Public Liability Insurance

[The_BPP]

I've a small band, and we perform a lot of gigs. Some venues insist on us having public liability insurance, which we currently don't have.

Any recommendations for a cheap insurer?

(we just wanna tick the "insured" box, really, nothing more... Peace of mind is not very rock and/or roll).

Thanks in advance!

Andy

[ken long]

Got mine with Aviva.

£40 for £1,000,000 cover for a year.

[ef37a]

Hi Andy,
You might find it better to talk to an insurance broker and moreover one who is "muso friendly"!

I would bet you a 5mtr XLR cable that your kit is not insured under many and several circumstances as you move it from home to venue! It would also be unlikely to be covered on your normal home contents policy. A broker can go though all these matters and come up with a good deal. I do not think it costs you anything to get such a quote?

And NEVER tell a "normal" insurance company that you are a gigging musician, as far as most of them are concerned you are all a load of irresponsible crackheads!

Dave.

[Hugh Robjohns]

I was going to say join the MU because they throw in £10m PL cover... but then I saw the annual fee was £177... COuld be worth it for the other benefits and activities, but I suspect a good broker could do a better rate for PL insurance.

hugh

[ramthelinefeed]

The MU also offer a substantial discount on musical equipment insurance (via Hencilla Camworth), so that combined with the free public liability insurance still makes it cost effective to pay the MU subs (which you can pay monthly...)

[Steve A]

Am I right in thinking for the MU Public Liability insurance to apply to a band, every band member would also need to be a paid up MU member?

[shufflebeat]

Forget "Rock and Roll" this could seriously bite you.

I have PLI and gear insurance organised through the MU. The "free"/£177 issue Hugh quite rightly mentions should however be seen in context. The combination of PLI and the "free up to a certain value" gear insurance (that can in turn be used to cover the excess in any policy you might be offered) that comes with membership may make a significant difference.

Don't forget there are several perfectly proper ways to minimise your premiums, for instance if there are items of gear that never leave your house they do not require international cover. Your guitar might. It's perfectly possible for several policies to cover different levels of risk.

I consider insurance to be, like a driving licence, one of those basic elements that make gigging possible.

With decent cover you will qualify for gigs others won't. Factor that into your sums.

[ramthelinefeed]

Am I right in thinking for the MU Public Liability insurance to apply to a band, every band member would also need to be a paid up MU member?

I believe the correct answer is that MU members are forbidden from working with anyone who is not a union member, unless you drive round their house and spraypaint "SCAB" over it. Or something. NOTE: this answer may be wrong.

[shufflebeat]

Am I right in thinking for the MU Public Liability insurance to apply to a band, every band member would also need to be a paid up MU member?

I believe the correct answer is that MU members are forbidden from working with anyone who is not a union member, unless you drive round their house and spraypaint "SCAB" over it. Or something. NOTE: this answer may be wrong.

I believe that's been updated to a burning (c) on the lawn.

[The_BPP]

Got mine with Aviva.

£40 for £1,000,000 cover for a year.

That sounds like a good deal - I'll have a look!
Thanks!

[ken long]

Got mine with Aviva.

£40 for £1,000,000 cover for a year.

That sounds like a good deal - I'll have a look!
Thanks!

yes it was... but I half read your post (giltee m'lud!). I don't gig.

[mc9320]

Musicguard are also cheap. It costs me £40 to insure my keyboard for £1000000 cover

[zoosound]

+1 for musicguard. You can do it all online too which is pretty handy. I've insured the gear for my rehearsal facilities with them for about 6 years now. £150 per annum with £1m public liability included

[The_BPP]

Thanks for the update! I was somewhat disappointed with the initial lack of replies!

[TheReson8or]

I've used Simply Business for a few years, they always throw up some good bargains. Dave

[The Red Bladder]

I've used Simply Business for a few years, they always throw up some good bargains. Dave

+1

They can go from sweet-shop to multinational and have great deals and are linked to the other 'simply' companies, such as Simply Books.

[Dee]

Big bump!!

Has anyone used Ampband? They're quoting £79 for a full year with £10million PLI. Online reviews seen good but just wanted to check with SoS first!!

[Dave B]

I've been with Ampband for a couple of years now, but frankly, it's more 'a tick in the PLI box' than anything really. One thing that bugs me is that I can't figure out how to add a second band onto the policy - I think you have to take out another one and I think it's not wild about you having two...

But it seems to satisfy people who want to see the certificate. Which is nice.

[Sam Spoons]

I am just investigating PLI for some gigs my pal and I are planning to promote next spring/summer. The venue has said that the promotors are responsible for PLI, is this correct and has it changed in the last few years*?

I do remember that, when I was doing PA work, the policyholder (the boss) or named responsible person (me) had to be present in person and the policy was with respect of us supplying and running the PA/Lights/Backline but the premises were obviously responsible for anything arising from the venue.

The situation is little different with the upcoming events, three of the four are acoustic and (probably) un-amplified. My concern is that if we take out PLI as a group we will find that it does not cover us if we perform in our own right but only as promoters of other performers. Or one of the many other pitfalls. If we are going to invest money into PLI for these events it makes sense for it to cover our other activities. I guess I'll have to speak to a broker but any thoughts?

* Since I retired I have lost touch.