“Break a leg!” is just a phrase, but if someone in the audience breaks a bone (or a piece of your equipment), it could be a problem. If they trip over your gear and get hurt, you could be held responsible for their medical bills.
Having the right insurance helps protect your business, so you can focus on your performance. These common entertainer liability insurance claims highlight the most frequent issues performers face and how the right coverage safeguards your gigs.
The Most Common Insurance Claims for Entertainers and Performers
The most common entertainer insurance claims are property damage, third-party injury, advertising mistakes, fire or damage to rented premises, and equipment damage. Even flawlessly-rehearsed programs occasionally hit snags. Having the right liability coverage is an excellent way to protect yourself in case something goes sideways.
| Common Claim | Coverage That Can Help |
|---|---|
|
Property damage |
|
|
Third-party injuries |
General liability insurance |
|
Advertising mistakes |
Personal & Advertising Injury Coverage (typically included in General Liability) |
|
Fire damage |
Damage to Premises Rented to You (Fire Legal Liability, typically included in General Liability) |
|
Damage to your equipment |
Inland Marine (Tools & Equipment) |
Note: Claim scenario circumstances vary in nature, and similar claims do not guarantee coverage. Each instance is unique, and we assess all claims based on your individual circumstances.
Claim Type: Property Damage
Musicians, DJs, dancers, bands, and other entertainers typically perform at public venues or in spaces you don’t own or rent yourself. So, what happens if you knock an amp into one of the venue’s walls and leave a dent? Or, while setting up, you bump an expensive statue and cause it to fall and break?
Even when it’s an accident, if you damage a venue’s property, you’ll likely be on the hook for the cost of repairs.
What an incident like this could cost: Depending on the size and location of a dent or scratch, you could end up owing the venue as little as $150 or as much as $1,000+ for repairs. If you damage a piece of fine or custom art, the replacement and repair costs could be astronomical for your small business.
- Minor property damage claim: $200-$1,000+
- Major or fine art property damage: $3,000+ (with large or custom art pieces reaching $10,000+)
- If it becomes a lawsuit: $75,000+ to defend and settle
Coverage That Could Help:
General liability insurance is designed to cover third-party property damage claims, including damage to a venue’s interior or exterior, or other property that belongs to someone else. Plus, most venues require outside performers to carry their own general liability insurance in case an accident does happen.
Claim Type: Bodily Injury
Even the most practiced and safety-conscious entertainer can’t control every variable of every event. You can’t control every action of every event attendee, either.
Say you’re a professional mall Santa during the holidays, and one day a particularly restless child comes to visit. While sharing their Christmas wishlist, the child suddenly zigs when you expect them to zag. They fall, and the parents file a claim against you for their child’s medical bills.
What an incident like this could cost: A child trips and falls while visiting you as Santa Claus, fractures their arm, and the family ends up with a pile of hospital bills, often running thousands of dollars.
- Customer injury claim: $1,000–$31,000+
- What drives it: Severity of injury, hospital bills, ongoing or follow-up care
- If it becomes a lawsuit: $75,000+ to defend and settle
Coverage That Could Help:
Entertainer insurance is also designed for third-party bodily injury claims that arise from accidents involving or caused by your business operations. This can vary widely, from instances of someone tripping and injuring themselves due to sloppy cords to the layout of your equipment.
It can cover medical bills and legal costs if there’s a lawsuit related to the injury claim. Plus, the Medical Expenses portion of your general liability coverage may provide small payments to help cover bodily injury claims, regardless of fault.
Pro tip: Falls are consistently ranked as the number one cause of preventable injuries and nonfatal emergency room visits by the National Safety Council (NSC). This is why taking steps to prevent trip-and-fall accidents at every gig is crucial for entertainers.
Claim Type: Defamation, Libel and Slander
You perform a magic show at a corporate holiday party and afterwards the client leaves you a harsh, and exaggerated review. Frustrated, you respond with a public social media post, saying they were rude, difficult to work with, and making up complaints as an excuse to not pay you.
What an incident like this could cost: The client denies your claims and threatens you with a defamation lawsuit unless the post is removed and damages are paid.
- Defamation lawsuit costs: $15,000 to $25,000 to reach a resolution, 100,000+ if it escalates
Coverage That Could Help:
Personal and Advertising Injury coverage, typically included as part of general liability coverage, covers claims involving things like defamation and invasion of privacy. It may help pay for legal costs and settlement fees. Exact coverage depends on policy language and the nature of the claim.
Claim Type: Fire and Damage to Rented Premises
Your band rents a studio for a few days to record some new music. One day, an outlet sparks, causing a small electrical fire. You’re able to contain it, but there’s still some damage to one of the studio walls.
What an incident like this could cost: The studio owner will likely hold you accountable for the damage to the space and expect you to cover the cost of repairs.
- Fire claim cost: $3,000-$52,000+
- What drives it: Size of the fire and extent of the damage
Coverage That Could Help:
This is what Damage to Premises Rented to You, or Fire Legal Liability coverage is for. It’s typically built into a policy’s general liability coverage and is designed to cover damage to a space you rent.
