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.
Raise your hand if you react this way when wedding venues ask for DJ insurance:
- “It’s just me — not a big company.”
- “I’m careful.”
- “This insurance stuff feels like overkill.”
- “I’ve never had a problem before.”
- “Wait, I need insurance for DJing? Is that even a thing?”
DJ insurance is totally a thing, and we’ll walk you through why you need it, how to get proof of insurance, and how it builds trust with wedding venues and your customers.
What Is Wedding DJ Liability Insurance, Anyway?
Wedding DJ liability insurance financially protects you from unexpected accidents, like if a guest trips over one of your cables or your gear scuffs a venue’s floor. If your business gets hit with a claim, your coverage can cover some or all of the bill.
It also covers you for other business-related risks, like false advertising claims or copyright infringement. A lawsuit can cost thousands in legal fees, court costs, and judgments, but insurance can absorb your out-of-pocket responsibility.
You can also customize your coverage with add-ons for even more protection. Equipment insurance covers your gear if it’s stolen or damaged. If you use computers, tablets, or cloud services, you can get cyber liability coverage to cover expenses related to cybercrime.
Did you know risks can happen to wedding bands and musicians, too? We also have wedding band and musician insurance, so you can keep rocking out worry-free.
What Does Proof of Insurance Mean for DJs and Venues?
It may feel like wedding venues are singling you out with their insurance requests. The truth is: most venues and events require a certificate of insurance (COI) before hiring DJs or other performers. It shows them you’re a professional who cares if something goes wrong during one of your gigs (unlike your uninsured competitors).
Venues and events may also ask that you add them to your policy. You can include them as an additional insured so that your protection extends to them during your gigs.
For example, if your stereo falls off a stage and crushes a guest’s foot, they can sue you and the venue. If the venue is listed as an additional insured on your policy, your insurance can cover the resulting legal and medical bills for you and the venue.
Real Risks DJs and Venues Face at Events
You may think DJ insurance is overkill, but you’ll be glad you have it when the “beat” hits the fan.
Venues don’t want the hassle of dealing with expensive claims and lawsuits like these, either:
- Trip-and-fall accidents: A guest sprains their ankle after tripping and falling over one of your speakers near the dance floor = $8,000
- Property damage: Your fog machine sets off the indoor fire sprinklers, and the water ruins the drywall and decor = $11,000
- Medical injuries: Your DJ booth tips over and falls on a nearby guest = $12,000
- Equipment damage: During an outdoor ceremony, strong winds flip over a table with your gear, smashing your mixer and speakers = $4,500
Thanks to wedding DJ insurance, you can keep the party going without the stress of wondering how you’d pay for claims like these. This policy either reduces or fully covers these costs, so you can keep spinning tracks for the newlyweds.
Learn about more wedding DJ fails that insurance can cover.
What Happens if I Don’t Have Proof of Insurance?
Not having DJ insurance is like doing a gig blindfolded: you can do it, but we don’t recommend it because so many things can go wrong.
If you don’t have proof of insurance, you could face one of these situations:
- The venue owner or festival organizer cancels your gig
- The venue requires you to sign a waiver form that holds you responsible for damages and injuries
- You’re responsible for paying out-of-pocket on claims for third-party injuries, legal fees, and property damage
- You have to pay to repair or replace your gear on your own if someone damages or steals it
- You may have fewer job opportunities because you don’t have proof of insurance or the ability to add venues as an additional insured to your policy
The easiest way to avoid these pitfalls is to provide a COI when you book your gigs. Venues require insurance because it shows that you run a responsible business and value your partners and customers.
How Insurance Puts You and Venues in Good Standing
DJ insurance is a pro business move, not another hoop you need to jump through. This coverage protects you from mishaps, makes you stand out among your non-insured peers, and keeps you in good standing with venues and event organizers.
Insurance, in the long run, will earn you more gigs, more venue connections, and more couples referring you to their friends and families, which means you can earn more money.
- Pro Tip: Wedding DJs make about $1,700 per gig! You could pay an entire year’s worth of DJ insurance by working one gig and still bank a nice chunk of change for your day’s work.
- Source: The Knot
Get Proof of Your DJ Insurance, Fast
Download your proof of insurance faster than it takes to set up your DJ equipment with these four easy steps:
- Sign in to your user dashboard
- Find the “Download Documents” section
- Click on “Proof of Insurance”
- Download your COI
You’re all set and ready to bring the music (and the insurance) to your next wedding gig!
Note: You only get an instant COI if you add a venue or event planner as an additional insured to your policy.
FAQs About Wedding Venues and DJ Insurance
Can DJs Bundle Insurance With Other Coverage for Comprehensive Protection?
You can bundle the optional Gear and Equipment Insurance and Cyber Liability add-on coverages with your annual policy for more comprehensive protection either during the application process or at any time by logging in to your customer dashboard.
What Types of Insurance Do Wedding Venues Typically Expect From DJs?
Wedding venues typically expect you to have general liability insurance to defend against potential property damages or medical injuries that can occur during your gig.
Depending on the venue, they may require minimum coverage limits, so always read the contract closely before signing.
How Does Insurance Impact the Contract Between a DJ and a Wedding Venue?
DJ insurance establishes liability and risk allocation on your contracts with wedding venues. In other words, the venue isn’t responsible if property damage occurs or someone gets hurt during your gig.
Not sure where to find a DJ contract? Get our free DJ services contract checklist!
