No Tour Insurance Or Inadequate Coverage - Traps & Scams Every Musician Must Avoid

You are on the road and something goes catastrophically wrong. Your guitar case vanishes at midnight. Your driver flips a rental van into a ditch. A promoter cancels a string of shows and says sorry like that solves the rent check problem. You realize you do not have the right coverage or worse you have no coverage at all. This guide exists to stop that exact horror story from happening to you or any band you care about.

We are going to be blunt and a little cruel to common sense. Insurance is boring until it pays for the things that can destroy your career. If you treat insurance like a suggestion you will learn the hard way what it actually means to be uninsured on tour. This guide will teach you the policies to consider, the traps promoters and scammers use, and the exact verification steps to take before you set foot on a plane.

Why Touring Without Proper Insurance Is a Bad Idea

Touring looks glamorous on Instagram. Reality includes long drives, weird contracts, and a chain of people who do not give refunds unless forced to. The costs of a single bad night can be enough to bankrupt an indie artist or erase the profit from a year of gigging.

Here are the outcomes you want to avoid.

• Personal liability for injuries that happen at your show.
• Replacement costs for stolen or damaged gear that you have to front out of pocket.
• Lost tour income after a legitimate cancellation with no payout.
• Medical evacuation or repatriation if something happens overseas.
• Legal fees from contracts you signed without reading the insurance clauses.

If those sound dramatic you have not been on a tour where the promoter bounced and the venue blamed a broken AC. Insurance moves money from chaos to calm. It is a pain now and a paycheck saver later.

Common Insurance Terms Musicians Must Know

If you have ever been handed a contract and felt like it was written in another language you are not alone. Here are the terms you will see over and over. We will explain them without lawyer speak.

• COI stands for Certificate of Insurance. This is the one page that proves someone carries a policy. It is not the full policy. Think of it like a screenshot not the entire movie.
• General liability also called GL. This covers third party injuries and property damage that occur during your activity. If a fan trips over a cable and sues you, GL is the thing that helps.
• Equipment insurance covers your instruments, amps, and stage gear if they are stolen lost or damaged. This is also called instruments and equipment insurance in some quotes.
• Loss of income or business interruption coverage replaces lost revenue when shows are canceled for covered reasons.
• Artist cancellation protects a promoter or the artist if the artist cancels due to illness or injury. This must be supported by evidence like a doctor note.
• Workers compensation covers crew and employees for on the job injuries in many countries and states. You might be required to carry this if you hire paid technicians.
• Primary and noncontributory is an endorsement that says this policy pays first and other policies do not chip in until this one has paid. Promoters often demand this so they do not get dragged into paying.
• Subrogation is when an insurer pays a claim then goes after the responsible party to get their money back. That can matter if you are sued but your insurer thinks someone else should pay.
• Endorsement is a policy change or addition that modifies coverage. COIs rarely show endorsements in full so you must request them if a contract requires them.
• ATA Carnet is not insurance. It is a customs document that lets you take equipment across borders temporarily without paying import duties. If you cross borders check carnet requirements separately.

Trap One: No Insurance At All

You will be surprised how many small touring acts run with zero coverage. We get it. Money is tight and the band is bootstrapping. You might believe that your credit card will fix everything. It will not. A single accident can cost tens of thousands in liability or equipment replacement. That is not a loan you want to take when your break even barely covers gas and burritos.

Real life scenario

Imagine your keyboardist leaves a bag with a $5,000 controller in a green room. The venue claims it never saw the bag. You did not get a receipt for the rider. The venue says it is not liable because the green room is unsecured. You are told to file a police report which you do. Your landlord and label both ask for money back. Without equipment insurance you are out the full cost and cold to your booked shows.

What to do

• Buy at least basic equipment insurance and general liability before your first larger tour. There are affordable policies for small acts.
• Create an inventory list with serial numbers and receipts. Keep a copy online that you can access from anywhere. This speeds up claims and proves ownership.
• Require a COI from any venue or promoter that asks you to sign away liability. If they cannot produce one they are a red flag.

Trap Two: Fake Or Invalid COI

Scammers can make a COI look real with a quick template edit. Promoters sometimes toss you a COI that names the wrong dates or lists a policy that expired. You could be performing with a certificate that covers nothing. This trap is nasty because it looks official until it is not.

