financially ruin their business.
What Is the Purpose of Event Insurance?
The purpose of event insurance is to protect you while performing at events like weddings, birthday parties, corporate fundraisers, and other gatherings from potential risks. Event insurance also shows clients, venues, and others that you’re serious about protecting your career and business.
Do DJs Need a Certificate of Insurance?
Yes, DJs need a Certificate of Insurance (COI) for proof of insurance when getting gigs at venues or events. It can be challenging to get shows or host events without a COI.
How Much Does Liability Insurance Cost for DJs?
DJ liability insurance only costs $59 per 1-3 day events or $18.50 a month for year-long protection.
