Issues happen, unfortunately, and for us San Diego wedding DJs, as well as other wedding DJs in the world, they can mean the difference between a great reception and a failed reception. Avoiding a disaster can be as simple as adding a few extra minutes to your travel time just in case you have to trace down a cable to find out why a channel is out, or search through some wireless UHF bands to find a noise-free frequency for your wireless mic so that the wedding party toasts are crystal clear.

For a change, I'm going to write this article as though it is to the DJ you are choosing to hire. This will give you, the bride and/or groom, a better understanding of how a professional DJ should view the importance of protecting their equipment.

There are other disasters that are simply unavoidable: natural disasters, the sometimes inexplicable things that party guests might do, and those times when we just plain fall prey to human error and miss something. They’re impossible to predict, yet could relieve you of your equipment, music, and even your reputation (yes, just think of how upset that bride and groom are going to be when you call and tell them you have no equipment and can’t perform) just as surely as any thief. That’s why a wise DJ has insurance.

DJ Insurance = Business Assurance

Some DJs are operating under the mistaken assumption that if something is stolen from their vehicle or trashed in an accident, their homeowner’s insurance will cover it. WRONG! With very few exceptions, your commercial gear is specifically excluded. Some automotive insurers may offer a “rider” on your policy, but that only covers your gear when you’re in transit. At the hall, or loading in between, you’re on your own. It’s best to get a DJ-specific policy.

There are basically two types of insurance: liability and equipment coverage. Liability covers actions: if you trash the doorjamb at a venue with a road case, or if a client trips over a speaker cord and is injured, etc. In today’s litigious society, running without such a policy is extremely risky. In fact, some venues won’t let you work on their premises unless you can show them a certificate of insurance!

Equipment insurance will cover the loss of your gear and even music, due to everything from a lightning strike or fire at a venue to an accident on the way to the gig. It can also provide coverage if you store your gear in a van or trailer. Rental gear that you may be using to satisfy impending contracts can also be included. While there are some limitations and hassles, such as having to provide (and keep updated) lists of your specific gear, it can mean the difference between survival and going out of business when things go wrong.

Great, so we’re all agreed that insurance is essential. The next question becomes, “Where do I get it?” As an experiment, I tried calling various insurance companies in my area to see if I could gather together a few quotes. Some sounded as if I’d called and asked them the meaning of life! Both Allstate and State Farm politely took down my name and number and promised to call me back, but two months later I have yet to hear from them. Prudential, Farmer’s Group, and some others do seem to have a commercial insurance division, but details were hazy and costs seemed more suited to a Fortune 500 company. In the end, I got no real, hard quotes from traditional insurers.

Group Hug!

Fear not, responsible DJ! Like many professions, we mobile entertainers have trade associations, such as the American Disc Jockey Association (ADJA) and if you’re a Wedding DJ in San Diego, the San Diego DJ Association (SDDJA) as well. One of the benefits they offer is access to good, low-cost insurance. Both groups are backed by reputable companies, and costs are no more than $50 apart between the two. Equipment coverage is usually based on a percentage of the total overall value. They will also provide as many certificates of insurance as needed for those venues that require them. For weddings in particular, most respectable venues require performers to have insurance anyway, so if you don’t have it, you need to get it or else you’ll be ostracized from some of the best venues in the area.

Speaking of prices, the basic liability policy can be as little as $125, and equipment coverage as little as 1% of its total value. When you consider that you can write it all off as a business expense, there’s no good reason not to give yourself, your clients and the halls you’re working in the peace of mind that good insurance provides, and the very real help you’ll need, should disaster strike.

Good Locks Make Good Neighbors

Whatever type of equipment coverage you might have, or wherever your equipment is stored, all policies will require you to secure your gear against theft. So I’ll wrap up this installment with a word about locks.

For those of you with a good commercial grade padlock can be had for less than $25. I have seen many with a disc-shaped lock that doesn’t show any of the hasp when installed. This prevents a thief from using a bolt cutter on it. However, this exposes the bolts that actually hold the hasp onto the door, and a good thief can simply remove those bolts and have access to your entire wedding DJ equipment. Thus, I recommend a Blaylock Model DL-80 Cargo Trailer Door Lock. Here’s a picture of one installed on my trailer. As you can see, it covers bolts and all, so a thief has no weak areas to attack.

And, last but not least, don’t forget the locking gas cap. With the cost of gas being what it is, and the fact that we DJs tend to drive larger trucks and vans with a greater capacity, we’re prime targets for gas pilferers!

So now that our gear, music, and vehicles are secure, stay tuned for an article about how to cover the final part of the equation: protecting YOU!

In the meantime, if you have any comments, ideas or suggestions, please leave them.