What is DJ insurance?
DJ Insurance is a layer of protection against business losses related to expensive equipment or stemming from interactions with hosts, party guests, and venues where you work.
Why do you need DJ Insurance?
Most DJs feel more at ease when they purchase insurance as it lessens the risk of liability within the various aspects of the job. Although it is possible to avoid risk without having DJ insurance, risk to you and your clients as well as the potential damage for equipment is common enough that it is generally considered a good idea to carry liability insurance. As with every insurance, the more you pay for, the more you are covered. The level of insurance protection you should hold depends on the risks you feel are the highest for your business.
For example, one DJ may do events with hundreds of people with decent equipment and decide to more heavily protect his personhood. You might do smaller events with top notch equipment and choose to insure your equipment more than your clients. It is also important to consider that venues often require insurance to utilize your services. If you are still debating what type of insurance is best for you, talk to your venues to determine what insurance they require you to hold.
What insurance do DJs need?
The most common types of DJ insurance are:
- General Liability: This covers you of any Third-party claims that you are liable for, such as bodily injury, property damage, or advertising injury.
- Inland marine insurance: You are covered when shipping or sending your equipment. It is also based on the monetary value of your equipment.
- Commercial auto insurance: Auto coverage for your personal business transportation (not third party shipping). It can cover damage to you, your passengers, and in some cases, your equipment.
- Workers compensation: Covers damage done to and by your employees up to as high as $1,000,000. It is also important to note that most states require you to have workers comp insurance if you have employees.
- Commercial property insurance. Protects your equipment when it is either lost, stolen, or damaged. Coverage is based on the monetary value.
What does DJ Insurance Cover and Exclude?
Both General Liability and Professional Liability coverage are part of the DJ Liability policy. There are slightly different types of coverage, including:
- Third-party, non-employee bodily injury: When a non employee guest is injured by your equipment, like tripping over wires.
- Third-party property damage: When you damage the client’s property- like scraping the venue wall with your equipment.
- Defense costs: When the client is holding you liable for injury to the event attendees or for property damage, but you know you are innocent. A General Liability policy helps cover the costs of defending yourself against this claim.
- Errors and omissions: If your client did not get the quality of the service he expected, they may hold you liable. For example, your client hires you to provide services for a fundraiser for cancerous children but you play music they deem inappropriate.
How much does DJ Insurance cost?
The cost of DJ insurance depends on the type and amount of coverage. To get a good sense here is an average monthly breakdown:
| Type of Coverage | Annual Premiums |
| General Liability | $180 to $450 |
| Commercial Property | $150 to $200 |
| Inland/Marine | $600 to $1,000 |
| Commercial Auto | $3,800 to $4,200 |
| Workers Comp | $225 to $560 |
Your premiums will also be different based on:
- Years of business
- Claims history
- Location
- Size of venue
- Cost equipment
- And more
How to choose the best DJ Insurance:
Here are some tips to assist you in choosing the best insurance for you. Take into consideration:
- Your personal financial situation: Taking out an insurance policy for more coverage that you can afford could potentially cause you to miss your premium payments, which will void your insurance policy.
- Reading customer reviews: Customer reviews are reliable and can help in determining how other consumers’ experience was with the insurance company.
- Shop around and compare providers: Because there are so many providers to choose from, we have researched for you and made it easier to compare companies to get the best plan for your personal situation.
The type of DJ insurance best for you is a personal decision based on the individual needs of your business. Every DJ is different. Take into consideration your budget, your highest risks of liability, the size and scope of your clientele, and the different types of insurance offered in your area of work. When all’s said and done, it is always better to have at least liability DJ insurance than work without any protection.