Liability Insurance for small concerts

Subject: Liability Insurance for small concerts (USA)
From: Maryrrf
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 12:38 PM

I run a small concert series in Richmond, Virginia. We hold the concerts in a synagogue, in exchange for a small fee. I've been asked to provide a Certificate of Insurance for the concerts - just on the off chance that someone should slip and fall, or tip over a coffee urn, etc. I've contacted a few companies but no response - they all seem to want to insure large events. We only have 40 to 100 people usually. Anybody have a recommendation?

Subject: RE: Liability Insurance for small concerts
From: Rabbi-Sol
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 01:30 PM

Go to the carrier that the Synagogue is presently using for their regular liability insurance and ask if they could provide an addendum to the policy, the cost of which you would be willing to pay. It will come out a lot cheaper than taking out a separate insurance policy with another carrier.    SOL

Subject: RE: Liability Insurance for small concerts
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 03:20 PM

I have heard that the musician's union can provide that. I may be wrong on that information, but if you're a member of local 1000 or have some members that are, you could enquire. We ran into that when we were organizing a non-alcoholic St. Patrick's concert in a couple venues. We piggy backed on with a local non-profit folklore society and had them as a "co-sponsor", even though we did the leg work and were able to use their policy.

Subject: RE: Liability Insurance for small concerts
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 03:31 PM

Mary, based on your note, if the synagogue is asking for a certificate, then they do not want to include you on their existing policy. That is common at most venues.

Liability insurance is not that expensive if you shop around, and the prices can vary widely. Many carriers offer single event coverage, but it sounds like you are looking for something that will cover a whole series.

I can give you a few recommendations, but I would prefer not to do it publicly. If you could contact me privately I can give you a few recommendations.

Subject: RE: Liability Insurance for small concerts
From: Peace
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 03:51 PM

Found the following on the www.

http://www.eventplannersassociation.com/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=6&MMN_position=6:6

Subject: RE: Liability Insurance for small concerts
From: Maryrrf
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 04:51 PM

Thanks to all who have responded. I will at least ask the synagogue about the rider option. Recommendations are appreciated as I don't want to just blindly go with a company on-line that I know nothing about.

Subject: RE: Liability Insurance for small concerts
From: Peace
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 05:12 PM

I agree. That would be very foolish. However, it seemed a place to start. Best wishes to you.

Subject: RE: Liability Insurance for small concerts
From: Bobert
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 06:03 PM

Actually all 501(c) have to carry liability insurance which covers events held in their facilities... A concert is not that much different than a wedding and folks aren't required to purchase insurance if they are married in a house of worship...

I believe that the event is covered under the synagogue's policy...

I used to play a little at the Crossroads Coffee House on Monument Ave in Richmond and, to the best of my knowledge, insurance was never an issue...

Bobert

Subject: RE: Liability Insurance for small concerts
From: Rabbi-Sol
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 06:30 PM

10 years ago when we had the old Borderline at the Green Meadow Waldorf School the school asked us for an insurance certificate naming them as additional insured.

The new Borderline operates as a house concert series because people's homeowners insurance covers private house parties which is what a house concert basically is. We eliminate all problems.

                                             SOL

Subject: RE: Liability Insurance for small concerts
From: Art Thieme
Date: 01 Nov 07 - 12:32 AM

This brave new millenium sure is nuts! In my paradigm nobody needed or even thought about insurance. We just did gigs, and went on to the next one. If someone stubbed their toe, they lived with the pain until it subsided. At most they put a band aid on it. Nobody sued anybody. Shit happens. On several levels, so many piddling things seem to escalate our costs, monetary and aesthetically, at every turn. It all, dynamically, seems to precipitate out an increasingly less humane life we all must endure now. This is just one small aspect. The tangled mess in Iraq would be a larger example.

I'm rambling now, and ought to get to bed. I'm sure that, being tired, I ought not post this overreaction tonight. But I post lots of stuff I shouldn't. So be it...

Art

Subject: RE: Liability Insurance for small concerts
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 01 Nov 07 - 03:23 AM

I'm with you Art.

