DJGuard

[djtom12 0]

Hi folks, now that we are getting more established in this game, I'm currently looking for a company which will offer contents insurance and PLI cover. I stumbled across the Pavillion Insurance firm which I believe is Musicguard, Liabilityguard, DJguard etc and DJguard are quoting me £185p.a. for £2600 contents, breakdown cover, hire cover, £10,000 personal accident and £5 million PLI.

 

This seems like a reasonable quote to me. Does anybody have insurance with this firm and would you recommend them? The thing that is putting me off at the moment is if I had to make a claim on a piece of equipment that went bust/damaged, what process do DJguard go through? i.e. Do they send somebody to inspect the equipment or would it be a cheque to the value of the item?

 

Thanks for any advice!

[ChrisPointon 0]

DJ Guard is the same as the old Musicguard policy and offers Equipment and PLI Insurance for DJ's, they've just rebranded the it with various names to suit different applications (Orchestraguard for Brass Instruments, DJGuard for DJ's, PhotoGuard for Photographers, Studentguard for Students etc)

 

Although why anybody would want to insure a student is anybodies guess! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/whistling.gif

 

http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/071.gif

 

But basically, you are assured of the same high level of insurance and customer service under DJGuard as you were under Musicguard, its just a different name.

 

If you need a higher level of PLI cover, then joining the Musicians Union is a good place to start. Not only do you get the usual legal benefits and advice which comes with being a member of a union, but you also get free £10m PLI cover, and if you are still in full time education (School, College, Uni etc) then you also get a massive price reduction on membership too.

 

QUOTE

The thing that is putting me off at the moment is if I had to make a claim on a piece of equipment that went bust/damaged, what process do DJguard go through? i.e. Do they send somebody to inspect the equipment or would it be a cheque to the value of the item?

 

This is perhaps a question best asked directly from the company itself, then keep whatever the reply is on file, should you ever need to claim, this will help you to prevent them from going back on what they've said at a later date http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/smile.gif .

 

By asking questions directly to companies also gives you a good indication of how good their customer services are, i.e the speed and quality of the reply.

 

[djtom12 0]

Thanks for the advice Chris. I was originally looking at going with the MU for PLI but I believe I read somewhere that they don't cover mobile DJs? Probably wrong knowing me http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/rolleyes.gif .

 

I guess that contact DJ Guard directly is the best source of information about claims. I'll see what they're like. Would be nice to get the £10 million PLI from the MU though and getting contents cover separate. Might work out cheaper... dunno.

[ChrisPointon 0]

QUOTE

but I believe I read somewhere that they don't cover mobile DJs?

 

Thats an old wives tale http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/smile.gif .

 

I've contacted the MU on several occasions and have never been refused any of their services just because i'm a DJ. The MU rep even attended a DJU event in 2005 to promote their existance.........to DJ's

 

I think Dan has an Email from them somewhere stating the facts.

[Paul Smith 0]

I attended a regional MU meeting where it was made clear that DJs would be welcome to join and my membership category is 'DJ'

 

I'm just waiting for my 'Keep DJing Live' stickers http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/tongue.gif

 

Seriously though, 10 mill of PLI and legal advice plus the more DJs that join the more of a say we'll have. I have been in touch with them a couple of times since joining and their response has been swift.

[brianmole 0]

QUOTE (5star @ Jul 24 2006, 11:47 PM)

I'm just waiting for my 'Keep DJing Live' stickers http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/tongue.gif

Here you go...

 

http://www.dancemix.co.uk/images/keepdjlive.jpg

[music box 0]

Just to confirm DJ's can join the MU Music Box is a member.

I would recomend this to any DJ as well.

http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/headphone.gif

[djtom12 0]

Well I contacted the MU this morning and they do indeed accept DJs. The £10 million PLI cover and up to £1000 equipment for £54 per year is fantastic! Our equipment value is around £3000 but going by what I was told, the MU's rates for insurance sound pretty competitive, so it looks like the MU for me.

 

Now I just need a way to prove that I am in full time education - bit awkward seeing as the school term ended on Friday http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/rolleyes.gif !

 

Cheers for the advice.

[Danno13 0]

You get the discount if you're under 21, so no need to prove you're still at school http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/cool.gif

[otronics 0]

I am a member of the MU and it is utterly fantastic http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/smile.gif

 

Speed of service is great and it even says on my membership form 'Instruments Played - DJ'

 

http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/tongue.gif

 

Send them a copy of your passport - thats what I did and no trouble at all.

[Paul Smith 0]

QUOTE (brianmole @ Jul 25 2006, 08:00 AM)

Here you go... http://www.dancemix.co.uk/images/keepdjlive.jpg

You've already received yours then Brian http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif

 

I suspect, just like Yellow Pages, the MU have now gone alpha/numeric so B comes before 5 http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/kid.gif

[djtom12 0]

QUOTE (otronics @ Jul 25 2006, 02:46 PM)

Send them a copy of your passport - thats what I did and no trouble at all.

