Best DJ Insurance Companies Compared
The best insurance company for most DJs is Insurance Canopy, due to its combination of affordability and flexibility, highly rated carrier and customer service, and ease of purchase. We compared popular DJ insurance options to help you better understand what each offers and make sure you choose the best one for your professional needs.
- Insurance Canopy: Best overall DJ insurance
- DJ Insurance in Minutes: Quick application process
- Thimble: Coverage by the hour
- Next: Broad range of add-ons
- One Day Event: Offers basic DJ general liability insurance
Note: Transparency is one of Insurance Canopy’s core brand values. This guide was created with the most recent and verifiable information available at the time of writing to help our readers identify which provider is best for their business (even if it’s not us).
Best DJ Insurance Companies Compared
| Provider | Starting Monthly Cost for General Liability* | Same Day COI / Buy 100% Online | General Liability (Base Policy) | Unlimited Additional Insureds Included?** | Base Coverage Limit Compared |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Insurance Canopy |
$18.50 per month |
|
|
|
$2,000,000 |
|
DJ Insurance in Minutes |
$22.26 per month + $500 deductible |
|
|
|
$2,000,000 |
|
Thimble |
$24.83 per month |
|
|
|
$2,000,000 |
|
NEXT |
$19.17 per month |
|
|
|
$2,000,000 |
|
One Day Event |
$350 per event |
|
|
|
$2,000,000 |
Insurance Canopy
| Starting Monthly Cost for General Liability* | Same Day COI / Buy 100% Online | General Liability (Base Policy) | Unlimited Additional Insureds Included?** | Base Coverage Limit Compared |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$18.50 per month |
|
|
|
$2,000,000 |
DJ Insurance in Minutes
| Starting Monthly Cost for General Liability* | Same Day COI / Buy 100% Online | General Liability (Base Policy) | Unlimited Additional Insureds Included?** | Base Coverage Limit Compared |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$22.26 per month + $500 deductible |
|
|
|
$2,000,000 |
Thimble
| Starting Monthly Cost for General Liability* | Same Day COI / Buy 100% Online | General Liability (Base Policy) | Unlimited Additional Insureds Included?** | Base Coverage Limit Compared |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$24.83 per month |
|
|
|
$2,000,000 |
NEXT
| Starting Monthly Cost for General Liability* | Same Day COI / Buy 100% Online | General Liability (Base Policy) | Unlimited Additional Insureds Included?** | Base Coverage Limit Compared |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$19.17 per month |
|
|
|
$2,000,000 |
One Day Event
| Starting Monthly Cost for General Liability* | Same Day COI / Buy 100% Online | General Liability (Base Policy) | Unlimited Additional Insureds Included?** | Base Coverage Limit Compared |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$350 per event |
|
|
|
$2,000,000 |
*Starting monthly cost was obtained by completing applications for those providers who offer an online quote process, and whenever possible, for a policy with the same limits as our base policy (e.g., $1M per claim / $2M per policy term). With some providers, your actual starting cost could change based on your location, annual revenue, etc. To provide an honest comparison, our buyer is a solopreneur (no employees) based in Hartford, CT, earning $50,000 per year.
**The carrier offers additional insureds, but unlimited additional insureds may not be available.
A Closer Look at Our DJ Insurance Comparison
Let’s take a look at how Insurance Canopy compares to other DJ insurance companies.
Insurance Canopy: Best Overall DJ Insurance
Cost:
- $18.50/month or $199/year (save by paying upfront)
- $59/event
Key Coverages Included With an Annual Plan
- General liability insurance
- Products – completed operations
- Personal and advertising injury
- Damage to premises rented to you
- Medical expenses limit
- Free unlimited additional insureds
Add-ons
- DJ equipment insurance (Inland Marine)
- Cyber Liability (covers costs of data breaches / hackers, etc.)
- Workers compensation
Standout Features
- Policy tailored to the unique needs and risks of DJs
- Fast, same-day Certificate of Insurance (COI)
- Easy to customize as your business grows
- User-friendly online dashboard
- No cost to add additional insureds (common venue requirement)
- Licensed, non-commissioned agent support if you need it
- Most affordable DJ insurance for $2M in general liability coverage
- 100% online quick and easy application
- Free unlimited additional insureds
- Ability to add equipment and gear insurance, cyber liability, and other coverages to your plan
- You won’t pay more based on your state, unlike other providers
- No deductible (unlike DJ Insurance in Minutes)
- Customer service from licensed, non-commissioned agents available in English and Spanish
- A+-rated carrier
- Easy to file a claim online
- Online dashboard for 24/7 access to manage your COI, additional insureds, etc.
