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There are several types of insurance that a singer needs to consider purchasing if they wish to perform in public or pursue a professional career.
Health insurance is essential for singers who earn their living from their instrument. Cover for touring abroad, loss of voice, accidental injury, engagement cancellations and loss of earnings will protect the singer if they are unable to perform due to illness or other unforseen events.
Vocalists who use their own P.A. equipment, backing tracks or other accompaniment should consider insuring against damage or loss with musical equipment insurance.
Public Liability insurance covers the entertainer in the case of a claim made against them i.e., Someone is injured by a falling speaker. Some trade organisations provide this free to their members who may also qualify for a discount off other types of insurance from a music insurance specialist.
Standard home insurance cover does not always include expensive equipment, especially if it is used outside the home, so talk your company before making any major purchases as extra or specialist cover may be required.
Vehicle insurance can also be more expensive for musicians and will not include the carriage of musical and p.a. equipment unless you specify this to your insurer. Most policies usually only provide cover in the case of an accident and may not re-imberse you for the full replacement cost of your damaged equipment. Ask your advisor, check the small print or purchase seperate equipment insurance to ensure you are covered for all eventualities.
There are several UK insurance companies who specialise in providing cover for musicians and entertainers. They can often provide you with a cheaper quote than you are likely to receive anywhere else, so do take the time to contact them before forking out a fortune.
Read Musicians Insurance at the Club site for more information on musical equipment insurance plus links to lost/stolen equipment registers.
 Music Insurance Companies
- ** Musicguard Insurance **
JLT Online House Mercia Business Village, Westwood Business Park Coventry CV4 8HX. Tel: 02476 851000. Musical insurance specialist providing instant online comprehensive quotes for bands, groups, musicians, karaoke, orchestral, touring, gigging abroad, public liability, musical instruments and equipment. Musicguard is superb insurance cover for musicians and their equipment. Bands, DJ's. orchestras, guitarists, drummers, brass bands, recording studios, sound engineers and more are all covered on this cost effective, specialist policy.
- Abbey Associates
Independent (Band Scheme), Abbey House, 3 Hyde Gardens, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 4PN - Tel: 01323 727551, Fax: 01323 430291
- British Reserve Insurance
Cornhill House, 6 Vale Avenue, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1EH - Tel: 01892-515244, Fax: 01892-511080
- Egger Lawson
Competitive Band Cover, Musical Equipment Insurance, 72 Maid Marion Way, Nottingham, NG1 6BJ, Tel: 0115-941-5255, Fax: 0115-941-5215 Email: BGriffiths@eggerlawson.co.uk
- First Act Insurance
Simpson House, 2-6 Cherry Orchard Road, Croydon, CR9 5BB. Tel: 020 8686 5050 FAX: 020 8686 5559 Independent insurance advisors for theatre, tv and film industry. Suppliers of the Equity Pension Scheme.
- Incorporated Society of Musicians (UK)
Members receive free public liability insurance up to £10m and free legal expenses insurance.
- La Playa
Trinity House, Cambridge Business Park, Cowley Road, Cambridge, CB4 0WZ Tel: 01223 522411 Fax: 01223 425360 specialist insurer for the media, arts & entertainments industry.
- Lark Insurance
Offices in Barking, Colchester, London, Maidstone and Sandhurst. Tel: (+44) 020 8557 2410 Email: mailbox@larkinsurance.co.uk
Provides musical instrument insurance policy for electric and classical instruments and equipment.
- Musicians Insurance Services
can put you in touch with one of several companies, they have several offices based around the UK and should be listed in the local yellow pages under insurance services/brokers.
- Musicians Insurance UK
312 High Street, Harlington, Hayes, Middlesex, UB3 5BT. Tel: 020 8564 8181 Fax: 020 8564 9063 provides comprehensive insurance for musical instruments instantly online.
- Musicians Union (UK)
Members receive free public liability insurance up to £10 million.
- Noda Insurance provides a specially designed policy to provide for the insurance needs of amateur singing and acting societies affiliated to NODA. The package includes public liability, employers liability, property (scenery/wardrobe etc.,) and loss of money.
- Victor C. Knight Ltd 292-308 Southbury Road, Enfield, Middx, EN1 1TS. Tel: 020 8351 2400 Fax: 020 8351 2411 specialist insurance for musicians.
Outside UK
Music insurance companies that are based in other countries will be added here as and when we find them for your convenience.
MusicPro Insurance USA
provides instrument & equipment, studio liability, tour liability, composers liability, travel accident and health insurance for US citizens.
Automotive Rescue & Recovery
Breakdown & Recovery services are essential for any gigging musician who uses their vehicle to transport themselves and their equipment to and from engagements. Breaking down or being the victim of an accident could mean loss of transport and subsequent cancellation of your gig/s. Unless you have some knowledge of car mechanics, it is common sense to take precautions and use a company like the RAC who not only provide roadside repairs where possible, but will also tow you to your destination or (depending on the policy) provide you with another vehicle. Standard Cover gives you assistance at the Roadside or outside your Home, plus Recovery to your destination, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, anywhere in the UK.
Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (Warranty)
Mechanical Breakdown Insurance is available over a 12 or 24 month period, regardless of when or where you purchased your vehicle. Cover starts 28 days after the policy is purchased. RAC Warranty can provide cover ranging from our competitive Three Star policy through to our more comprehensive Five Star, Electrical and Mechanical policy. Levels of cover will be dependant on the age and mileage of your car.
MOT Test Failure Insurance
MOT Insurance has been designed to protect you against the failure of your vehicle when it undergoes an MOT Test, covering items on a VT30 (MOT fail sheet) up to a maximum of £650 including VAT.
Tyre Insurance
Tyre Insurance will cover you in the event of sustaining punctures, accidental or malicious damage to any of the tyres fitted to your vehicle up to a maximum of £250 per tyre and £1,250 in aggregate per annum.
Key Insurance and Recovery
The Boomerang-Tag has been specifically designed to look after you in the event that your keys (motor, home or office) are lost, broken or stolen, up to a maximum claims limit of £500 per annum.
The information above quotes RAC but there are several good companies around including AA and Green Flag. We have used all three at various times and received good service from each. Green Flag is probably the cheapest out of the 3 quoted and although lesser known than the other two, still provide a great, friendly service.
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