D.J Motor Insurance Info & links

[ChrisPointon 0]

It's a well known fact that all Motor insurers regard any customer involved in "Entertainment" as a high risk, regardless of your age, driving experience and present No claims bonus. You could be the safest driver in the world, yet inform them of your Weekend occupation, and expect that £200 policy to increase to double or treble overnight! :o . Hardly surprising, then, that a recent survey for a D.J publication, found that 9 out of 10 Mobile D.J's are using their vehicles with a standard motor policy and half of them were not even insured for business use!. They are doing themselves no favours but neither are the insurance companies.

 

Perhaps these companies should spend some time actually studying a working to D.J to find that most D.J's will actually go out of their way to drive MORE safety when carrying their £12,000 lightshow - certainly it would not be in their interest's to smash it up.

 

Most D.J's also have a seperate insurance policy for their D.J gear, in which case should the gear be stolen "In Transit" then the cost of replacement would be claimed back off the Equipment Policy and NOT the vehicle policy.

 

Most Insurers argue that your vehicle stands more chance of getting broken into when containing expensive equipment. In my opinion anybody who leaves £10k of equipment in view and unattended in a vehicle for long periods of time shouldn't be allowed to have a driving licence in the first place :P and besides this would apply to any industry - what about the computer network installer who leaves 20k of computer equipment in his / her van?? - so why are D.J's being penalised??.

 

Well, the old idea of D.J's being high on Drugs, and drinking 10 pints of Lager before driving home in their diesel transit's at 100 mph still seems to be the attitude of the insurance companies. However, a self employed D.J would certainly not risk his / her licence (and business / income) on Drink Driving. I've worked with a lot of D.J's and I've never yet seen them drink anything stronger than a Britvic Orange http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif .

 

Certainly in my mind, a 17 Year old trainee plumber driving his employers van down the motorway would be a higher risk than a 40 Year Old D.J driving his own van containing his expensive hard earned gear to run his own business!. But I wonder how many of these insurers have actually attended a Disco??.

 

There are ways that you can prevent theft of your gear, and some that are just common sense. Some may also reduce your premium.

 

(1) Buy a vehicle with good locks and make sure that it is left locked - even when paying for fuel

 

(2) Have a good alarm system / immobiliser fitted. Thatcham cat 1 systems may also get you a discount from your insurer. If you have a newish van consider a tracking system

 

(3) Don't have the van signwritten - it tells thieves exactly what is in the van, and may lead to a break in even when the van is unloaded.

 

(4) Only keep the vehicle loaded when you are going to / coming from a gig, don't use your van as a place to store your gear :)

 

(5) Use mirror or tinted Window film on any windows which allow passers by to see into your van. Add a small "No tools or equipment are left in this vehicle" message on one of the rear doors. Using cheap peel off vinyl lettering will not damage your paintwork or the re-sale value!. Most signwriters will do this for you.

 

(6) If you vehicle is left on your driveway - consider a cheap external CCTV camera (£24 B&Q - £16 Makro) this will deter theft and may also reduce your house premium. A Floodlight with P.I.R is also a good idea on your driveway or Garage.

 

(7) Inform your house insurer that you are keeping Additional Audio / Lighting equipment in your house / garage, you may find that cover will be added for very little cost against theft whilst the gear is in storage!.

 

(8) If you have an house alarm, add an RF sensor to it. This consists of a battery powered P.I.R type sensor (Which you can just place in the vehicle when parked at home) and a receiver which fits into an empty zone on your alarm panel. If the vehicle is broken into the house alarm sounds! - simple!. These have a range of around 100 Feet, are legal and very effective!. Cost - £50

 

(9) Write your house number and postcode on each piece of equipment in invisible U.V pen. (If you use UV Lighting - mark the underside of the gear!)

 

Most of these tips will not reduce your premium, but they will reduce your need to make a claim and add to peace of mind!.

 

Having just phoned around virtually every insurer, I have found that it's actually cheaper to insure a 21 Year old clerk with 2 years no claims on a 1.9GTI, than it is to insure a 35 Year old D.J with full no claims on a 1.9D Diesel Berlingo. Hmmmm Draw you own conclusions!. It is also actually far easier to find insurers to insure a novice 17 year old driver than to insure a D.J or Entertainer!.

 

Very few will actually insure you - full stop, the ones that will are listed below, and offer competitive rates.

 

Car & Van Insurance

 

MotorQuote Direct Competitive Car & Van Insurance Broker. Enter your details for the top 3 quotes from our comprehensive panel of insurers.

 

Auto Quote Direct - Auto Quote Direct promise to be the Most Competitive Insurance - or your money back!

