Band Insurance

Subject: Band Insurance UK
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 14 Jun 16 - 09:04 AM

As a ceilidh band in the north of England, encouraging people to dance wildly we have been advised to get insurance for the band so that when somebody breaks a leg they will not be after my house.

Any ideas?

Subject: RE: Band Insurance
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 14 Jun 16 - 09:28 AM

My instruments and other gear are insured through Musicguard, which covers them anywhere in the UK, including in an unattended vehicle as long as they're locked in the boot, and which also gives me £2m PL cover and £10k PA cover.

It's not cheap, but if someone's old granny trips over my guitar case, breaks her hip, and subsequently dies from complications....... 😳

Subject: RE: Band Insurance
From: Jack Campin
Date: 14 Jun 16 - 09:28 AM

That sort of thing is the venue's responsibility, not yours.

If you have gobbing on the audience as part of the act I guess the venue ought to disclaim the biohazard before the punters buy tickets.

Subject: RE: Band Insurance
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 14 Jun 16 - 09:34 AM

Wrong, Jack. If someone is injured as a result of your equipment, you are legally responsible, jointly and severally. And that's why many venues no ask to see your PL certificate before they will book you.

Read this...

Subject: RE: Band Insurance
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 14 Jun 16 - 09:37 AM

Perhaps I didn't make this clear but we are looking for the kind of insurance that covers us for people getting injured whilst following the instructions of our caller - driven on by the excitement of the band.

Subject: RE: Band Insurance
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Jun 16 - 09:58 AM

Try efdssl affiliation which I believe can include band public liability insurance

Banjo flower Gerry

Subject: RE: Band Insurance
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 14 Jun 16 - 10:02 AM

bastard insurance industry...

..it's getting to the point now where all band members will have to wear hi viz jackets, safety boots, and hard hats on stage.....!!!!!?????😜

Subject: RE: Band Insurance
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 14 Jun 16 - 10:11 AM

Thanks PFR - I quite like that idea

Subject: RE: Band Insurance
From: Harmonium Hero
Date: 14 Jun 16 - 10:52 AM

It's getting close to the time when none of us will be allowed outside our houses without a yellow jacket, hard hat and clip-board. We're only born to pay out.
John Kelly.

Subject: RE: Band Insurance
From: Leadfingers
Date: 14 Jun 16 - 11:28 AM

Membership of Musicians Union gets you Public Liability insurance as well as Legal Assistance if required . In my opinion , well worth the annual fee , especially if you do any Pub Work - SOME landlords are Bastards

Subject: RE: Band Insurance
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 14 Jun 16 - 11:39 AM

"Perhaps I didn't make this clear but we are looking for the kind of insurance that covers us for people getting injured whilst following the instructions of our caller - driven on by the excitement of the band."

That was fully understood, Les, and that would be covered by PL insurance - hence my reference to it in my description of my MusicGuard policy.

Subject: RE: Band Insurance
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 14 Jun 16 - 11:52 AM

Thanks folks EFDSS offers a deal. We affiliate to EFDSS and insurance comes as part of the package for around £72. Further details when they post them.

Subject: RE: Band Insurance
From: Banjo-Flower
Date: 14 Jun 16 - 11:56 AM

Glad to be of help Les

Gerry

Subject: RE: Band Insurance
From: Jack Campin
Date: 14 Jun 16 - 12:32 PM

Backwoodsman's link was to an insurance broker - someone with something to sell.

Just because someone wants to sell you insurance doesn't mean you need it (as the PPI shambles demonstrated).

Subject: RE: Band Insurance
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 14 Jun 16 - 12:59 PM

Well, you don't need any insurance, do you?

Until you do.

Subject: RE: Band Insurance
From: Megan L
Date: 14 Jun 16 - 02:32 PM

Thanks PFR I now have visions of the HSE Morris side complete with hard hats hi vis vests steel toecap boots and instead of sticks they use rolled up risk assessments or at least they will till someone gets a papercut and since the bells were deemed not to be enough warning they are now fitted with a prerecorded tape saying Warning dangerous load reversing.

Subject: RE: Band Insurance
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 14 Jun 16 - 04:25 PM

errrmmm... wouldn't be too surprised if investors in the Hi Vis safety clothing manufacturing & retail industry
were already major shareholders in the insurance industry.....????? 🙄

Subject: RE: Band Insurance
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 15 Jun 16 - 02:37 AM

Insurance is mandatory here in Oz, too. Bands, solos, dance groups, every act booked at a festival needs it's own insurance. Insurance companies live well!

A friend wanted to do a one-off gig at a festival & was quoted $100 - fortunately he could use his folk club's insurance as the club was involved in the gig.

sandra

Subject: RE: Band Insurance
From: GUEST,FloraG
Date: 15 Jun 16 - 03:00 AM

Insurance gives you peace of mind.

Q. has anyone had to claim and had a good experience. That's the true test of a company

No details needed - just the company and the year.
FloraG.

Subject: RE: Band Insurance
From: Leadfingers
Date: 15 Jun 16 - 04:41 AM

Never used had to use the P L bit , but had Equity us paid three times in disputes over cancelled bookings . Having the membership card has also been useful for stopping Pub Managers trying to reduce the agreed fee at the end of a gig .

Subject: RE: Band Insurance
From: Howard Jones
Date: 15 Jun 16 - 05:33 AM

This isn't something that is specific to music If your actions cause injury to someone to whom you owe a 'duty of care', you could be liable if those actions were negligent. Google "law of tort". If you are encouraging people to dance wildly, or if one of your speakers falls over onto someone, or someone trips over your cables, you probably owe them a duty of care. If a morris stick breaks and hits someone in the audience, you probably owe them a duty of care.

This isn't 'health and safety gone mad'. If a morris stick were take your eye out, or if you were left unable to work because of a back injury caused by an over-exuberant basket during a Cumberland Square Eight, how would you feel?

Insurance is the solution, not the problem. It is not expensive for those who perform regularly, although it can be for a one-off gig

Events and venues must have their own insurance, and for their own protection will often check that anyone working there also has insurance. This doesn't just apply to bands and musicians but to others eg electricians, vendors etc.

Subject: RE: Band Insurance
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 15 Jun 16 - 06:35 AM

Thanks Howard very clear and straightforward - sums it up for us. Looks like affiliation to EFDSS which brings PL insurance for the band is a good deal - although still open to advice on EFDSS or alternatives.

Subject: RE: Band Insurance
From: Howard Jones
Date: 15 Jun 16 - 08:19 AM

Given that EFDSS offers PLI as a benefit of membership, I find it surprising that it does absolutely nothing to educate musicians, bands, folk and dance clubs, and others involved in organising and performing folk on their responsibilities and obligations - not just public liability but other aspects of health and safety, music licensing, copyright, tax and the other boring but necessary stuff you need to do to stay legal.