As a DJ, you know that people want to just dance and as the DJ, you want to know that everything is gonna be okay. That’s why finding the right DJ insurance is so important. The best DJ insurance companies sell a policy that will cover your equipment and have limits suitable for your risks while maintaining affordability.
I’ve evaluated the most popular small business insurance companies offering DJ insurance. Using our proprietary rubric, along with comparing DJ insurance quotes, I’ve determined that these are the five best insurers for DJs:
- Next Insurance: Best overall DJ insurance provider
- Simply Business: Best for saving money by comparing quotes
- Insurance Canopy: Best for customized DJ insurance
- Thimble: Best for DJ event insurance
- RVNA: Best for ADJA American Disc Jockey Association members
Insurance designed for small businesses – fast, simple, and affordable |
|
Best DJ Insurance Companies Compared
Quote Process | Accessibility | Financial Rating | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Online | $17 | Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. CT | ✓ | A- (Excellent) |
 | Online | $21 | Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. ET | ✓ | A (Excellent) to A++ (Superior) |
 | Online | $18.50 | Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. ET | ✓ | A+ (Superior) |
 | Online | $33 | Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. ET | ✓ | A- to A (Excellent) |
 | Online | $15 | Monday–Friday, 5:30 a.m.–5 p.m. PT | ✕ | A+ (Superior) |
We used a proprietary evaluation system developed in-house to determine which insurance companies would best suit your needs as a DJ. We examined multiple insurers and presented the five with the highest scores.
In evaluating insurance companies, we focus on the customer’s needs. We pay particular interest to convenience, financial ratings (AM Best), customer service, types of policies offered, and the overall experience as a policyholder with a specific provider.
Next Insurance: Best Overall DJ Insurance Provider
Pros
- Customer complaints are below the national average.
- Savings of up to 25% on DJ insurance.
- You can get a quote in 10 minutes or less.
Cons
- Customer service is unavailable 24/7.
- Coverage availability can vary by state.
Standout Features
- Offers in-house claims services with a commitment to turn claims around quickly
- Allows you to download an iOS or Android app, providing 24/7 access to policy, quotes, and claims
- Provides DJ insurance that includes professional liability with general liability
- Has created tiered coverage options, giving you flexibility when purchasing insurance
Financial rating: Founded in 2015, Next Insurance is relatively new. Nevertheless, it has the financial strength to handle claims, as Next Insurance’s AM Best rating is A- (Excellent).
Not simply because it is the only insurance carrier in this guide, Next Insurance is the best overall provider for DJ insurance because it offers a one-stop shop for quoting, purchasing, maintaining, and handling claims. If you prefer to have one centralized location for handling your policy, a carrier like this is the best bet since it not only sells and services the policy but also resolves claims if and when one is filed. Unfortunately, it does not offer 24/7 call center services.
Next Insurance offers general liability, professional liability, and commercial property coverage for your DJ business. If you have employees, you can also get workers’ comp from this provider.
I received a quote that costs $190.08 annually for general liability only. Alternatively, you can make the first and last month’s payments and then have 10 monthly payments of $15.84. This policy carried limits of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate.
Using Next’s platform is easy: in minutes, you can receive a quote online with the option to purchase. If you would like to speak with an advisor, one is available on weekdays. Once you become a customer, you can use the app to manage your policy, file a claim, and get instant certificates of liability.
Its customers are happy with their user experience. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) tracks complaints filed with each state’s department of insurance, and Next has received lower-than-average complaints. On Next Insurance’s reviews page,[1] policyholders and potential customers can leave feedback. The provider has more than 3,500 reviews, with an average rating of 4.5 out of 5.
Simply Business: Best for Saving Money by Comparing Quotes
Pros
- You can get quotes in just minutes.
- Same-day coverage is available online.
- You can save money by comparing quotes.
Cons
- It does not handle any claims directly.
- Customer service is not available 24/7.
- Some coverages may not be available.
Standout Features
- Lets you compare quotes from multiple carriers simultaneously
- Enables you to purchase a policy online without speaking to anyone, or you can call and get advice from a dedicated agent
- Works with top-rated carriers like biBERK, CNA, and Markel
- Allows you to adjust limits on quotes in real time and receive an updated quote
Financial rating: In addition to working with multiple top-rated carriers, Simply Business is owned by Travelers, and AM Best rated Travelers an A++ (Superior).