 

Cornhill Direct - Great Value Car and Home Insurance

 

Its 4 Me Insurance - Searches all major insurance companies in one go to find you the cheapest quotation. Buy Online!, Instant printable Insurance Certificate!.

 

 

Interesting to see that the RAC Telesales wanted to know what a "D.J" was http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/laugh.gif and Norwich Union actually state in their terms and conditions that any driver "Should not be associated with the Entertainment Industry". So don't even bother with those!.

 

Many insurers also state that the insured shall not have more than one occupation, so if you have a full time job AND run a Disco, be sure to check the terms before spending time filling in their quote forms :P

 

For any premium to be increased by almost four times, just because of the fact that you entertain people - is purely a rip off. If you have found any insurer who will offer a reasonable premium then please post the details below . B)

[mikeee 0]

Don't knock Norwich Union they were the only company that would insure me a professional mobile disco, carring equipment

 

Regards

Mike

[westsideproductions 0]

need liability insurance on over 7K worth of equipment and music. only thing I found so far is from ADJA website and thats about 500.00 per year.

 

does this sound typical?

 

if you have any suggestions about Michigan insurance coverage or USA coverage companies please email me

 

mobile@westsideproductions.com

 

thanks

 

[mikeee 0]

HI WSP,

I don't think an american company would insure us brits. I did, a few years ago, look into this, with Glen Miller and Sid Vanderpool at DJ Chat, very difficult insuring accross the water

[YourBigEvent 0]

Try this Website for your insurance needs. I pay (I think) about £250 to £300 for PLI to £1m

(they will not increase to £5m) AND all my gear insured (£8k) including in transit and situ.

 

Hope this helps

 

Andy

 

[The Spindoctor 0]

Again most companies EXCLUDE Cd's mini discs and vinyl, equipment is fine but try for anything irreplaceable and they don't want to know

[cavalierroadshow 0]

have you tried the CIS igot a great deal on my volkswagon transporter

also cornhill will quote

[kazzachi 0]

Spot on advice from chris! If you DJ for a living, have you encountered problems getting a mortgage - life insurance etc.... Many companies do not know how to categorise us and sometimes put us down as "manual labour" which puts us at a "higher risk" occupation! DJ-ing professionally is a grey area to many insurers.... hence the need for some sort of union as many of us are crying out for!

[YourBigEvent 0]

Excately Karen, even trying to insure a second car which will not, never has, and will never at all go to a disco is hard enough

Mention mortgage, or any other insurance and get your cheque book out !

 

[djsounds 0]

We have just come across the same problem, my father tried to get insurance on an Escort van.

For him only as a second vehicle (he already has full NCB on his car) but the van would be without any NCB £350 TPFT for SDP use only.

For him & his wife (both have cars on full NCB & will be keeping them) £310 TPFT for SD&P use only.

To include me as unemployed or as a student £750 TPFT for SD&P.

To include me as an unemployed DJ £1300 TPFT for SD&P.

To include me as a self employed DJ £2000 TPFT for SD&P.

When asked why the big difference they said “as a DJ the vehicle would be left unattended for long times outside pubs & clubs with expensive equipment in side.”

When he pointed out the fact that if the vehicle was outside a pub or club the equipment would be inside with me.

They then tried to say “when the vehicle was parked on the road at home it could be broken into & the equipment stolen.” It was then pointed out that when the equipment wasn’t in transit or in use it would be stored in the house not left in the van over night.

There next trick was to say “Ah what about if the equipment was damaged or stolen while in transit” this was where he pointed out the fact that I have a separate insurance that covers the equipment against accidental damage or theft including whilst being in the vehicle.

There last shot was to say “that being a mobile DJ I would be in pubs & clubs & there is always the chance I could drink & drive over the limit, & with the vehicle parked out side it would stand a grater chance of getting vandalised”

At this point my father pointed out that he was asking for the van to be insured for SD&P and surly if his son (ME) was using it to carry equipment to & from a venue surly he would be using it for business purposes?

They had no answer to that apart from asking if he would like to take them up on their offer, I think you can guess the answer.

 

He did come up with an idea, don’t know if this would work or not !

How about if he insures the van for himself & wife as delivery drivers, then they could deliver me & the equipment to gigs (this would work out a lot cheaper) but it wouldn’t give me my independence.

 

Or as he said he could insure it for SD&P Social Domestic & Pleasure only and still take me to the gigs.

Because as he says he would be able to use the van for Domestic use all week i.e. taking rubbish to the dump. He could use it weekends to take me & the kit to Social gatherings & he would get a lot of pleasure from doing it.

Edited December 1, 2003 by djsounds

[ChrisPointon 0]

Hi,

 

This is always going to be a problem for D.J's especially younger ones who probably pay 3 times for the same cover due to their age and driving inexperience without being a D.J as well!.

