DJ Insurance

The best DJ insurance to start with is usually a general liability policy. It’s often required by event planners or venues, and it could help cover injuries to non-employees and accidental damage to other people’s property during gigs.

Depending on how you run your business, you might also consider commercial property insurance to help cover your gear and business property. Workers’ comp may be required if you have employees. A Business Owner’s Policy (BOP insurance) bundles general liability and commercial property coverage together into one policy that’s often more cost-efficient than buying both coverages separately. And if you drive for gigs, commercial auto could help protect your driving along the way.

Get a free instant quote to learn which coverage will provide the best protection for your business.

Many venues and event planners also require proof of DJ insurance before you can get hired. It’s common for DJs to be asked for a certificate of insurance (COI) before they can sign the contract. Events may also require you to list them as an additional insured.

Even if you're just performing occasionally as a side hustle, you can still be held responsible if someone gets hurt or something gets damaged.

Event organizers are responsible for the safety of the space, including vendors, customers and property. To help manage that risk, they’ll often ask DJs or other vendors to show proof of insurance so that they’re not taking on all the business risks involved with the event.

But if you’re doing gigs throughout the year, your risk doesn’t stop the day that the event ends.

For example, an event owner notices damages to the stage and PA system after the wedding you played, and they could file a claim against you days or even weeks later. If you only have one-day DJ insurance, it may not extend to a claim that comes in after the event. The cost of medical bills, property damage or legal fees would be your personal responsibility.

Some DJs try to save on costs with just a one-day policy or short-term coverage to meet a single event requirement. But if you’re doing multiple events throughout the year, an annual policy could help better protect your business and save you the time of applying for and acquiring new coverage for every gig.

Note that ERGO NEXT does not sell one-day event policies.

Your risk doesn’t change as a DJ just because it’s not your full-time job. If something goes wrong at a gig, you could still be held responsible.

With ERGO NEXT, you can easily add a venue or event organizer as an additional insured on your insurance policy. This is often required before you sign a contract. Just log in to your account and the additional insured can be added instantly. You can then share unlimited certificates of insurance (COIs) at no additional cost.