- Doesn’t cover some genres or touring groups
- Event policies don’t come with the same add-on options
Based on our research, Insurance Canopy is the best DJ insurance for most, starting at $18.50 a month for an annual policy that includes $2 million in general liability coverage. For DJs working less than three gigs a year, Insurance Canopy’s event policy costs just $59 for any one to three-day event.
With an instant COI and the ability to add additional insureds for free through our easy online application or customer dashboard, DJs can get protection and keep dropping beats instead of money for expensive claims.
Some providers match Insurance Canopy’s 100% online quote and purchase experience, but don’t provide the same level of personalized service. You can speak to a licensed, non-commissioned agent in English or Spanish to make sure you have the right coverage, can meet contract requirements, get help filing a claim, and more.
Pro tip: Want to know how much it would be to protect your expensive DJ gear on top of the general liability coverage you need? Check out all your options and see how much DJ insurance costs based on the exact coverage you want.
DJ Insurance in Minutes: Quick Application Process
Cost: (compared for our buyer + $2M in general liability)
- Quoted $267.08 annually (~$22.26 per month)
- Unlike other providers, policies include a $500 (or higher) minimum deductible
Key Coverages Included
- General liability insurance
Add-ons
- Gear and equipment
- Non-owned and hired auto
- Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D)
- Accident medical expense (AME)
- Crime insurance
Standout Features
- Unique add-ons
- Quick application process
- Offers coverages for non-owned and hired auto, crime, and gear and equipment
- Instant COI on purchase
- Unlimited additional insureds
- Online claim filing
- Phone support (limited hours)
- Minimum $500 deductible for any DJ insurance policy
- Costs more for $2 million in general liability vs Insurance Canopy
- You might get a message to call the office while filling out the application to verify information
- Unlike Insurance Canopy, doesn’t offer an Event policy (must purchase an annual plan)
DJ Insurance in Minutes offers a fast way to apply and buy general liability, gear and equipment, and accident-related insurance. Customer service is available five (5) days a week with 24/7 claim-filing services.
DJs also get instant COIs, unlimited additional insureds, and the option to add employee crime, auto, accidental death and dismemberment, and accident medical expense (AME) coverage to their policies.
Thimble: Coverage by the Hour
Cost: (compared for our buyer + $2M in general liability)
- $24.83 per month
Key Coverages Included
- General liability insurance
Add-ons
- Gear and equipment coverage
- Professional liability
- Customer property protection
- Business equipment protection
- Cyber liability
- Business owners package (BOP)
Standout Features
- Versatile short-term policy options
- Add-ons to bulk up coverage (though the same add-ons may be cheaper with other providers)
- Free mobile app
- Most options for short-term policies (hour, day, week, month, year, etc.)
- Quick online application process
- Mobile app for easy access to your COI on the go
- Costs more for $2 million in general liability vs Insurance Canopy
- Your price can increase based on your state, unlike Insurance Canopy
- Insurance Canopy’s DJ equipment insurance is cheaper ($7.50/mo for $2000 in coverage vs $15/mo for $2500 with Thimble)
- Limited support; online customer support only
Thimble offers flexible, short-term coverage for seasonal or gig-based work with options by the hour, week, month, etc. You can even choose the exact hour when your coverage starts and ends.
NEXT: Broad Range of Add-Ons
Cost: (compared for our buyer + $2M in general liability)
- $19.17 per month
Key Coverages Included in Annual Policy
- General liability
- Damage to rented premises
- Medical expense limit
- Errors and omissions
Add-ons
- Employment-related practices liability (EPLI) coverage
- Commercial auto
- Commercial property
- Workers compensation
- Tools and equipment coverage (we were unable to verify availability or cost as it was not offered as an add-on during the application process)
- Professional liability
- Cyber coverage ($25,000)
Standout Features
- Offers a range of insurance coverages, such as towing and labor, and rental reimbursement for commercial auto coverage
- Wide range of add-ons (commercial auto, workers comp, commercial property, etc.)
