Band Insurance Guide 2025

Insurance might not be exciting, but it's essential for protecting your band, equipment, and livelihood. This guide covers all types of insurance musicians need.

Types of Insurance for Musicians

1. Equipment Insurance

What It Covers:

• Instruments
• Amplifiers
• PA systems
• Recording equipment
• Computers/software
• Cables and accessories
• Cases and bags

Coverage Types:

• Theft
• Damage
• Loss
• Fire
• Water damage
• Vandalism
• Accidental damage

Typical Cost: $100-500/year depending on coverage

When You Need It:

• Equipment value over $5,000
• Touring regularly
• Storing equipment in vehicle
• Renting rehearsal space
• Playing public venues

2. Liability Insurance

What It Covers:

• Bodily injury at your events
• Property damage
• Legal defense costs
• Medical expenses
• Settlements/judgments

Coverage Amounts:

• Typical: $1-2 million per occurrence
• Aggregate: $2-4 million per year

Typical Cost: $300-800/year

When You Need It:

• Required by venues
• Hosting events
• Teaching lessons
• Running a music business
• Touring

3. Vehicle Insurance

What It Covers:

• Tour vehicle
• Equipment in vehicle
• Liability while driving
• Collision/comprehensive
• Rental vehicle coverage

Special Considerations:

• Commercial use vs. personal
• Equipment coverage limits
• Multiple drivers
• Out-of-state coverage
• Rental vehicle insurance

Typical Cost: Varies widely by vehicle and use

When You Need It:

• Touring
• Transporting equipment
• Using vehicle for business
• Multiple band members driving

4. Health Insurance

What It Covers:

• Medical care
• Prescriptions
• Mental health
• Preventive care
• Emergency care
• Hospitalization

Options for Musicians:

• Employer coverage (day job)
• Spouse's plan
• ACA marketplace
• Professional associations
• COBRA (temporary)
• Medicaid (if eligible)

Typical Cost: $200-800/month (varies widely)

When You Need It:

• Always (essential)
• Especially if self-employed
• Before leaving day job
• When touring

5. Disability Insurance

What It Covers:

• Income replacement if injured/ill
• Short-term disability
• Long-term disability
• Partial disability

Coverage Amounts:

• Typically 50-70% of income
• Monthly benefit limits
• Waiting periods
• Benefit periods

Typical Cost: 1-3% of annual income

When You Need It:

• Music is primary income
• Self-employed
• No employer coverage
• Supporting dependents

6. Business Insurance

What It Covers:

• Business property
• Business liability
• Business interruption
• Professional liability
• Workers compensation (if employees)

Typical Cost: $500-2,000/year

When You Need It:

• Registered business
• Employees
• Studio/office space
• Significant revenue
• Contracts requiring it

Equipment Insurance Providers

1. Clarion Associates

Specialization: Musical instruments and equipment Coverage: Worldwide, all-risk Minimum: $1,000 Deductible: $250-1,000

Features:

• Music industry specialist
• Worldwide coverage
• Replacement cost
• No depreciation
• Quick claims

Cost Example: $10,000 equipment ~$200-300/year

Website: clarionins.com

2. Heritage Insurance

Specialization: Musical instruments Coverage: Comprehensive Minimum: $500 Deductible: $250-500

Features:

• Instrument specialists
• Agreed value coverage
• Worldwide protection
• Quick quotes
• Online management

Cost Example: $10,000 equipment ~$150-250/year

Website: heritageinsurance.com

3. MusicPro Insurance

Specialization: Music industry Coverage: Equipment, liability, more Minimum: Varies Deductible: Varies

Features:

• Comprehensive packages
• Equipment + liability
• Business coverage
• Touring coverage
• Industry expertise

Cost Example: Packages from $300/year

Website: musicproinsurance.com

4. State Farm / Allstate / Farmers

Specialization: General insurance Coverage: Can add to homeowners/renters Minimum: Varies Deductible: Typically $500-1,000

Features:

• Add to existing policy
• Local agents
• Established companies
• May be cheaper
• Limited coverage

Considerations:

• Coverage limits
• May not cover business use
• Higher deductibles
• Less specialized

