Public Liability Insurance as music consultant for a venue

arte

Hello everyone,

I've recently taken on the role of a music consultant and director for a venue, operating as a subcontractor responsible for managing their music programming and overall musical image. As part of my responsibilities, I need to organize the schedule for the venue's DJs, and their contract agreement stipulates the necessity of having Public Liability Insurance coverage.

Being new to this type of insurance, I've conducted online research but have struggled to find options that are specifically tailored to my role. Most search results seem to focus on different types of consultancies or are related to professions like musicians or music teachers.

I'm curious if the specificity of the insurance coverage matters in relation to the nature of my work. Does it make a significant difference if the insurance isn't explicitly linked to my particular job description?

Additionally, I'm looking for suggestions on affordable insurance options that would adequately meet my needs without being excessively costly. Any recommendations or insights would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

MorningcoffeeIV

You'd be better off posting in the insurance section, than the reclaiming one.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/insurance-life-assurance

DullGreyGuy

So are you an employee of the venue or a contractor? If a contractor are you operating as sole trader or via your own company?

Is that you manage who hires the venue or is it you are the one hiring artists/performers? If someone wants to use the venue do they contract with you or the venue? What does that contract state about having PL cover? If you are hiring artists then again who do they contract with and what does that contract state about PL cover?

It's not abundantly clear what risks you are taking on and the realistic prospects of someone making a claim. It's also not clear if you want a bare bones policy to tick a contractual box that you have insurance or feel there is a real prospect of a material claim that you need protection from. 

For me, as a business consultant for a company providing non-physical goods the biggest PL risk I have is someone trips over my laptop bag because I put it somewhere silly. As such the risk is tiny, fairly easily mitigated, however my main risk is giving bad advice to my client and hence I also have Professional Indemnity insurance which drives 90% of the price and PL is just a few quid tack on along with EL. 

arte

DullGreyGuy said:

So are you an employee of the venue or a contractor? If a contractor are you operating as sole trader or via your own company?

Is that you manage who hires the venue or is it you are the one hiring artists/performers? If someone wants to use the venue do they contract with you or the venue? What does that contract state about having PL cover? If you are hiring artists then again who do they contract with and what does that contract state about PL cover?

It's not abundantly clear what risks you are taking on and the realistic prospects of someone making a claim. It's also not clear if you want a bare bones policy to tick a contractual box that you have insurance or feel there is a real prospect of a material claim that you need protection from. 

For me, as a business consultant for a company providing non-physical goods the biggest PL risk I have is someone trips over my laptop bag because I put it somewhere silly. As such the risk is tiny, fairly easily mitigated, however my main risk is giving bad advice to my client and hence I also have Professional Indemnity insurance which drives 90% of the price and PL is just a few quid tack on along with EL. 

Thanks!

I will be operating as a contractor, functioning as a sole trader. Having been a DJ myself at the venue for many years, I plan to incorporate this music consultancy service into my existing invoicing structure without establishing for now a limited company or any other formal entity.

In my new role, my primary responsibilities will involve managing the DJs who perform at the venue and working generally to maintain the musical identity of the establishment. I asked them about the insurance requirement, and they explained that, since the DJs will be selected by me, the insurance coverage is in place to address any unforeseen incidents involving them. While I believe the risk is relatively low, they insist on the necessity of Public Liability coverage as a precautionary measure and I think that's fair.

I'm confused on how to find an insurance category that aligns more closely with the specifics of my role. Any guidance on identifying a suitable category would be greatly appreciated.

arte

MorningcoffeeIV said:

You'd be better off posting in the insurance section, than the reclaiming one.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/insurance-life-assurance

Thanks!

I got confused by the "other insurance" part. Do you know if I can transfer this thread in the other section? Or should I just started a new one there? 

DullGreyGuy

arte said:

DullGreyGuy said:

So are you an employee of the venue or a contractor? If a contractor are you operating as sole trader or via your own company?

Is that you manage who hires the venue or is it you are the one hiring artists/performers? If someone wants to use the venue do they contract with you or the venue? What does that contract state about having PL cover? If you are hiring artists then again who do they contract with and what does that contract state about PL cover?

It's not abundantly clear what risks you are taking on and the realistic prospects of someone making a claim. It's also not clear if you want a bare bones policy to tick a contractual box that you have insurance or feel there is a real prospect of a material claim that you need protection from. 

For me, as a business consultant for a company providing non-physical goods the biggest PL risk I have is someone trips over my laptop bag because I put it somewhere silly. As such the risk is tiny, fairly easily mitigated, however my main risk is giving bad advice to my client and hence I also have Professional Indemnity insurance which drives 90% of the price and PL is just a few quid tack on along with EL. 

Thanks!

I will be operating as a contractor, functioning as a sole trader. Having been a DJ myself at the venue for many years, I plan to incorporate this music consultancy service into my existing invoicing structure without establishing for now a limited company or any other formal entity.

In my new role, my primary responsibilities will involve managing the DJs who perform at the venue and working generally to maintain the musical identity of the establishment. I asked them about the insurance requirement, and they explained that, since the DJs will be selected by me, the insurance coverage is in place to address any unforeseen incidents involving them. While I believe the risk is relatively low, they insist on the necessity of Public Liability coverage as a precautionary measure and I think that's fair.

I'm confused on how to find an insurance category that aligns more closely with the specifics of my role. Any guidance on identifying a suitable category would be greatly appreciated.

So the DJs contract with the venue or you?
Presumably the venue has PL cover already for the events?

Its not abundantly clear what liability you may have other than like me, possibly leaving a trip hazard somewhere unless you are responsible for the overall PL for the whole event in which case list yourself as an events manager 

arte

DullGreyGuy said:

So the DJs contract with the venue or you?
Presumably the venue has PL cover already for the events?

Its not abundantly clear what liability you may have other than like me, possibly leaving a trip hazard somewhere unless you are responsible for the overall PL for the whole event in which case list yourself as an events manager 

I believe you are right, the events manager category does seem to closely align with my role

As for the PL coverage, the venue has its own policy in place. The DJs directly contract with the venue, and my involvement is primarily in the selection of them and organization of the schedule

DullGreyGuy

arte said:

DullGreyGuy said:

So the DJs contract with the venue or you?
Presumably the venue has PL cover already for the events?

Its not abundantly clear what liability you may have other than like me, possibly leaving a trip hazard somewhere unless you are responsible for the overall PL for the whole event in which case list yourself as an events manager 

I believe you are right, the events manager category does seem to closely align with my role

As for the PL coverage, the venue has its own policy in place. The DJs directly contract with the venue, and my involvement is primarily in the selection of them and organization of the schedule

The only problem if you pick events management is that they assume you are assuming liability for the crowd and so premiums will be dependent on the venue's capacity and would be higher than necessary if you aren't assuming that liability. 

Personally, I'd approach a local broker or google a broker in the music industry. You need someone who's going to take the time to understand your role and your liabilities to quote for what you are really doing but that human touch is going to add cost (if you buy, no fees for getting quotes). So also get online quotes as event management and see which is better value.