For solopreneur DJs, the online marketplace Simply Business is a great way to find affordable insurance. The broker’s intuitive, easy-to-use quoting system generates quotes from top-rated providers, giving you the freedom to pick the one that’s best for your company and then purchase it online or call to speak with a dedicated agent.
As a broker, Simply Business does not handle its own claims—you must work directly through the carrier if you receive one. If you prefer to just work with a carrier directly, Next Insurance is the only provider on this list with its own in-house claims team.
I received three DJ insurance quotes for general liability from Simply Business.
- Harborway Insurance: $15.15 per month
- RLI: $18.33 per month
- Hiscox: $29.16 per month
These quotes carried the same limits of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate. Each one required several months of coverage as a down payment.
These quotes show how working with a broker can help you save money. Each option carries the same coverage, but one costs almost double monthly.
Simply Business allows you to purchase policies online or over the phone and is available in all 50 states. Through your account, you have 24/7 access to your policy documents and can request a COI.
Because it is not an insurance provider, Simply Business does not have a report with the NAIC. However, on the independent rating site Trustpilot,[2] Simply Business has received high user marks. It has 4.6 out of 5 stars from over 1,200 reviews.
Insurance Canopy: Best for Customized DJ Insurance
Pros
- DJ insurance is available in all 50 states.
- Short-term event coverage is available.
- You can get an instant COI online.
Cons
- Customer service is unavailable 24/7.
- It prefills some answers in the quote process.
- It does not offer insurance in Missouri
Standout Features
- Has a policy package for DJs, making it easy to get fast coverage in 10 minutes or less that is customized for your business
- Provides event liability coverage for one to three days starting at $59
- Offers insurance for DJs, karaoke jockeys (KJs), and video jockeys (VJs), with the basic policy starting at $16 monthly or $192 annually
- Lists exclusions before purchasing, giving you a good idea of what is and is not covered
Financial rating: Insurance Canopy is a brokerage, and Great American Insurance Group (GAIG) underwrites this specific policy. AM Best’s rating of GAIG is A+ (Superior).
Insurance Canopy is our recommendation for the best insurer of customized DJ insurance because it offers a customized base liability policy with high limits at an affordable rate. From there, you can determine what additional coverage you may need, like equipment coverage.
For liability and property insurance, I received a quote for $21 monthly with an additional one-time payment of $24.50, which is the lowest quote provided by any company in this guide for the amount of coverage offered. The liability policy carried a $1 million occurrence and a $2 million aggregate limit. It also carried equipment coverage of $5,000 per occurrence and $10,000 aggregate.
Insurance Canopy is licensed to sell insurance in all 50 states.
The quote process is quick and straightforward, taking less than 10 minutes. Once you purchase a policy, you have 24/7 access to all your policy documents. You can manage your policy, create and download a COI, and file a claim through your online account.
Thimble Insurance: Best for DJ Event Insurance
Pros
- It specializes in short-term liability insurance.
- You can get a quote in 60 seconds.
- You can purchase same-day coverage online.
Cons
- A third party handles claims.
- There is no 24/7 line.
- It can be difficult to reach anyone by phone.
Standout Features
-
- Sells liability policies that can be purchased by the hour, day, week, and month, making it an excellent option for special events or last-minute insurance
- Combines equipment coverage with general liability
- Has iOS and Android apps for getting a quote, purchasing a policy, filing a claim, or contacting Thimble
- It lets you create and share unlimited COIs for event venues through the app.
Financial Rating: Thimble’s policies are provided through several different carriers. The quoted DJ policy below is through the National Specialty Insurance Company (NSIC). NSIC’s AM Best rating is A (Excellent).
Thimble is the best provider for DJ event insurance, or for those who DJ as a side hustle, because it offers short-term coverage, including hourly coverage. If you have a DJ gig once or twice a month and do not need 24/7 coverage, then this is your best option. Alternatively, you could use the event coverage for any special events you DJ.
When starting the quote process, Thimble will ask if you are seeking short-term liability or a monthly or annual policy. Coverage for your tools and equipment is only available if you proceed with a monthly or annual policy.
I received a DJ insurance quote for 48 hours for DJ event insurance that began immediately and ended the next day. It cost $52.42 and carried general liability and professional liability, both of which had a separate limit of $1 million.