- Instant Certificate of Insurance (COI)
- Online application process
- Errors and omissions included in base
- Costs more for $2 million in general liability vs Insurance Canopy
- Your price can increase based on your state, unlike Insurance Canopy
- Annual purchase required (no event policy option), unlike Insurance Canopy
- Only offers DJ-specific coverage, not musicians and bands
- Online/AI customer service only; must go through the AI chatbot to be connected with live service reps
- Less cyber coverage ($25,000) vs. Insurance Canopy ($100,000)
- Weren’t able to customize our quote with equipment coverage
- Longest online application process of the providers compared
NEXT insurance provides flexible coverage options, including general liability, commercial auto, professional liability, and workers’ compensation. Commercial auto also offers numerous add-ons, such as rental reimbursement, towing, and labor.
You also get an instant COI, which is a plus if you need to show proof of insurance at the last minute. While the AI-driven customer service is fast, you’ll need to chat with the bot first before interacting with a human representative.
One Day Event: Offers Basic DJ General Liability Insurance
Cost: quote for a wedding event with 200 attendees with one additional insured included for a $1M per claim, $2M per policy limit:
- $350 (single event coverage)
Key Coverages Included in Event Policy
- General liability insurance (property damage limit of $300,000)
- Medical expense limit
Standout Features
- Weekend customer service hours
- Customers can donate a portion of their premiums to a global organization
- Affordable rates
- Online application (but no instant quote)
- Customer service is available seven days a week
- Doesn’t offer instant quotes
- Event policies only (no annual plans) – super-expensive if you work more than a few gigs annually)
- Insurance Canopy’s event policy is cheaper at $59/event, vs $257 with One Day Event for an event policy for a wedding with 200 attendees
- General liability coverage only
- Property damage coverage limited to $300,000 in $1M per claim, $2M per policy, unlike other providers
One Day Event offers per-event policies only (no long-term options). That means, it’s a lot more expensive than Insurance Canopy for the same event coverage, and your cost can increase if alcohol is served at the event, or if you need to add an additional insured or meet other contract requirements.
What to Look for When Comparing DJ Insurance Policies
The best DJ insurance will be affordable, easy to purchase, and easy to manage for busy DJ performers on the go. But insurance can be confusing, and it’s important to compare the value offered by each provider on an apples-to-apples basis.
For example, some providers’ base coverage limits are lower or higher than others. Plus, your “real” cost can go up with some providers based on your location, how much you earn, and other important factors.
Finally, understanding what’s included vs what would be an add-on is essential, as is finding a provider that makes it easy to bundle all the coverage you need in one policy.
Here’s what to compare to decide which is the best DJ insurance for you:
- The amount of coverage included (your “aggregate” limits for total policy payouts and “occurrence” limits for the maximum amount per claim)
- The cost per month or year (factoring in discounts and variables based on income and location)
- Add-ons you need (do you want to protect your gear? Do you have employees you need to cover? Do you need commercial auto insurance?)
- Scalable options (can the insurance company grow with your business?)
FAQs About How to Get the Best DJ Insurance
How Can I Determine the Right Amount of DJ Coverage I Need for My Business?
Determine the right amount of DJ coverage for your business, considering how many gigs you have in a year and whether you need protection for your gear and equipment.
For example, Insurance Canopy offers year-round coverage with the option to add equipment insurance, or to get event coverage for 1–3 day gigs.
Note: Gear and equipment coverage is only available as an add-on under Insurance Canopy’s annual DJ policy.
Are There Any Exclusions in DJ Insurance Policies I Should Be Aware Of?
Some exclusions may include:
- Crowd sizes
- How long gigs last
- Music genres
Talk with your insurance provider about your policy conditions and exclusions because they vary.
Can I Get DJ Insurance if I Work Part-Time or Have a Side Hustle?
Absolutely! DJ insurance works if you work full or part-time because risks like trip-and-fall accidents, venue damages, and defamation lawsuits can happen anywhere.
How Can I File a Claim if Something Goes Wrong During an Event?
Insurance Canopy makes it super easy to file a claim if risks crash your gig:
- Log in to your customer dashboard
- Find “Manage Polices”
- Click “File A Claim”
- Give the required information
- Submit your claim
Do I Insure My DJ Equipment Separately, or Is It Included in General Liability Coverage?
Typically, DJ equipment insurance is sold separately, but it’s important to check with the insurance provider. Insurance Canopy offers DJ gear and equipment coverage as an add-on to an annual general liability policy with these price plans:
- $2,000 limit per year ($7.50 / month)
- $5,000 limit per year ($15 / month)