Real life scenario

A promoter emails a COI naming your band as additional insured and promising a one million dollar policy. The COI has the right logo and looks professional. You play the show. Weeks later someone trips and sues. You discover the COI used a fake insurer name. The venue produced a different COI to your insurer than the one you were shown. You spend months in legal limbo while the promoter goes silent.

What to do

• Verify COIs by calling the issuing insurer or broker. Use the contact information on the insurer website not the one on the COI. Fraud happens with false contact numbers.
• Check dates and named insured fields. Make sure the COI covers the full dates of travel load in and load out. Verify location specifics match your contract.
• Request to see endorsements that the contract requires like primary and noncontributory. COIs do not always show endorsements so ask for confirmation in writing from the insurer.

Trap Three: Coverage Limits That Do Not Match Your Contract

Promoters and venues will often have minimum insurance limits they will accept. If you sign a contract that requires one million per occurrence and you only have two hundred thousand you just agreed to be personally liable for anything beyond that tiny number. Some artists assume any policy is better than none. That is not true when limits are far too low.

Real life scenario

You have a twenty five thousand dollar limit on general liability. A cable trip at a festival causes a severe injury and the medical and legal bills approach a million. Your policy pays the first twenty five thousand and you or your promoter are responsible for the rest. If your contract forced you to carry one million you lose the fight in court because you signed away that right.

What to do

• Match policy limits to contractual obligations. If a venue asks for one million per occurrence carry one million per occurrence.
• Consider aggregate limits. An aggregate limit is the total the insurer will pay in a policy period. If you will run many shows in a year you may need a higher aggregate limit or event based coverage.
• If you cannot afford full limits negotiate with promoters to provide venue liability or to split responsibility. Put any agreement in writing.

Trap Four: Exclusions That Make The Policy Useless

Policies have exclusions. Read them. Some policies exclude theft from unattended vehicles. Some exclude acts of war or terrorism. Some smaller event cancellation policies exclude pandemics. The policy might look expensive and robust until you find that everything that actually happens on tour is excluded.

Real life scenario

A gig is canceled because a riot breaks out near the venue. Your loss of income policy covers cancellation but excludes civil unrest. You sit in the van polishing your jawline for the next TikTok and pay the crew out of pocket. The insurer denies your claim citing the exclusion clause. You just bought a policy that did not protect the actual risk you faced.

What to do

• Ask your broker to explain exclusions in plain English. Get the exclusions in writing and highlight anything that seems likely on your route.
• Buy riders for high risk items. If you travel through areas where theft is common get vehicle theft coverage and secure storage endorsements.
• Consider separate event cancellation policies that include civil unrest or other specific perils you worry about. You can buy one show coverage if you are a small act playing a risky festival.

Trap Five: Not Covering Travel And International Risks

Going international changes everything. Countries have different regulations for work rights and insurance. Medical care overseas costs far more and medical evacuation is expensive. Also your equipment faces customs inspection. You need more than domestic policies in most cases.

Real life scenario

Your drummer gets badly sick in a country where your travel insurance limits are low. The only safe option is a medical evacuation flight that costs tens of thousands. Your travel policy has a cap that is less than the evacuation cost. You have to crowdfund the flight while missing shows and losing credibility with local partners.

What to do

• Buy travel insurance that includes medical evacuation and repatriation. This is not the same as equipment insurance or general liability.
• Check visa and work permit rules. Some countries require proof of certain insurance before you are allowed to perform.
• Use an ATA Carnet for equipment crossing borders to avoid customs headaches. Carnets are not insurance but they matter for logistics.

Trap Six: Misunderstanding Artist Cancellation Versus Promoter Cancellation

These are two very different beasts. Artist cancellation insurance pays when the artist must cancel due to specified reasons like illness or injury. Promoter cancellation cover pays when the promoter or venue cancels for covered reasons. If a promoter cancels due to bankruptcy you might be out unless you bought contingent cancellation cover or a loss of income policy.

Real life scenario

Your van breaks down and you cancel nights. You have artist cancellation that covers the fee lost to the promoter. Then the promoter cancels a run because ticket sales tanked and claims force majeure to avoid paying guarantees. You need contingent loss of income and promoter insolvency coverage to stand a chance of getting money for that scenario.

