Insurance providers for laser shows?

[Expo86]

Hi all,

It still seems like Canada might as well be in the middle of the bush sometimes as I'm having trouble sourcing insurance companies or even brokers that know what Im looking for.
I did have a phone call on an unrelated matter from Tyler at Laser Fantasy in Seattle and he seemed to think they used Kimble&Kimble through Hollywood Insurance and only pay around $300/year for a $4,000,000 policy. The quote I received from a local broker was $2,500 for 1 million, which does not seem right to me.

Anyone offer any suggestions as to who they use or even whether its better to use a single use/per event policy than a year long general policy?

Thank you

Pete

[Galvonaut]

Insurance is always tricky - In the UK I needed insurance cover as a photographer but that had to include doing aerial photography from a helicopter with the door removed - something that most brokers either could not provide or would provide but with an obscene price tag!

I found a direct insurer - rather than a broker who I am sure still shared the risk but was able to provide decent cover for a reasonable sum of money.

Another option is to look at theatrical insurance. The type that covers people for light rigging etc. as they can include laser effects. You might get some names from a local theatrical association or union.

Hope this helps.

Keith

[dsli_jon]

Heya Pete -

..around $300/year for a $4,000,000 policy. The quote I received from a local broker was $2,500 for 1 million,...

No, the 'local broker' quote sounds about right.. the '$300. / yr for $4M' sounds like someone's bad-recollection, sorry.. That would be - at best - pricing for a 'one-off', and even then, that sounds outlandishly-low, like - Perhaps the agency didn't understand what they were actually writing-it for?... I've never heard of a (good / the kind of coverage you'd want..) Policy so-inexpensive for that-much coverage.. ..here in the US, that-is. You may-find Canada, like our UK-brethren, to offer more economical-products..

..Typically, even $1M for a single-event is going to run ~$450-500.+ (depending if you let them know if there's 'bands' involved (concert-like..) and if it's for a (literally..) a Rap or Metal-band? Pff, it's gonna be 4x that, if they'll even write it.. They come-back and ask real-explicit questions if it's for a large-crowd / concert-like event / there's booze being-sold (..even if you've got nothing to do with that-aspect..) etc, etc.. So, ya.. $300. for $4M, annual, sounds like a 'doobie-memory', sorry to say..

We've been with 'Burlington' for years, and I *think* they might be able to write you up.. I can check later today.. I assume this is for gigs in 'Oh, Canada' (and not the US..) yes Lemme know..

..As-to 'one-off vs annual', certainly, an annual-policy will be a 'better value' if you're doing several-gigs / year.. If it's truly a 'one-off', then that might be the way to go, cuz, ya.. An annual, even for $1M of basic-liab is quite-likely to run you $1K, at-least..

cheers..
j

PS - +1 for what Keith said, above.. that's how Our 'industry' is viewed / classified, for our coverage.. 'Touring Theatrical Production Co.'.. fwiw..

[Laserhobbit]

In the UK I use Doodsons, http://www.doodsonbg.com/Why-Doodson-Entertainment. They provide a really comprehensive service at a price which doesn't seem to bad, about £350-£400/year for 5 Million in cover. The main point here is that I know some people use non specialist insurers who seem a little flaky about whether they cover laser shows specifically. I would avoid these, as you will only ever find out if the work you do is really excluded if you ever have to make a serious claim. I have a number of other businesses and insurance is one thing I never skimp on, its just a fixed cost in doing business and should be added to your other fixed costs like banking, accountancy, heat and light etc.

Hope this helps

Cheers

Steve

[norty303]

I just got a quote off Doodson yesterday for freelancer cover (£2m PLI) for me, quoting the nature of business as 'Lighting production and laser display' and it came in at just over £200 for the year.
To be honest, laser stuff is not really any more risky than any production work - the vast majority of claims are going to be for non-eye related stuff such as trips, falls, drops or damage to fixtures and fittings of venues.
And in terms of risk and payout, I don't think you're going to kill someone with a laser, but you might just do that dropping a moving head on them or elecrocuting them, so the premiums shouldn't be horrific.

Sounds like things are either very different in the US, or someone is ripping someone off.

I'm just trying to sort out some equipment cover currently - another forum I use has had 2 reports of lockup/warehouse fires in the last week... certainly focusses the mind!

[clickamouse]

We just had to get a $2m policy to do a show (lumia) at the University of Michigan.
We found a local guy who got us a years worth for $920.
Ymmv.

...Mike

[buffo]

I pay $750 per year for 1 Million per event, 3 Million aggregate general business liability insurance through Southern Cross Underwriters. It doesn't cover any of my gear though. Just my liability. And yes, it specifically covers laser eye damage, among other things like rigging failures and so on.

Adam