Like Insurance Canopy’s performer insurance, many liability policies cover damage to rented spaces from any cause as long as you’re renting the space for seven days or less. If you rent a space for more than seven days, this coverage only applies to fire damage.
Claim Type: Gear and Equipment Damage
For many entertainers, your gear is essential for doing your job. Musicians can’t perform without their instruments, and DJs can’t perform without their music libraries and controllers.
You’re a wedding DJ with back-to-back weekends booked. During the first reception, an enthusiastic guest wants to make a request but spills their drink onto your laptop and controller. Within minutes, the music starts skipping, and your controller stops responding.
What an incident like this could cost: Damage to your crucial electronics may cost hundreds to repair or thousands to replace. Getting equipment repairs or replacements costs you time, money, and potential future income if you have to cancel or turn down gigs.
Equipment costs: $1,000–$5,000
What drives it: Extent of the damage, age, and quality of the equipment
Coverage That Could Help:
Gear and Equipment Coverage (Inland Marine) is an optional add-on that covers items you own or rent and use for work, like laptops, DJ mixers, instruments, amps, speakers, and other portable equipment. It’s designed to help you pay for repairs or replacements if your gear is damaged or stolen.
Most equipment insurance comes with a deductible, but a $250 deductible is easier to pay than $3,000 for new gear. This is how gear coverage is designed to get your business back on track faster than if you were on your own.
Types of Entertainer Claims Insurance Won’t Cover
Liability insurance is designed to protect against the unexpected and the unintentional, but there are some things it can’t cover.
| Not Covered | Details |
|---|---|
|
Fraud |
Claims arising from fraudulent acts or misrepresentation |
|
Intentional damage |
Damage intentionally caused to people or property |
|
Normal wear and tear |
Routine deterioration, aging, or maintenance-related issues |
|
Vehicles you own or use |
Autos and auto accidents are not covered unless you purchase commercial auto coverage |
|
Injuries to you |
Injuries sustained by you, the policyholder |
|
Operating without licenses |
Claims resulting from operating without required licenses, permits, or certifications |
How to Reduce Your Risk of a Claim
Insurance is your financial safety net in case of accidents, but risk prevention is how you keep accidents from happening in the first place. A few habits to keep your performances running smoothly:
- Before each gig, review your contract to confirm insurance and other requirements
- Identify your venue contact on arrival to confirm load-in routes, your performance areas, the location of high-traffic walkways, and escalation or accident response procedures
- Walk the stage/performance area to scan for things like uneven surfaces or unstable platforms
- Minimize tripping hazards by keeping cords and similar gear away from high-traffic paths, taping exposed runs, and coiling slack near you
- Stabilize your gear to prevent injury or property damage accidents; lock wheels, secure speaker tripods, and check for anything that could tip over
- Keep drinks away from instruments, mixers, power strips, and other equipment
- Keep updated records on your equipment and its overall condition
- Don’t leave your gear unsecured or unattended
Pro tip: Falls are consistently ranked as the number one cause of preventable injuries and nonfatal emergency room visits by the National Safety Council (NSC). This is why taking steps to prevent trip-and-fall accidents at every gig is crucial for entertainers.
Protect Your Business With Insurance Canopy
Insurance Canopy’s entertainer insurance helps fill the gap between the preventable and the unexpected. It provides the crucial liability coverages that performers typically need and venues often require.
Insurance Canopy offers both single-event policies ($59/event) and annual policies ($18.50/month or $199/year) for musicians, DJs, magicians, clowns, and more. Same day coverage with instant proof of insurance available.
So don’t risk it all on luck — get your performer coverage today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Entertainer Liability Insurance
What Does Performer and Entertainer Insurance Cover?
Entertainer insurance typically covers liability risks that come with putting on a show for an audience, including third-party bodily injury, property damage, and advertising injury claims tied to your performances. It’s designed to pay for things like a guest’s medical bills after a fall or repairs to a venue you damage accidentally.
Insurance Canopy also offers several optional coverages to help fill gaps in your coverage, including gear and equipment coverage and cyber liability insurance.
Do I Need Insurance if I Only Perform Occasionally?
Yes.
Risks don’t disappear because you only work a few gigs a year. Any time you work with or around the general public, you need liability insurance. Plus, most venues will require you to show proof of insurance before working with you or allowing you to perform on their property.
Does Entertainer Insurance Cover My Instruments or Equipment?
Not automatically. The base entertainer policy includes general liability coverage, which only covers damages done to others. To get coverage for your work gear, add Gear and Equipment Coverage to your policy.
What Is a Certificate of Insurance (COI)?
A Certificate of Insurance is your proof of insurance document. It shows your policy’s active dates, the type of coverage you have, and the coverage amounts. Venues and clients typically request one before your event to confirm you’re covered if something goes wrong on-site.
What’s the Difference Between a Single-Event Policy and an Annual Policy?
Insurance Canopy’s annual policies cover 365 days for as low as $18.50 per month or $199 per year. You can also add optional coverages, like gear and equipment or cyber liability, to annual policies.
Event policies cover up to three consecutive days for as low as $59. They include the same general liability coverages as annual policies, but gear coverage and cyber liability are not available on Event policies.
Both policies allow you to add additional insureds, choose same-day coverage, and get instant access to your COI.
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.