What to do

• Clarify which party would get paid in each type of cancellation. Read your contract and the policy. The money does not automatically flow to your bank account.
• Consider loss of income insurance that specifically covers promoter insolvency and ticketing failure for contracted shows.
• If you are headlining consider artist cancellation insurance for illness. It can be pricey but worth it if a large guarantee is at stake.

Trap Seven: Sketchy Brokers And Low Cost Offers That Sound Too Good

There are honest low cost insurers but there are also scammy brokers who promise the world for a fee. Some may create fake COIs or sell policies with impossible exclusions. Others charge upfront and disappear. If you are newer in the industry you are a target.

Real life scenario

A broker cold messages you and offers a full year of touring insurance for an extremely low price. They request payment via an untraceable method. You pay and get a PDF COI. When you try to verify the policy the insurer denies issuing it. You have lost money and exposure remains.

What to do

• Work with brokers who specialize in entertainment insurance. Ask other bands and managers for referrals.
• Pay by traceable method. Avoid wire to unknown accounts. Use a credit card when possible for added dispute protections.
• Call the insurer listed on any COI. Use the insurer contact info from their official website not the contact info on the COI.

Trap Eight: Agreeing To Indemnity Clauses Without Insurance Backstop

Indemnity is a contract term where one party promises to cover losses the other party might face. Promoters and venues often want artists to indemnify them. If you agree and do not have matching insurance you could be financially ruined if something goes wrong.

Real life scenario

Your stage tech trips and breaks equipment owned by the venue. The venue sues and your contract requires you to indemnify them. You have no liability insurance. You must pay for damages and legal fees out of your band's bank account. That single lawsuit buys a future where your band is unpaid and angry.

What to do

• Never sign indemnity obligations without confirming your coverage will respond. Ask your broker to confirm in writing.
• Negotiate indemnity clauses to be mutual where reasonable. If the venue is asking for one sided coverage ask for a reduction in fee or for the venue to provide coverage in return.
• Attach insurance requirements to the contract. Make the promoter provide a COI naming you as additional insured if they expect you to accept a large indemnity clause.

Trap Nine: Coinsurance And Large Deductibles You Did Not Notice

Coinsurance means you split the cost of a claim with the insurer by a percentage. Large deductibles mean you pay a lot before the insurer pays anything. Both can leave you scraping together cash after a loss even if you technically have insurance.

Real life scenario

Your trailer is broken into and gear worth fifteen thousand dollars is stolen. The policy has a two thousand dollar deductible and twenty percent coinsurance. The insurer reduces the payout by twenty percent and you also pay the two thousand. You get only ten thousand. You are still short and the thief spent your rehearsal budget on a new console.

What to do

• Read the deductible and coinsurance terms. Ask the broker to show example math on a plausible claim so you understand what you would actually receive.
• Buy lower deductible options if you can. You will pay more in premium but have more certainty when something happens.
• Plan cash reserves to cover the deductible so you are not scrambling to pay the crew and replace gear immediately.

Practical Insurance Checklist Before You Hit The Road

Print this. Put it on the van dashboard. Have your manager memorize it if you ever get one. Do these checks before you sign a contract or step into a venue.

• Do you have general liability with limits that match the contract minimums
• Does your equipment insurance cover transit theft and accidental damage while on the road
• Do you have travel medical and medical evacuation for international legs
• Is there artist cancellation or loss of income if the tour collapses for covered reasons
• Did you verify COIs by calling the insurer with official contact details
• Are endorsements like primary and noncontributory in place if the contract demands them
• Do you have proof of ownership like serial numbers and photos for all gear you insure
• Does your workers compensation cover any paid crew on the tour as required by local law
• Have you read exclusions that matter to your route and bookings
• Do you have an emergency fund set aside to cover deductibles and immediate expenses

How To Verify Insurance And COIs Like A Pro

Verification is not dramatic but it is how you avoid fraud and mistakes. Do this every single time a promoter or venue sends you a COI.

1. Look up the insurer online. Use their official website to find a phone number and email.
2. Call the insurer. Ask if the COI was issued and whether the policy covers the exact dates locations and additional insured language you need.
3. Ask the name of the broker. Call the broker if you need a quick confirmation or clarification on endorsements. Good brokers will answer quickly.
4. Ask for endorsements in writing. If the contract requires primary and noncontributory or specific limits request an endorsement page that shows those words.
5. Document the verification. Save emails or record the call time and the name of the person you spoke with so you can show you tried to confirm.