Cost Example: $5,000 rider ~$50-100/year

5. Homeowners/Renters Insurance

Coverage: Limited for instruments Typical Limits: $1,000-2,500 for instruments Deductible: $500-1,000

Pros:

• Already have it
• Covers some equipment
• Affordable

Cons:

• Low limits
• High deductibles
• May not cover business use
• May not cover touring
• Depreciated value

When Sufficient:

• Equipment under $2,500
• Not touring
• Not business use
• Stored at home

Liability Insurance Providers

1. The Hartford (via MusicPro)

Coverage: $1-2 million per occurrence Cost: $300-500/year Features:

• Venue requirements met
• Quick certificates
• Nationwide coverage
• Music industry focus

Website: musicproinsurance.com

2. K&K Insurance

Coverage: Event and venue liability Cost: Per-event or annual Features:

• Event-specific coverage
• Quick online quotes
• Certificate generation
• Affordable

Website: kandkinsurance.com

3. FLIP (Front Line Insurance Professionals)

Coverage: Comprehensive music industry Cost: Varies by coverage Features:

• Music industry specialist
• Equipment + liability packages
• Touring coverage
• Business insurance

Website: frontlineinsurance.com

4. ACT Insurance

Coverage: Entertainment industry Cost: Competitive rates Features:

• Entertainment focus
• Quick quotes
• Flexible coverage
• Good reputation

Website: actinsurance.com

Health Insurance Options

1. ACA Marketplace (Healthcare.gov)

What It Is: Government health insurance marketplace Cost: Varies by income (subsidies available) Coverage: Comprehensive plans

Pros:

• Subsidies for lower income
• Can't be denied
• Comprehensive coverage
• Preventive care included

Cons:

• Can be expensive without subsidies
• Limited enrollment periods
• Network restrictions
• Deductibles can be high

Website: healthcare.gov

2. Professional Associations

Organizations:

• Recording Academy (MusiCares)
• American Federation of Musicians (AFM)
• SAG-AFTRA
• Various state/local associations

What They Offer:

• Group rates
• Health insurance access
• Supplemental coverage
• Wellness programs

Pros:

• Group rates
• Music industry understanding
• Additional benefits
• Community

Cons:

• Membership fees
• May still be expensive
• Limited options
• Eligibility requirements

3. Health Sharing Ministries

What They Are: Faith-based cost-sharing programs Cost: $100-400/month Coverage: Varies

Pros:

• Lower cost
• Community-based
• Some flexibility

Cons:

• Not insurance
• Not guaranteed coverage
• Restrictions
• Pre-existing conditions
• Not ACA-compliant

Examples:

• Medi-Share
• Christian Healthcare Ministries
• Liberty HealthShare

Note: Research carefully before choosing

4. Short-Term Health Insurance

What It Is: Temporary coverage (up to 12 months) Cost: Lower than ACA plans Coverage: Limited

Pros:

• Lower premiums
• Quick enrollment
• Bridge coverage

Cons:

• Limited coverage
• Can deny pre-existing conditions
• Not ACA-compliant
• No preventive care
• Not renewable

When to Use:

• Between jobs
• Waiting for ACA enrollment
• Temporary gap

Determining Your Insurance Needs

Equipment Insurance

Calculate Total Value:

• List all equipment
• Current replacement cost
• Include accessories
• Don't forget small items
• Update annually

Assess Risk:

• How often do you tour?
• Where is equipment stored?
• Transportation methods?
• Venue security?
• Home security?

Decision Factors:

• Total value over $5,000: Get insurance
• Regular touring: Definitely get insurance
• Equipment in vehicle: Get insurance
• Home storage only: Maybe add to homeowners
• Vintage/irreplaceable: Get specialized coverage

Liability Insurance

When It's Required:

• Venue contracts
• Festival bookings
• Corporate events
• Teaching
• Running events

When It's Recommended:

• Any public performance
• Hosting events
• Band as business
• Significant assets to protect

Coverage Amounts:

• Minimum: $1 million per occurrence
• Recommended: $2 million per occurrence
• High-risk events: $3-5 million

Health Insurance

Always Essential:

• Medical emergencies are expensive
• Preventive care saves money
• Mental health coverage important
• Prescription coverage needed

Options by Situation:

• Day job: Use employer coverage
• Spouse works: Join their plan
• Self-employed: ACA marketplace
• Low income: Medicaid
• Between jobs: COBRA or short-term

Cost-Saving Strategies

Bundle Policies

Combine:

• Equipment + liability
• Auto + equipment
• Business package
• Multiple instruments

Savings: 10-25% typically

Increase Deductibles

Strategy:

• Higher deductible = lower premium
• Self-insure small losses
• Save difference in emergency fund

Example:

• $250 deductible: $300/year
• $1,000 deductible: $200/year
• Savings: $100/year

Pay Annually

Savings:

• Avoid monthly fees
• 5-10% discount typically
• One payment vs. 12

Maintain Good Records

Keep:

• Purchase receipts
• Serial numbers
• Photos of equipment
• Appraisals
• Maintenance records

Benefits:

• Easier claims
• Prove value
• May lower premiums
• Faster settlements

Shop Around

Compare:

• Multiple providers
• Different coverage levels
• Bundle options
• Annual vs. monthly

Review:

• Annually
• When equipment changes
• When needs change
• When better rates available

Filing Claims

Equipment Claims

Immediate Steps:

1. Report theft to police
2. Contact insurance company
3. Provide documentation
4. List stolen/damaged items
5. Provide receipts/photos

Documentation Needed:

• Police report (if theft)
• Purchase receipts
• Photos of equipment
• Serial numbers
• Repair estimates
• Replacement quotes

Timeline:

• Report immediately
• Provide documentation within days
• Claims processed in 2-4 weeks typically

Liability Claims

If Incident Occurs:

1. Document everything
2. Get witness information
3. Take photos
4. File incident report
5. Contact insurance immediately
6. Don't admit fault
7. Cooperate with investigation

What Insurance Handles:

• Investigation
• Legal defense
• Settlements
• Medical payments
• Court costs

Insurance Mistakes to Avoid

Don't:

• Underinsure equipment
• Skip liability insurance
• Forget to update coverage
• Assume homeowners covers everything
• Wait until you need it
• Lie on applications
• Forget to pay premiums
• Skip reading policy

Do:

• Insure replacement value
• Get adequate liability coverage
• Update annually
• Read policy carefully
• Get insurance before you need it
• Be honest on applications
• Set up auto-pay
• Understand what's covered

Special Situations

Touring Internationally

Additional Coverage Needed:

• International equipment coverage
• International liability
• Travel insurance
• Health insurance abroad
• Cancellation insurance

Providers:

• Clarion (international coverage)
• MusicPro (touring packages)
• Travel insurance companies

Vintage/Rare Instruments

Special Considerations:

• Agreed value coverage
• Professional appraisal
• Specialized insurance
• Higher premiums
• Detailed documentation

Providers:

• Heritage Insurance
• Clarion Associates
• Specialty insurers

Home Studio

Coverage Needed:

• Equipment insurance
• Business liability
• Business property
• Professional liability

Considerations:

• Homeowners may not cover business
• Need business policy
• Zoning issues
• Client liability

Conclusion

Insurance protects your investment, livelihood, and peace of mind. Start with equipment and liability insurance, ensure you have health coverage, and add other policies as your career grows.

Priority Order:

1. Health Insurance (essential)
2. Equipment Insurance (if over $5,000)
3. Liability Insurance (if performing publicly)
4. Vehicle Insurance (if touring)
5. Disability Insurance (if music is primary income)
6. Business Insurance (if registered business)

Quick Start Steps:

1. Inventory all equipment
2. Calculate total value
3. Get quotes from 3 providers
4. Compare coverage and costs
5. Purchase appropriate coverage
6. Document everything
7. Review annually

Resources:

• Clarion Associates: clarionins.com
• MusicPro Insurance: musicproinsurance.com
• Healthcare.gov: healthcare.gov
• K&K Insurance: kandkinsurance.com

Remember: Insurance is an investment in your career. The cost of being uninsured far exceeds the cost of premiums.