By James Fletcher
Touring musicians face a unique set of insurance risks. Here's everything you need to check before you leave.
Equipment Cover on Tour
Touring exposes your equipment to dramatically more risk than keeping it at home. Long-distance transport, unfamiliar venues, multiple load-ins and load-outs, and shared backstage spaces all increase the risk of damage or theft. Make sure your equipment policy includes transit cover, covers your full itinerary, and is in force before you leave.
Public Liability in Different Venues and Cities
Most domestic touring musician policies cover performances at venues throughout New Zealand. For international tours, check that your public liability extends to the countries on your tour itinerary. Some international venues may require higher liability limits than your existing policy provides — check venue requirements as part of your pre-tour preparation.
Travel Insurance for Musicians
Standard travel insurance doesn't cover professional equipment adequately. Musicians who tour overseas need either specialist instrument insurance with international cover or a travel policy with a specific endorsement for professional equipment. Check the exclusions carefully — most standard travel policies exclude professional or commercial equipment entirely.
💡 Tip: Never check instruments as standard baggage without confirming airline liability limits. Airlines limit liability per bag — often less than $1,000 — which may be far less than the value of your instrument.
Health and Income Protection on Tour
Illness on tour can mean cancelled shows, lost income, and significant costs. While ACC covers injury in New Zealand, overseas medical costs are not covered by ACC. Travel insurance with comprehensive medical cover is essential for international touring. For longer tours, income protection insurance may also be worth considering — protecting your earnings if illness or injury forces you off the road.
Pre-Tour Insurance Checklist
Before any significant tour, run through this checklist:
- →Confirm equipment insurance covers all tour dates and venues
- →Check public liability extends to all territories on your itinerary
- →Arrange travel insurance with professional equipment cover for overseas tours
- →Photograph all equipment and save receipts before leaving
- →Keep policy documents and emergency contact numbers accessible
- →Check venue requirements for each stop on the tour
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