Choosing the right insurance may feel overwhelming at first — like trying to sight-read a brand-new song on stage.
But don’t worry, we’re here to break it down clearly, simply, and without the noise. You’ll walk away knowing exactly how these coverages work and how they work together to keep your musical career in tune.
TL; DR
- Liability insurance covers accidents and venue damage — it’s like “crowd control” for your business.
- Equipment insurance? That’s your gear’s “personal bodyguard”, stepping in for repairs or replacements fast.
Liability vs Equipment Insurance for Musicians: What’s the Difference?
Liability insurance is designed to cover the costs of guest injuries or venue damages. Equipment insurance can help you pay to repair or replace your instruments, gear, and other business supplies if they’re stolen or accidentally damaged.
In most cases, the best way to protect your business as a musician is to have both.
After all, just one trip-and-fall incident could result in both the need to cover medical costs for a third party as well as pay for repairs if a valuable piece of your gear gets damaged in the process.
But the first step to choosing the right insurance is understanding the key differences in how the coverage works. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you weigh your options.
What Is Musician Liability Insurance?
Musician liability insurance covers the most common claims musicians face, which include things like injuries to audience members or event staff, property damage to venues, and claims of libel or slander.
If an accident happens and you’re held financially responsible, insurance can pay some or all of the bill.
Examples of Musician Liability Claims
The show must go on, even when things go wrong. Here are just a few examples of the kinds of claims musicians receive:
- A guest trips over your speaker cable and sprains their wrist = $5,000
- You knock over and break a venue’s expensive flower vase = $3,000
- You face a copyright lawsuit because a logo resembles another band’s artwork = $30,000
What Is Musician Equipment Insurance?
Musician equipment coverage pays to replace or repair your instruments and other business gear. If your equipment gets broken or stolen during a gig or while traveling between jobs, musician equipment insurance (aka inland marine) can cover the bill.
Note: Gear and equipment coverage is an add-on that’s only available with an annual policy.
Examples of Musician Equipment Claims
Your instruments and equipment are at risk for all sorts of costly accidents. These can include:
- Your guitar gets damaged after a fender bender while traveling to a gig = $2,000
- Someone steals your extra speaker from your car during a gig = $5,000
- A guest spills a drink on your acoustic guitar, causing the wood to warp = $800
Without gear and equipment coverage, you could be stuck paying out of pocket for repair or replacement costs.
Are you a DJ? Learn how to add equipment coverage to your DJ insurance policy.
How to Know Which Coverage You Need
Protecting your career and your gear shouldn’t feel like learning a new instrument overnight!
You’ve got gigs to book, songs to write, and maybe a broken amp to wrangle… So we broke things down into bite-sized, no-nonsense info to help you make the best choice with confidence (and maybe even a smile). You’ve got this — and we’ve got you.
Play 3x or More a Year?
If you play more than a few gigs per year, an annual policy is your best bet. It’s the most budget-friendly option, and keeps you gig-ready — no need to worry about grabbing a policy if a last-minute opportunity to perform comes your way.
Plus, with an annual policy, you can easily add equipment and gear coverage to beef up your protection.
If you only have one or two gigs a year, you may not need the long-term coverage. A single event policy covers one performance for up to three days.
But just a heads-up — it includes general liability only, so you won’t be able to add equipment coverage to the package.
Travel to Gigs?
Traveling to gigs with all of your instruments and equipment can be nerve-wracking!
After all, when you’re a musician, your gear is your livelihood. Add in the stress of loading and unloading, vehicles, hotels, and venues, and it’s easy to see there are potential risks everywhere.
If travel comes with your job, musician equipment insurance is an important investment.
This coverage eases the stress of taking your show on the road, paying for repair and replacement costs so you’re ready to hit the stage on the next stop of your tour.
Venues Asking for Proof of Insurance?
Whether you’re playing at a cafe, wedding, or music festival, a general liability policy is a must!
Most venues and event planners won’t hire you without insurance. After all, your risk becomes their risk when you’re performing on their stage.
That’s why venues and planners expect you to show proof of insurance before they hire you to play or offer you a contract.
Some may even require you to add them to your policy as an additional insured — so that your insurance can also protect them if they get hit with a claim because of your work.
Borrowing or Renting Equipment?
Some musicians or bands bring their own equipment to gigs while others use the venue’s amplifiers, speakers, and mic stands.
If you use the venue’s gear, make sure to get written clarification on who is responsible if it gets broken or malfunctions.
If you play and travel with your own instruments and sound systems (or even if you rent your gear), it’s best to buy musician equipment insurance.
You researched and shopped to find the right gear for your sound, so why not protect it?
Melodic Protection, One Note at a Time
Musician insurance financially protects your career from getting knocked out of tune by unnecessary risks, giving you peace of mind to impress crowds with your incredible music.
With annual coverage starting as low as $18.50 a month, you can protect your passion for about the same cost as replacing broken guitar strings.
Plus, you can add gear and equipment coverage for a little bit more and safeguard your career and instruments all year long.
Note: Gear and equipment insurance is only available as an optional add-on coverage for annual policies.
Common Questions About Musician Liability vs Equipment Insurance
Does Homeowners’ Insurance Cover Musical Instruments?
No, homeowners’ insurance typically has limited (if any) coverage for musical instruments.
On the other hand, gear and equipment coverage can financially protect you from paying out-of-pocket repair or replacement fees that result from theft or damage during or while traveling to gigs.
Does Musician Liability Insurance Cover Injuries During Rehearsals?
Yes, musician liability insurance can cover third-party injuries during rehearsals and any other business-related activities.
For example, this coverage can cover some or all of the medical fees if your gear falls off the stage and crushes a venue or event staff member’s foot.
Is Musical Instrument Insurance Worth It?
Musical instrument insurance is well worth the cost of coverage. For just a few dollars a month, your gear is protected if it’s stolen or damaged. If you can’t easily pay for repairs or replacement costs, adding equipment insurance to your general liability policy is money well spent.