But are you sure you didn't think you were posting this in The Old Fart Thread?


;-P

Subject: RE: Liability Insurance for small concerts
From: Janice in NJ
Date: 01 Nov 07 - 04:02 AM

Although Art is right that shit happens, sometimes it's serious shit and very often someone is responsible through an act of commission or omission. Insurance exists to minimize the financial risk to any one person or institution by spreading it out among all the policy holders. I once went to a concert at a church where a speaker toppled over and hurt someone seriously enough to require medical attention. Who was responsible, the church or the concert sponsor? I don't know, but I can see why the church would want the concert sponsor to carry liability insurance which covers them as well.

Subject: RE: Liability Insurance for small concerts
From: Maryrrf
Date: 01 Nov 07 - 09:34 AM

Yes things have changed and nowadays with the litigious (sp?) nature of society it's necessary to be insured. Whether or not we would be covered under the Synagogues policy without a rider is murky - and there is always the unlikely possibility that somebody might tip a cofee urn over, etc. So it is what it is - I just wish some of these places would get back to me with quotes!

Subject: RE: Liability Insurance for small concerts
From: M.Ted
Date: 01 Nov 07 - 11:52 PM

I agree with Bobert--the synagogue should be insured for this sort of thing--not should be, *is* insured for this sort of thing. I checked out a couple websites that show the basic coverage that churches and synagogues are required to have, and this is it.   I also checked out what event coverage costs, and it's not cheap.

I would go back and ask the person or persons who requested this to explain why, after you've been running this series for however long, they suddenly decided that you needed insurance.
I don't see any reason you should have it, and, knowing the kind of budget you're working with, I don't see any way you could afford to do it--

Subject: RE: Liability Insurance for small concerts
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 02 Nov 07 - 12:08 AM

Find a good Ninth-Grade-Public-School-Student

Let them edit your proposal.....before sending it in writing.

Ignorance in one area....tends to imply ignorance in other areas....and the insurance-writers, dispite the synogoge positive influence, may read through the surface of your missive.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Subject: RE: Liability Insurance for small concerts
From: Jim Lad
Date: 20 Nov 07 - 02:21 AM

"We hold the concerts in a synagogue, in exchange for a small fee."
They are taking your money. No lawyer here but it would seem to me that the insurance is entirely their responsibility. Not wanting to be liable does not free you from liability.

Subject: RE: Liability Insurance for small concerts
From: johnadams
Date: 20 Nov 07 - 06:23 AM

If you lived in uk, then membership of the EFDSS would automatically give you coverage at the level you seem to be wanting and also you could buy enhancement for bigger concerts.

Does the CDSS offer anything similar?

J

Subject: RE: Liability Insurance for small concerts
From: GUEST,Obie
Date: 20 Nov 07 - 06:26 AM

Post a sign "No Lawyers Allowed!"
Some may print an admission ticket with a liability disclaimer.

Subject: RE: Liability Insurance for small concerts
From: GUEST,petr
Date: 20 Nov 07 - 07:31 PM

you can have a liability disclaimer on the ticket or on a sign on the wall but its not worth the paper its written on.

Our Irish Ceili society ran into this issue last year when the hall where we regularly play asked us to sign a liability waiver, each time we book.

We do have a liquor license and serve beer and coolers etc at events
so this complicates things. Basically if someone has an accident on the way home, and gets injured or injures someone - you can bet the Hall, the society, possibly the bartender will be sued.

My brother is involved in a printing craftsman society - they buy event insurance for the year - I think its about $75 Canadian per event, mentioned a case where another society had golf & dinner event, someone drank too much, crashed on the way home,and sued the society and its directors and they had to pay $30,000 each (they didnt have event insurance)

Subject: RE: Liability Insurance for small concerts
From: Maryrrf
Date: 20 Nov 07 - 09:27 PM

Thanks for the advice. I have found a company that offers coverage for a reasonable fee.

Subject: RE: Liability Insurance for small concerts
From: Greg B
Date: 20 Nov 07 - 09:41 PM

Maybe the venue is worried that one of its congregation will
take the case if somebody slips on a puddle of coffee at the
break.