Insurance can be confusing, but it doesn’t have to be! That’s where our recent online event, “Explain Musician Insurance to Me Like I’m 5,” comes in.
25-year insurance veteran and Program Manager JoAnne Hammer breaks down the essentials, delivering need-to-know info for DJs, wedding singers, and bands in this jargon-free, no-nonsense deep dive into musician insurance.
Musician Insurance, Explained Simply
JoAnne kicked things off by defining musician insurance in the simplest terms possible. At its core, it covers two major areas: liability and gear.
Liability coverage for musicians protects you if someone gets hurt at your gig or if you accidentally damage a venue. If a speaker falls or a cable causes someone to trip and you’re found responsible, this is the coverage that covers the cost.
Musician equipment coverage kicks in if your gear gets stolen, damaged in transit, or destroyed in a fire. It can cover everything from instruments to soundboards, laptops, and hard drives.
“Most people don’t wake up thinking about insurance, and that’s okay. Our job is to help make sure that when something goes wrong, you’re not left with the bill or a huge loss. Think of insurance as a way to hand off risk. You decide what risks you want to keep and what you want to pass to someone else, like your insurance carrier. That’s all it really is.”
From Canceled Gigs to Broken Gear: When Insurance Has Your Back
Many musicians assume that if they’re not headlining festivals or gigging full-time, they don’t need coverage. JoAnne explains why that’s just not true.
“We see claims come in from every kind of performance. Weddings, community festivals, one-off gigs at a bar. It doesn’t matter how small the show is. If you’re performing in public or transporting gear, you have risk.”
Venues and event planners also ask for proof of insurance before they’ll schedule you. If you don’t have a certificate of insurance (COI) ready to go, you could lose out on bookings, even if you are the perfect fit for the gig.
And then there are the unexpected moments. “A DJ had their gear stolen from a van the night before a show. That’s a huge financial hit without coverage,” JoAnne explains. “But with the right policy in place, you can recover, regroup, and keep going.”
What Musician Insurance Covers (and What It Doesn’t)
One of the most helpful parts of the talk is JoAnne’s walkthrough of what musician insurance really covers.
She explains that with Insurance Canopy, musicians can purchase coverage for a single gig or choose an annual policy that follows them throughout the year. The annual option lets you add coverage for your gear (an essential for working musicians who travel or play regularly).
But not everything is included, and that’s where a lot of musicians get tripped up. Things like normal wear and tear, gear that isn’t listed on your policy, or damage caused by using your personal vehicle for business might not be covered unless you’ve added specific protection.
And if you’re thinking your homeowner’s policy will pick up the slack, think again.
“Homeowners' insurance usually will not cover your gear when you take it outside the house for a business purpose. People assume they’re protected, but they are not.”
She points out that it’s not about scaring musicians, it’s about helping them be smart. If you know what’s covered (and what’s not), you can make informed decisions before something goes wrong.
Your Music, Your Rules, Your Insurance
JoAnne explains that not all musicians have the same needs. A solo guitarist playing backyard weddings is in a very different position than a touring band with a trailer full of gear. And a DJ using lighting effects or fog machines has risks that a violinist probably never has to think about.
That is why Insurance Canopy allows you to build the policy that makes sense for your setup. You can add commercial auto coverage if you drive a gear van, workers compensation if you pay bandmates, or even event cancellation insurance.
“Your career might change, your setup might grow, and your coverage should grow with you,” JoAnne said. “You can start simple and scale from there.”
Don’t Let These Mistakes Cost You
JoAnne covers some of the most frequent insurance mistakes musicians make. At the top of the list? Assuming someone else’s insurance will cover you.
“The venue’s policy does not protect you. Your client’s coverage will not include you. You are responsible for your own business.”
Another common misstep is waiting too long. “We get calls from people after something has gone wrong. And unfortunately, insurance cannot go backward. It only works if you have it in place before the incident.”
And finally, JoAnne urges musicians to ask questions. Many people do not know what risk class they fall into or what add-ons they might need. “That is what we are here for,” she says. “Don’t guess. Ask.”
Why Insurance Should Be Part of Your Gig Prep
It doesn’t matter if you play festivals every weekend or only book a handful of private gigs a year. If you earn money from music, even occasionally, then protecting your gear, work, and reputation is worth it.
JoAnne emphasizes that insurance is not just about ticking a box or satisfying a venue requirement. It’s about making sure that one accident, one piece of stolen gear, or one unexpected injury does not derail the momentum you’ve worked hard to build.
Whether you teach lessons in your home, perform at weddings, tour with a band, or mix tracks as a DJ, Insurance Canopy offers coverage designed with musicians in mind. You can choose coverage for a single event or get year-round protection. Either way, you get peace of mind that moves with you, from rehearsal to stage to studio.
If you missed the live conversation, you can catch the full replay here: Explain Musician Insurance Like I’m 5.
