If you’re a Disc Jockey (DJ) with gigs at weddings, clubs, or beach parties, DJ insurance isn’t a to-do-list item — it’s a business necessity! Get the lowdown on how these coverages work and give you peace of mind while you spin those tracks, even if mishaps occur.
Your DJ Insurance Quick-Start Checklist:
- General liability: Covers guest injuries and venue damage
- Gear and equipment: Pays repair and replacement fees if stolen
- Cyber liability: Protection from data breaches, cyber attacks, and phishing scams
What is DJ Insurance? DJ insurance is a financial safety net for your business if unexpected risks happen — for example, a guest trips over one of your cords and sprains their ankle or your equipment scuffs a venue’s floor.
Protect your Career: Core Coverages Most DJs Need
Not all DJ insurance policies are the same, but we’ve identified the most popular coverages and why they matter for your business.
General Liability (aka Public Liability)
Most venues and events won’t even book you without this coverage. Although they carry their own insurance, it doesn’t protect you if accidents happen. You need insurance for your business.
General liability insurance is essential because it defends against risks that can happen before, during, or after gigs, such as:
- Guest injuries
- Venue or event damages
- Damage to a venue’s or another DJ’s reputation because of your advertising efforts
This coverage is your ticket for more gigs over your noninsured competitors. You also gain client trust and respect because they know you’re prepared if the unexpected happens.
General Liability Claim Examples
- A guest suffers serious injuries from a slip and fall after your confetti blast = $70,000
- Your gear damages a venue’s hardwood floor = $1,960
- A venue’s glass door breaks while you bring in your gear = $850
Equipment & Gear Coverage (Inland Marine)
You’ve invested so much time and money into finding the right gear and sound for your business. Why not protect it with coverage that works as hard as you do? After all, this insurance doesn’t cost as much as your equipment did.
DJ equipment and gear coverage is an optional add-on that protects your gear if it’s damaged or stolen during events or while traveling to performances. Without this coverage, you’re on the hook for repair or replacement costs. Plus, you can protect equipment you rent for gigs, including speakers, photo booths, fog and cold spark machines, and light displays.
Equipment Claim Examples
- An automatic sprinkler system at an outdoor wedding soaks your gear = $4,664
- A rainstorm appears at your outdoor gig and ruins all your gear = $1,576
- Someone spills their drink on your turntables at a corporate party = $887
Cyber Liability Insurance
Cyberattacks can happen to any business, but they don’t have to derail your career. Cyber Liability insurance is an optional add-on that gives you the peace of mind to focus on your gigs and manage customer payments securely. This coverage helps with data restoration and legal fees if a hacker compromises your client’s payment information or other sensitive data
Cyber Liability Claim Examples
- A hacker hijacks your customers’ credit card info when you use public Wi-Fi = $12,221
- You scan a QR code, and your customers’ information is held for ransom = $17,490
- Hackers use credential-stuffing to steal your client rosters and invoices = $22,592
Additional Insureds: Why Venues Ask to Be On Your Policy
Some venues and events may ask you to add them to your policy as an additional insured.
For example, a guest may file a claim against you, and the event planner or venue owner to hold them accountable. If you add venue owners or event planners as additional insureds to your policy, they’re protected if something goes wrong at your gig. Keep in mind, you only need to add them as an additional insured if they request it.
Adding additional insureds to your DJ policy is simple:
- Log in to your customer dashboard
- Click “Add Additional Insureds” or “Add Unlimited Additional Insureds”
- Complete the information and pay the applicable fees
- Note: it’s $10 for unlimited additional insureds and $5 for one
- We’ll send a Certificate of Insurance (COI) to your additional insureds at no extra cost
One-Day vs Annual Coverage: How to Decide
Annual DJ insurance is your best option because you get year-round protection starting at $18.50 a month — about the same price you’d pay for XLR cables or an LED light strip for your booth. You can also protect your gear, the backbone of your business, with our optional gear and equipment insurance add-on.
Still on the fence? Use our quick guide to compare annual and event DJ policies based on your needs.
Quick Guide: Annual vs. Event Insurance for DJs
Swipe →
| If This Sounds Like You… | Pick This Policy | Why It Fits |
|---|---|---|
|
You DJ 1–2 times a year, one-offs, or last-minute gigs |
Event policy (1–3 days) |
Covers setup, performance, and teardown for a single gig; satisfies most venue COI requirements |
|
You play 3+ gigs a year, have future events booked, or want year-round proof of insurance |
Annual policy (12 months) |
365-day protection; usually cheaper once you hit ~4 gigs/year vs. paying per event |
|
You need coverage for your speakers, decks, laptop, lights, or rented equipment |
Annual |
Gear and equipment coverage is only available with annual policies |
|
You need to list a venue as an Additional Insured |
Both |
Both policy types let you add Additional Insureds and receive same-day COIs |
|
You need cyber liability insurance because you book events and take client payments online |
Annual |
Cyber liability insurance is only available for annual policies |
Is DJ Insurance Worth It? (+ Claim Examples)
All it takes is one or two accidents to drain your profits. DJ insurance protects you from paying hundreds or thousands out of pocket for claims that could pop up at any of your gigs. These real-world claim examples showcase how insurance can save the day – and your business.
Swipe →
| Claim Type | What Happened | Total Amount DJ Insurance Covered |
|---|---|---|
|
General liability |
A guest injures their elbow after tripping over your bubble machine |
$419 |
|
Gear and equipment |
Someone steals a mixer out of your car while you’re packing up your tools |
$2,407 (covered with equipment insurance add-on) |
|
Cyber liability |
An unsuspicious phishing email steals your clients’ payment info |
$16,342 (covered with cyber liability insurance add-on) |
Learn about more common claims DJs face on the job and how to ensure your business is protected.
Get the Insurance You Need as a DJ Today
With DJ insurance from Insurance Canopy, we’ll handle the what-ifs — spilled drinks, damaged speakers, and venue requirements — while you focus on creating and delivering stellar setlists. Secure coverage today to protect your dream job with peace of mind, so tomorrow’s gigs feel less “fingers crossed” and more “let’s go.”
Common Questions About What Insurance You Need as a DJ
What Insurance Do I Need to Get Work as a DJ?
You need general liability insurance to get work for your DJ business because most venue owners and events require you to have it before they hire you. This coverage includes:
- Protection for any guest injuries
- Repair costs if you accidentally cause damage at a venue
- Legal fees if your advertising materials damage a venue’s or another DJ’s reputation
What’s the Best Insurance for DJs?
Insurance Canopy is the best DJ insurance company because we:
- Offer policies tailored to your unique risks
- Provide access to policy docs 24/7 via an online dashboard
- Provide licensed, non-commissioned agent support
- Give customers the most affordable $2M general liability coverage
- Don’t charge more based on your state
- Offer a 100% online, easy application that takes 10 minutes or less
How Fast Can I Get a COI for a Venue?
You receive a certificate of insurance (COI) the same day you apply, and if you add an additional insured, we’ll send a copy to them immediately at no extra cost.
Does DJ Insurance Cover My Gear?
DJ insurance can only cover your gear if you add the optional equipment insurance (starting at $7.50 a month) to your annual policy. It covers gear you buy and rent for gigs, such as:
- Speakers
- Mixers
- Turntables
- Fog or bubble machines
- Photo booths
- Cold spark machines
Why Do I Need Insurance If a Venue Has Insurance?
Although a venue has insurance, their policy only protects them. Your own insurance policy protects you and your business if something goes wrong during your gig or set.