General liability, professional liability, business equipment protection, and business owner’s policies (BOPs) are available in all 50 states. Thimble’s complaints are lower than the national average, and its user interface is convenient for customers.
RVNA: Best for ADJA Members
Pros
- You can quickly get quotes.
- It has online account maintenance.
- It is available nationwide.
Cons
- It has weekday-only hours for claims.
- It has no mobile app.
Standout Features
- Offers liability coverage plus gear, equipment, and employee crime insurance
- Has affordable policies for DJs, KJs, and VJs
- Offers online DJ insurance quotes and instant and unlimited COIs
- Has years of experience in the specialty insurance market
Financial rating: RVNA is a brokerage, and the policies it offers to DJs are provided by carriers rated A+. The only carrier it lists is Allianz, and AM Best rated Allianz an A+ (Superior).
RVNA is a nationwide brokerage endorsed by the ADJA and the Karaoke Industry Alliance of America (KIAA). If you are a member of either association, then you receive a discount on your insurance, making this the best option for you.
The broker operates similarly to Insurance Canopy. It offers a program with selected coverage to fit the industry and a straightforward way to purchase the policy. However, RVNA is costlier and offers different coverages than Insurance Canopy, so it is a good idea to see which one is a better fit for your specific business.
I received a quote online for $361.76 annually. It carried general liability with a limit of $1 million per occurrence, $2 million aggregate, and $6,000 in coverage for gear. It also had $1,000 in coverage for your music library. The first-party coverages had a $500 deductible.
The DJ insurance quote process is fairly straightforward and simple. Interestingly, RVNA was the first insurance provider to create an online quote system. A guy named Rob (the R in RVNA) actually wrote the program in the 1990s.
You can manage your policy and create free and unlimited COIs online. However, if you have a claim, you will need to call during its weekday hours.
RVNA has high ratings from users on WalletHub,[3] where it has earned nearly 5 stars from over 400 reviews.
DJ Insurance on Reddit
I checked the popular online forum Reddit to see what people are saying about finding the best DJ insurance companies. The most recent information was 10 months old. Some of the suggested companies from the commenters, like Insurance Canopy, are on the list.
One Redditor suggested that readers join N.A.M.E., which gives them access to its liability policy. A one-year membership at N.A.M.E. costs $175.
Surprisingly, there was a suggestion to risk committing insurance fraud by not purchasing DJ insurance, and if something happens to your gear, claim it on your homeowner’s policy and not inform the insurer that you are a DJ. This advice is problematic for several reasons. First of all, insurance fraud is a crime. And in this scenario, it would be fairly easy to uncover.
As a former claims adjuster, I find the questioning straightforward.
- Why do you have expensive DJ equipment in your house? Are you a DJ?
- If I Google search your name with DJ, will I find a way to hire your services as a DJ?
These are normal questions any adjuster would ask.
Another problem with taking advice like this found on Reddit is that it doesn’t address the issue of liability. If you are a DJ at a private event space and someone trips on your equipment and is injured, you will have a hard time getting your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance to cover that liability exposure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
DJs need liability insurance and property insurance. Liability insurance helps protect you from claims of negligence by your operation. The property insurance covers your equipment, including DJ decks.
Yes. Any time a DJ works at a venue or in another business, that business can request a certificate of insurance (COI), which is a one-page document that lists your coverage.
DJ insurance can cost anywhere from $150 to over $700 annually for liability. However, most insurers run on the lower end, which is around $15 to $25 a month.
If your setup isn’t clearly marked—or even if it is—and a dancer wanders back where they shouldn’t, trips on a wire, and gets hurt, your business could be held liable for any injuries the customer sustains from their fall. In other words, lots of different things could go wrong, and those could lead to your business filing a claim.
Bottom Line
Your music provides the soundtrack to important events in people’s lives. Therefore, it’s imperative to have the right insurance so that you can focus on enriching and entertaining others. I’ve researched several insurers to find the best DJ insurance companies to protect your equipment and reputation.
Next Insurance is the best overall insurance provider for DJs. Head over to its website today to get a free quote and buy an affordable policy in just a few minutes.
User rating references:
[1]Next Insurance
[2]Trustpilot | Simply Business
[3]WalletHub | RVNA