 

For me, in this area, a VW TDI Van would cost be around £290 fully Comp for SD&P. Declare the fact that I'm a D.J and involved in the Sound & Lighting industry and I pay just over twice that. Do we use different roads to everybody else, and does it make me any less of an experienced Driver?? (12 Years No claims & no points).

 

What it comes down to, whether they admit it or not is that the insurance companies are ripping us off http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/188.gif . I personally don't see any more of a risk letting a 17 year old trainee plumber bomb down the Motorway in his Employers Astramax Van - than a D.J of the same age borrowing his fathers Transit for a 5 mile Journey to a "gig" yet you will see large differences in their premiums!. Gone are the Days of Entertainers drinking and driving - nowadays those responsible for that are usually CEO's on their way home from the Local Masonic Lodge Dinner Dance in their £40k Petrol Guzzers - I see it all of the time http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/rolleyes.gif .

 

Yes, it would be cheaper to insure a vehicle for S,D&P and take a risk. However if you were involved in anything more than a shunt (i.e where the police were involved) then if your vehicle was towed away from the scene and impounded by the insurance company pending examination, then you may have a bit of explaining to do about the 1 ton of Disco gear found in the back! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/scared.gif . Insurance companies will wriggle like Maggots to get out of paying any claim, even the ones they are obliged to, so give them a nice fat excuse like that and you'll find yourself with your insurance cover revoked, and probably end up being taken to court by any other party involved to recover their damages, and Possibly a police charge for driving without insurance.

 

I drove on my Father's insurance until I was 19, and then began to earn my own NCB. However when he passed away and I was looking through his paperwork I found to my horror, during my early driving years, that my Vehicle was only insured for SD&P - no doubt that he had done what your own father is now considering. Thankfully I never had an accident during this time, but I would hate to think what could have happened.

 

There are pro's and cons to what you are considering, and I don't blame you, and until you ever need to claim then insurance is just an expensive piece of paper which enables you to get a tax disc http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/rolleyes.gif . However should you ever be in an accident and a police note made of the goods carried then your insurer would want to know why a Van insured for SD&P was carrying goods - regardless of what goods they were!.

 

You could insure it for another (cheaper) trade, however there are also risks involved with any goods inside found not to be related to the trade its insured for, or if your insurer asks for proof of your occupation (Some larger companies DO!) such as a recent trade invoice or a letter head, Company Reg No etc.

 

Also to be a "delivery driver" I would imagine that that the http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/censored.gif would make you take out additional goods in transit insurance.

 

BTW:- It's worth noting that insurers now share information with each other on an open network - just a warning in case you do try something to bend the rules!.

[Dj_Kray 0]

I have been told that its dearer not coz im a dj but because my car will be parked on licenced premises and that even my club work would raise my insurance when i dont take any gear. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/533.gif

[Eskie 0]

Any updates on this?

Has anybody found an insurer that will quote a reasonable amount for motor insurance to include dj eqpt?

[ChrisPointon 0]

QUOTE (Eskie @ Dec 27 2003, 01:30 PM)

Any updates on this? Has anybody found an insurer that will quote a reasonable amount for motor insurance to include dj eqpt?

Don't be tempted to try ESURE, although there is a slightly amusing story about ESURE and their policy on not insuring those working in Entertainment HERE

 

 

Insurers I found who will consider entertainers, on their driving history / location are listed below.....there aren't many http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/wallbash.gif

 

Graham Sykes

 

NODA

 

BAXTERS

 

Tradex

 

Let me know if you manage to get a realistic quote.

[tntdisco 0]

This is an interesting thread, for the past 10 years i have only been insured SDP while transporting my gear to discos. It is not a profession, its a hobby. It is not my job, its a hobby. Therefore as a hobby i regarded it as Pleasure.

 

However this year on renewing my car insurance via my broker i enquired how much extra it cost to alter it to include business us. To my suprise it was on a around £40 more - so i did it. At no time did they ask for what business it would be used in - so i didn't think to tell them.

 

Maybe after reading this thread i should ring my insurers and check the the DJ business is acceptable :-(

[ChrisPointon 0]

I don't blame anybody for trying to get "one over" on their insurance company, their industry is a licence to print money, and bet your life they'll find every which way to get out of paying whats due to you, given the opportunity http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/rolleyes.gif . However I can't be seen to condone it on here http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/wallbash.gif .

 

Certainly having SD&P insurance is better than having no insurance at all, and having non stated business cover is better than just having SD&P http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif . However, if you ever did need to claim, then there would only be one loser if it was found that you were economical with the facts, and that loser would be you as the insured http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/sad.gif . The irony is that it may be discovered even if you weren't at fault, or the cause of the accident. If somebody else hit your vehicle and you claimed from them, then their insurers may discover the "error" in your details and use it as an excuse. Insurers have a nice big online database, these days under the guise of combatting insurance fraud!, where they all willingly pass info to each other.