 

Might just do that. Sounds like the MU is really worth joining not only for the PLI but all the advice and support you get http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif .

[tonyj 0]

i've been a MU member for 2 years now, and when i've had to contact them its always been quick and clear advice (as Chris said previously)

 

totally recommend the MU, even recieved a good guide about tax returns with examples of what can and cant be claimed. those sayings i found helped pay for the yearly subscription http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/thumbup.gif

[Enfield KJ 0]

POSTS MERGED

 

Hi all,

 

The dreaded marquee!

 

I have set up early a few times for weddings in a marquee etc.

 

I usually only set the heavy stuff up but nothing for others to play with and no power etc.

 

The only way to be insured is to be with your equipment at all times! You can't even leave any items unattended while you load your van so work that one out.

 

you will see why it's a really sore point with me.

 

I would like to share a bad experience with the group in the hope it will prevent others going through the same ordeal.

 

I have been paying my DJ insurance policy year after year to DJ Guard/ Music Guard (Pavilion insurance).

 

I was providing the music for a wedding reception and as it was a large function, I had to take lots of equipment along. As it was such a large venue, I had so much equipment there were 38 items, boxes, cases, bags, stands etc.

 

Two of the speakers were 2000 watt Peavey UL215’s and they weigh 98 lbs (44.5 kg). This needed two of us to carry them to my van.

 

Unfortunately while I was loading the speakers into the van someone stole a laptop bag with 2 x Sony Vaio laptops inside costing over £3000.00

 

Pavilion Insurance/DJ Guard said they were not interested as I had not been with my equipment all of the time! It is physically impossible to be with all of my equipment at the same time as load it into the van!

 

Can anyone tell me how it is possible to be with all your equipment all of the time and load it into the van?

 

This means that after all the years I have been paying for my equipment to be insured

(28 years), I haven’t really been insured and therefore feel I have been conned.

 

Cheers.

 

Paul :damn:

 

[Dukesy 0]

I'm sure those who have had no auto insurance claims in 28 years of careful driving feel cheesed off for all the money they've spent on premiums too!

 

Always worth reading the small print of any insurance policy and discussing anything you are unsure about.

 

If equipment insurance (policy wording) does not cover such instances as 'unattended vehicle / stage cover', then it may be worth contacting other insurance providers to discuss their policy in detail - and move over to them if their policy provides you with the cover you desire.

 

Of course, if you believe that the policy cover that you had DID cover unattended vehicle / stage cover, and you feel that your insurance should have covered the theft, you could take your grievance to the Ombudsman:

 

The Financial Ombudsman Service, South Quay Plaza, 183 Marsh Wall, London E14 9SR

(Telephone No: 0845 080 1800).

[Dream Catchers 0]

I sympathise with you over your loss, however, your insurance company put clauses on how you should act and what you need to do to protect your gear.

 

Just think of your laptops as being bundles of cash. Would you leave £3k in cash on the front seat of your car without locking it?

Even in the back of the van, common sense would suggest that you lock the doors while you move kit from the van to the room.

 

Jim

[Enfield KJ 0]

I sympathise with you over your loss, however, your insurance company put clauses on how you should act and what you need to do to protect your gear.

 

Just think of your laptops as being bundles of cash. Would you leave £3k in cash on the front seat of your car without locking it?

Even in the back of the van, common sense would suggest that you lock the doors while you move kit from the van to the room.

 

Jim

 

Hi Jim,

 

The laptops were stolen from the stage, not the van. So in answer to your question; No, i wouldn't leave £3k cash OR THE LAPTOPS in the van without locking it.

 

The Van is always locked after each item is put in it as we have plenty of common sense!

 

My problem is, if we have 38 cases, boxes bags etc. How is it possible to carry all 38 itmes at the same time?

 

Obviously we had to carry certain items and leave certain items on the stage and as these heavy speakers have to fit in the brackets on the bulkhead at the front of the van, they have to be loaded first.

 

I think we acted properly and did everything we could because we couldn't be with all of the 38 items all of the time as it is impossible. I agree with what you have said though, if i left things in the van unlocked that would be negligent.

 

The only way forward if we have another large event like this is to charge the customenr more and have more helpers. The two of us were not enough.

 

But the really disappointing thing is my insurer didn't help me when i needed them. After paying my renewal premium for 28 years, i feel cheated.

 

Thanks for your comment.

 

Paul

[Andy Dunn 0]

I feel for you regarding that loss,and as far as I am concerned people like that should have their hands cut off.

I speak from experience after having an entire show and van stolen lock,stock and barrel some years ago.

 

Personally now I would try and not leave anything set up but if I had to then removing mains leads is not really any use unless you are using Powercon connectors as joe public can easily get hold of kettle/extension cables.

 

You would be far better taking speakon or processing(xlr) cables instead.