- Last Updated:
- 12/9/2024
- 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.
You may think Disc Jockey (DJ) liability insurance is another business expense you’d rather not add. But besides protecting your career, did you know owning DJ insurance offers numerous perks?
For one thing, being insured shows venue owners and event organizers you care about protecting your business and theirs — which can score you more gigs and attention vs. DJs who aren’t covered.
Let’s learn more about the benefits of having DJ insurance — and some of the risks you face whether your gig is at a small gathering or a large party. Without insurance, you could be stuck paying for expensive claims yourself.
Still not convinced? These five reasons may change your mind.
Top 5 Reasons Why Insurance is a Must for Every DJ
Accidents and risks can occur at all types of gigs, no matter the crowd size — including trip-and-fall accidents, your gear scuffing a venue’s stage or floor, or someone damaging your equipment.
Insurance acts as a safety net to protect your career and finances.
Insurance Promotes Your Business
Having insurance can promote your DJ services and build trust among venue owners, event coordinators, and other prospective clients.
When they see your Certificate of Insurance (COI), they take your business more seriously. The venue or event coordinator also knows that your insurance can pay for some or all of the damages during your gig.
Insurance offers instant credibility, and you can display your insurance badge proudly on any number of marketing assets, including your:
- Website
- Social media profiles
- Business cards
- Email signatures
- Contracts
- Online ads
- Direct mailers
It Meets Venue and Event Organizers’ Requirements
Many venues and events require proof of insurance for DJs and other types of entertainers to perform. Venues and event organizers may also ask you to add them as an additional insured to your policy.
Your coverage protects additional insureds in case someone files a claim naming them because of an issue you caused.
For example, one of your speakers falls and injures an attendee, leading to an emergency room trip. They sue both you and the venue’s owner for their medical bills and damages.
In this scenario, your DJ insurance can protect you and the venue since the accident arose out of your work.
Insurance Protects Your Finances from Common Liability Risks
General liability insurance is the most popular type of DJ insurance you need.
It’s included in our DJ event insurance as well as annual plans to protect you from two common types of liability hazards: third-party injuries and third-party property damage.
For example, you’re DJing at a restaurant. A customer sustains injuries after tripping and falling over your equipment and sues you to cover their medical costs.
Or, you have a wedding gig at a local venue. You accidentally scuff up the floor while setting up your speakers and fog machines. The venue can file a claim and send you the repair bill.
Another example is you rent a recording studio to record your mixes into an album. You unknowingly overload the outlets with your equipment and cause a small fire.
General liability insurance is designed to safeguard you from paying out of pocket for claims like these.
It Defends Your Career and Professional Reputation
Personal and advertising injury, which is included with general liability insurance, protects your career and reputation from the following types of claims:
- Libel and slander
- False advertising
- Defamation
- False arrest
- Copyright infringement
- Invasion of privacy
- Misappropriation of advertising ideas — and more
Let’s say you use a model in an advertisement for your business for flyers, web ads, business cards, and more.
The model sues you for using their likeness without their permission. Personal and advertising injury can cover some or all of your legal and settlement fees.
Insurance Covers Stolen or Damaged Equipment
Besides your innate ability to hype a crowd, your DJ equipment and gear are your most essential tools.
Investing in good DJ speakers, headphones, and controllers took time and money. Why not protect your investment with gear and equipment insurance to cover theft or damages?
For example, you’re driving to an outdoor show but get rear-ended, and most of your gear sustains heavy damage. This coverage can help you pay repair or replacement fees to keep performing worry-free.
Why Get DJ Insurance From Insurance Canopy?
Your DJ business is your life — something you built with your bare hands. Don’t let it go up in smoke because of pricey claims or legal and settlement fees. Protect yourself so you can focus on what matters most: the music.
The cost of DJ insurance is only $18.50 a month (or as little as $59 for a one-time event) and adding one additional insured to your policy costs $5, and unlimited additional insureds costs $10.
Complete your application in just 10 minutes or less and get instant coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Is DJ Public Liability Insurance – and Do I Need It?
DJ public liability insurance is coverage that gives you financial protection from bodily injury, property damage, and personal and advertising injury claims. DJs face unique risks at numerous events and accidents that can catastrophically end their business.
Do DJs Need Insurance If They Only Play Private Events?
Absolutely. DJs should have insurance for all events — private or public — because risks are everywhere, and accidents can happen anywhere. Without DJ insurance, you could pay expensive claims and bills out of pocket.
Why Do Venues Require Me to Have Insurance?
Venues require you to have insurance so they’re not held responsible for mishaps that happen because of your performance. They may also ask you to add them as an additional insured to your policy to protect them from expensive claims.
Do Wedding DJs Need Insurance?
Yes, wedding DJs need insurance to meet venue requirements because risks can happen at weddings, too. For example, while carrying one of your speakers into another room, you trip, and the speaker scuffs a nearby wall. You’d be stuck paying full price for the damages if you don’t have insurance.
