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How Do I Choose the Best Insurance for Musicians?

Autumn Rivers
Autumn Rivers

Professional musicians often need more than basic health and car insurance, because they need to protect their instruments and anyone traveling with them to shows or working on the show. The first step to finding good insurance for musicians is considering the types that are necessary, such as coverage for instruments and equipment, studio liability and coverage for those who may be injured while attending or working a show. Once you have an idea of the types available, you should consider the limits of the coverage to ensure that you get your money's worth. The last step before buying insurance for musicians is to contact insurance companies to get price quotes, either online or by phone.

You are advised to obtain both car and health insurance, in case of a car accident or injury, but this is only the start of the insurance you will need as a musician. If you or any band members own or rent equipment, including instruments and sound gear, you should consider a policy that will pay for the equipment if it is stolen, lost or broken. Another type of insurance for musicians is studio liability coverage, which can protect you from a lawsuit if someone is injured or equipment is broken while in a studio that you either own or rent. If you travel often for concerts or recordings, you probably have a staff of people who go with you, as well as people who attend the shows. If anyone trips over a cord or equipment falls on them, you could be liable to pay for the injuries, unless you have an employee or public liability insurance policy that pays instead.

Man playing a guitar
Man playing a guitar

Before choosing insurance for musicians, you should consider the amount of coverage you need, as well as the cost of the premium and the deductible. You are advised to ensure that the policy limits are high enough to cover the cost of any of your equipment should it need to be repaired or replaced. In addition, it is recommended that you read the policy's regulations, because some plans have exclusions that may keep you from making a successful claim. For example, some policies do not insure you in certain countries, and most do not cover regular wear and tear on equipment.

It is often best to peruse the coverage offered by a few companies before you buy insurance for musicians. Once you find a few policies that sound useful to you, request price quotes. You can obtain a quote online after you fill out basic information, such as your location and the total cost to replace your equipment. You can also call the companies you are considering and talk to a representative to get a quote over the phone. Once you compare the prices and regulations of each policy, you should be able to determine the best insurance plan for you.

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    • Man playing a guitar
      Man playing a guitar