[Tonsk 0]

Has anybody tried the "I'm a sound and lighting technician?" to get cheaper insurance?

 

Technically we all are - We all rig up sound systems, do sound checks, rig up lights etc.. Would explain why there is the equipment in the car/van....

 

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

[SyC 0]

I work for an Insurance Company, I spent a great amount of time developing and tailoring their Motor Quotes system.

 

As Chris quite correctly pointed out, there are a number of checks that Insurance companies make "real time" when they are considering new business or at renewal. If you get a "black" mark against you then you will struggle to get insurance from any provider.

 

As for occupation, I know from the experience I have with my company that your occupation has little impact on the overall rating of your insurance. Only if you put an occupation such as "Actor" or "Taxi Driver" would that be investigated further.

 

The occupation of "DJ" is likely to attract a higher premium with some companies as they will add an additional rating based on the fact that you might, even if you say you are not, use the vehicle for business purposes and it is more likely to be left in a high risk area.

 

Thats just the sort of assumption that I can make! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/huh.gif

Edited February 2, 2004 by SyC

[kazzachi 0]

As far as I know, when you say "dj" there is not a certain group for us.. last category I was put under was "manual labour"!!!! But I am talking yonks ago.

 

Have any of you tried asking for "goods in transit" insurance? Syc.. perhaps you could help us out here cos I only use my vehicle to get to and from gigs... and for transporting the equipment... I dont use my vehicle to carry out my business.... Trouble with insurance companies, is that if we dont fall into one of their tickable boxes, we have a hard time!

[SyC 0]

Usually the list of occupations available for selection is determined by the ABI (Association of British Insurers) some insurers may use less or more depending on how complex there rating sequence is.

 

In the system that I helped write the occupation was not significantly used to rate a vehicle therefore providing the vehicle was the same the occupation did not matter all that much unless it was one of the selected "High Risk" ones or "Farmer" who would get a discount.

 

I'm not to aware of the ins and outs of commerical insurance therefore I can't say more than the above. If someone were to put together a list of questions then I am sure I can find someone who can answer them.

 

My knowledge of this area is a little to vague to be offering advice! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/sad.gif

[kathyshack 0]

i was made redundant a few months ago and during this time, my new car insurance quaote came through. when i rang up to renue it they asked all the usual questions, one of which has your occupation changed. I told them i had just been made redundant and they upped my insurance by £80!!!

Can you believe that? I had been commuting to Manchester every day - some 40 or 50 miles a day and then all of a sudden i was hardly driving my car, was therefore less likely to have an accident etc and they charged me £80 more!!!

 

i so hate insurance companies! Mind you i have just had my car broken into from bolton train station today and friday. Becasue of this, and the fact that the garage hasn't fixed it yet, they are trying to make me pay two sets of excess in case any more damage was done to the locks. I told em that the locks were buggered anyway, but they don't seem to believe me!!!

 

This is the cost you pay when you're honest! I'd stick to the using car for Social and domestic use if i were you..... http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/188.gif

 

http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/censored.gif http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/censored.gif http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/censored.gif http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/censored.gif http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/oops.gif http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/wallbash.gif

[YourBigEvent 0]

QUOTE

I'd stick to the using car for Social and domestic use if i were you

 

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

 

Surely it is worth the extra just to be sure you are fully covered ?

[High Fidelity 0]

Maybe it is a DJ thing. I use my car at work for travelling to and from sites, plus carrying computers etc. My insurance company only charged me £10 more to include business use.

 

Mind you, I haven't mentioned the DJ bit yet. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/fear.gif

[ChrisPointon 0]

Another Motor insurer who will insure D.J's at "Reasonable" Rates:-

 

 

Bryan James & Co - 020 8754 8754

 

 

Feedback:- if you try one of these suggested insurers and get a reasonable quote, can you please post the details, in order to help others http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif . If you find an insurer not already listed who has given you a good quote on insurance - don't keep it to yourself!!!.

 

[Melody_Roadshow 0]

Hi ppl hope your all well i've been under the weather so not been around.

 

My day job is also in insurance and sorry to contradict chris but you will find Norwich Union one of the best insurers for our line of work...

 

No I dont work for them!!

 

N.B. Guys & Dolls who use a trailer, and have not declaired real use, need class 2 insurance or when you are towing your disco YOU ARE NOT INSURED AT ALL - (I use the term real use because just about every SDP policy will cover towing a trailer not connected with business use)

 

Any questions Let us know http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/042.gif