Smart Coverages For Touring Musicians

You do not need every policy. Pick the ones that match your risk profile and budget. Here are the usual suspects and why they matter.

General Liability

Essential for venues and promoters. Covers third party injury and property damage related to the event. Recommended minimum one million per occurrence for most professional acts. Increase limits for festivals and larger venues.

Equipment Insurance

Covers instruments and gear for theft and damage. Consider agreed value coverage for expensive items like rare guitars so you do not get a depreciated payout. Add transit theft and unattended vehicle coverage if you sleep in your van sometimes.

Loss Of Income And Contingent Cancellation

Replaces revenue from canceled shows caused by covered events. Make sure promoter insolvency and venue failure scenarios are considered if those are risks on your route.

Artist Cancellation

Protects against lost fees when an artist must cancel for medical reasons. Useful for headliners on large guaranteed tours. These policies are underwritten tightly and require documentation.

Travel Medical And Evacuation

Vital for international travel. Evacuation can cost more than the show guarantee. Buy policies that include repatriation and cover pre existing conditions if possible.

Workers Compensation

Required in many jurisdictions for paid staff. Covers crew injuries. It is a legal requirement in many places so do not skip it if you hire help.

Event Liability For Single Shows

If you are doing a one off or a festival you can buy event specific policies for that show. They can be cheaper and tailored to a single date.

Negotiation Hacks To Minimize Insurance Burdens

You can negotiate insurance requirements. Promoters ask for high limits out of habit not malice. Here is how to push back without sounding like a cheapskate.

• Offer to accept venue insurance that names you as additional insured. This shifts responsibility to the venue for large premises cover.
• Propose a cap on indemnity that matches what you can realistically cover. A promoter who wants you to indemnify an event for unlimited amounts is asking too much.
• Ask for escrow of deposit or guarantee. If the promoter cannot produce proof of funds you can require partial payment up front.
• If you are doing many dates in one city negotiate a single event policy from the promoter rather than forcing you to buy individual policies for each night.
• Have standard contract language that says any additional insured requirement must be confirmed by the insurer. Do not sign blank insurance promises and hope for the best.

How To Choose A Broker

Do not pick a broker based on the cheapest quote alone. Pick one you can call at midnight and that knows entertainment. Here is a short checklist.

• Specializes in entertainment and tour insurance
• Provides references from other artists and managers
• Explains exclusions plainly and shows endorsements before you buy
• Uses traceable payment methods and provides itemized invoices
• Has relationships with insurers that underwrite music risks

Emergency Response Plan For When The Worst Happens

Insurance pays after the fact but you still need a plan in the moment. Here is an emergency plan that will make your insurer and your crew grateful.

1. Stop the show only if required. Manage the scene. Protect people before equipment or money.
2. Document everything with photos and video. Get witness contact info and medical reports if someone is injured.
3. Call the police and file an official report for theft or major incidents. Insurers require police reports for many claims.
4. Call your broker or insurer immediately. Ask for a claim number and instructions on what to preserve for the claim.
5. Keep receipts for emergency expenses. Insurers will reimburse covered costs but need proof.
6. Communicate with your crew and bandmates. Let the team know next steps and who handles what. Chaos costs money.

Sample Language To Ask For From A Promoter

Use this as a starting point in emails when a promoter asks you to sign a contract where they will provide insurance. Copy paste and customize.

Can you please provide a Certificate of Insurance that names our company Lyric Assistant Touring LLC as additional insured for the event dates listed in the contract. Please confirm the policy includes primary and noncontributory wording and lists the venue address exactly as stated. We also require verification that the COI covers general liability limits of at least one million dollars per occurrence and two million dollars aggregate. Please send the COI from your insurer with contact details so we can confirm directly.

This sounds bureaucratic and it is. It also protects you.

Real World Horror Stories To Learn From

Here are anonymized true events so you can see what happens when things go wrong.

Story One

Band A trusted a local promoter and performed at a warehouse show where the promoter promised to provide liability insurance. After a small fire injured three people the promoter claimed the insurance never covered the venue type. The band was dragged into litigation and forced to settle with limited resources. The band had no equipment insurance either. Two members quit and the band lost momentum that took years to recover.

