Frequently Asked Questions

• A music record label that is not responsible for the talent typically manages only the production side of operations, such as booking recording sessions, making CDs, and marketing/disbursement of the talent’s music through different mediums such as CDs, MPE wave files, iTunes, etc. Such operations are usually classified as office exposures. It is highly recommended that music labels acquire an E&O policy for “copyright infringement for sound recording and music videos.”

Note: Music videos are considered film insurance and need to be insured separately. Generally, a label will subcontract with a film production company. We can offer film production company film insurance on an annual or short-term production basis. Rating is based on the filming budget or the Gross Production Costs (GPC).

• Business managers who handle only accounting functions and are not responsible for insurance or risk management for talent are typically rated as office exposures.

• A booking agency that is not responsible for talent insurance, does not sign venue contracts, and solely books gigs or events is also typically rated as an office exposure.

• The term “talent managers” is a very ambiguous label used in the entertainment industry. For the entertainment “insurance” world, we try to define the risks as follows:

• PROP for Office Contents – Domestic (USA)
• CGL – Domestic (USA)
• CGL – Foreign
• Inland Marine for Owned/Rented Equipment (Not Typical, but Can Be Acquired If Needed); Territory: Worldwide
• Non-Owned/Hired Auto (NOHA) Liability and Physical Damage – Domestic (USA)
• NOHA Liability – Foreign – (NOHA physical damage would be required to be purchased in the specific foreign country.)
• WC – Domestic (USA)
• WC – Foreign
• UMB for Higher Liability Limits (Territory: Worldwide)
• E&O Insurance (Not typical but can be acquired if needed.) – (Territory: Worldwide)
• Event Cancellation Only Insurance
• Non-Appearance Only Insurance
• Event Cancellation and Non-Appearance Combined Insurance
• Weather Insurance (Rain, Snow, and Wind)

• Not responsible for insurance on the talent. This type of talent manager handles only the bookings and scheduling of performers. These operations are generally classified as office exposures.

• Responsible for insurance on the talent. This type of manager requires a Commercial General Liability (CGL) policy, which typically includes both office exposure and “traveling performers.”
• Covered talent may include bands and performers at special events, such as corporate events, weddings, and birthday parties. The performers can be magicians, impersonators, jugglers, stilt walkers, models, and other general performers.

Important Notes on High-Risk Acts:

• If a performer’s act includes any of the following, they will need to obtain separate insurance coverage, as these are generally excluded from policies we can provide:
  • Use of Animals
  • Fire Elements in the Performance
  • Hypnotism
• For these types of acts, we recommend the following specialized providers:
  • General Performer Insurance (Including Fire or High-Risk Acts):
    Specialty Insurance Agency – Performer Insurance
  • Animal Acts:
    Shahinian Insurance – Specialty Programs
  • Horse-Related Events:
    Equestrian Group – Special Event Coverage

• Band managers may or may not be responsible for securing insurance for the bands they manage. The classification and insurance requirements vary depending on their level of involvement:
  • Band Managers Not Responsible for Insurance
    • Typically rated as an office exposure.
    • However, because many band managers travel with the band—sometimes internationally—they may require worldwide Commercial General Liability (CGL) coverage.
    • In many cases, managers are also responsible for:
    • Visiting venues in advance to ensure proper lighting and sound setup.
    • Overseeing road crews to ensure proper installation of musical equipment.
    • Coordinating backstage and dressing room requirements for the band or artist.
  • Band Managers Responsible for Insurance
    • When a band manager is responsible for arranging the band’s insurance, the CGL policy is written separately in the band’s or artist’s name using the “traveling performer” class code.
    • If the band conducts international tours worldwide, CGL coverage is required.
  • Additional Insurance Considerations
    • Musical equipment coverage can be included in the band’s insurance policy.
    • Workers’ Compensation (WC) coverage is generally written for:
      • Band Members (with the Option to Exclude, If Applicable)
      • Regular Crew or Subcontracted Crew

• Responsible for the logistics of a tour to help organize the administration of appearances of a musical group (band) or artists at a sequence of venues. This may involve working with booking agencies and/or concert promoters. Generally, tour managers are freelancers working on a tour-by-tour basis. They may also need CGL worldwide insurance.

• Responsible for the “spectator liability” at the event. The concert promoters generally sign the venue contract and provide primary spectator liability insurance for the concert. CGL rating is usually based on “the number of events or total admissions for the year, “or we offer “one-off” special event policies for just a single event/concert.

• Only responsible for coordinating the event and hooking up subcontractors to do their specific jobs, such as lighting, sound, staging, catering, bartending, décor, etc. The subcontractors are required to have their own CGL/WC in place and “MUST” provide a certificate of insurance naming the “Event Producer” as an additional insured.

• Responsible for the “spectator liability” at the event. Usually, event promoters sign the venue contract as they are the ones “hosting the event” for themselves, or they offer the primary spectator liability insurance via contract for their “Event Client”). CGL annual rating is usually based on the “number of events or “total admissions for the year,” or we offer “one-offs” special event policies for just the single event/concert.

• Responsible for the placement of people for different functions at the event, such as entertainment, entertainers, lighting, sound, staging, catering, bartending, décor, ticket takers, ushers, information booths, and T-security, to name a few. With the exception of security, we can handle these with my insurance carriers. Security needs to have their own insurance in place. The insurance carriers we work with would prefer that many of the contracted subs have their own insurance.
• A true “staffing company” would not use subs; all individuals would be considered “employees” of the event staffing company, and they would carry “workers’ compensation” on the “staff.” Depending on what kind of staffing they do, it’s not an easy risk to insure.