Story Two

A DJ collective toured Europe and did not secure evacuation coverage. When a member fell ill in a country with expensive private care the bill for evacuation exceeded their entire tour gross. They canceled the rest of the shows and had to crowdfund because their credit cards maxed out. A small travel medical policy would have prevented months of hardship.

Story Three

An indie singer signed a contract that required a one million dollar general liability policy. They assumed the promoter had it but never checked. A stage collapse injured a photographer. The singer ended up paying large legal fees before a judge determined the promoter was mostly responsible. The delay ruined the chance to book a supporting tour that would have solved the debt.

Action Plan For Artists And Managers Right Now

1. Inventory your gear with serial numbers and receipts. Put it in the cloud and share it with your bandmates.
2. Call three entertainment brokers and ask for quotes on general liability and equipment insurance. Ask for explanations of exclusions.
3. Create a standard contract rider that outlines your insurance needs and how COIs must be verified.
4. Set aside an emergency fund equal to a deductible and a small crew payroll for two weeks. Treat it like rent for the band.
5. Before any show ask for the venue COI and verify it directly with the insurer. Do not accept a screenshot sent by a promoter.

How Much Will This Cost Me

Insurance is not free. Expect to pay more as you increase limits or tour internationally. As a ballpark for U S domestic small tours expect a few hundred to a few thousand per year depending on limits and the value of the gear. A single event insurance policy can cost under one hundred for a small show or thousands for festivals. Artist cancellation for a major headliner can cost tens of thousands because it pays a large guarantee. Think of insurance as a fixed touring expense like gas and lodging. It is painful until it saves you from bankruptcy.

FAQ

What is a COI and why is it not enough by itself

A COI is a Certificate of Insurance. It proves a policy exists and lists basic coverages. It is not the policy nor does it show endorsements or exclusions. COIs can be forged or out of date. Always verify COIs by calling the insurer directly using contact details from the insurer website.

Do I need insurance if the venue says they have coverage

Maybe. Venue insurance often covers the venue and their guests. It may not protect your equipment or your liability for how you operate. Do not assume venue coverage protects you. Negotiate to be named as additional insured on the venue policy if needed. If the contract forces you to carry coverage make sure it matches your obligations.

How much liability coverage should a small touring band carry

One million dollars per occurrence is a common baseline. Increase limits for festivals and larger venues. Also check whether the contract requires higher limits and match those requirements. Having insufficient limits can leave you personally liable beyond your policy.

Can I insure my gear for agreed value rather than actual cash value

Yes. Agreed value policies pay a predetermined amount for an item rather than a depreciated value. This is useful for rare or custom instruments. Discuss agreed value options with your broker so you do not receive a low depreciated payout after a claim.

What is primary and noncontributory and why do promoters ask for it

Primary and noncontributory is an endorsement that makes the named policy pay first and prevents other insurers from sharing the loss. Promoters ask for it so their own insurance is not tapped. It is a common requirement but you must verify the endorsement exists on the actual policy and not just on a COI.

If a promoter cancels do I automatically get paid by my insurance

Not automatically. Artist cancellation and loss of income policies are separate and require specific covered reasons. Promoter insolvency and cancellation for non covered reasons might not be paid by standard policies. Read the policy or talk to your broker to understand which scenarios are covered.

How do I avoid fake COIs and fraudulent brokers

Verify COIs by calling the insurer directly using contact information from the insurer website. Use traceable payments when you purchase policies. Work with referrals from other artists and managers. If something feels too cheap or too easy it probably is.

Is travel insurance enough for international touring

Travel insurance covers medical and travel related incidents. It does not replace equipment insurance or event liability. You will likely need multiple policies for full protection when touring internationally. Also check visa and work permit insurance requirements for each country.

Get Contact Details of Music Industry Gatekeepers

Looking for an A&R, Manager or Record Label to skyrocket your music career?

Don’t wait to be discovered, take full control of your music career. Get access to the contact details of the gatekeepers of the music industry. We're talking email addresses, contact numbers, social media...

Packed with contact details for over 3,000 of the top Music Managers, A&Rs, Booking Agents & Record Label Executives.

Get exclusive access today, take control of your music journey and skyrocket your music career.

Unlock Instant Access