Sound engineers do a lot of things. Film production companies employ the services of sound engineers to make sound effects for scenes and characters. Sound engineers also help to make video games become more realistic.Â
A lot of things can go wrong while you’re working and Sound engineer insurance can save your business.
This article guides you on what you can expect to pay for insurance, and which are the best companies that can provide the best coverage.Â
Who Will Need Sound Engineer Insurance?
Any business or freelancer providing sound engineering services for any industry needs sound engineer insurance. You are eligible for coverage if you associate yourself with the following businesses:
- Game sound engineers
- Monitor sound engineers
- Systems sound engineers
- Research and development sound engineers
- Recording sound engineers
Sound Engineer Liability Insurance
Insurance companies underwrite liability coverage as a primary protection against lawsuits that clients, partners, and other businesses might file. General liability and professional liability are the two types of sound engineer liability insurance. The sections below explain how each works:Â
General Liability Insurance for Sound EngineersÂ
What if someone at a concert you provided sound engineering services claims the sound was too loud, causing them to have hearing damage?Â
General liability insurance protects you from any financial devastation of all these claims. Use the table to see which insurance company best offers this type of sound business insurance for audio engineers.Â
| CoverWallet | NEXT (Best) | Thimble | The Hartford | |
| Per occurrence limit | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 |
| Aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 |
| Products and completed operations aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Advertising injury coverage aggregate limit | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Tenant’s legal liability coverage limit | $100,000 | $100,000 | $5,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Waiver of subrogation included? | Yes | No | Included | No |
Professional Liability Insurance for Sound EngineersÂ
Professional liability insurance allows you to sort things out easily if a client files a claim for negligence, breach of contract, and violation of fair dealing.
You can use professional liability insurance if you find yourself in the bad side of clients because you:
- Used the wrong tracks for a project
- Provided an output that was haphazardly completed
- Failed to provide an output on time
- Ignored the client’s brief
- Failed to submit tracks on time
| CoverWallet (Best) | NEXT | Thimble | The Hartford | |
| Per occurrence limit | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $2,000,000 |
| Name additional insureds? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Waiver of subrogation included? | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Deductible | $500 | $500 | $500 | $500 |
Commercial Property Insurance for Sound Engineers
This insurance allows you to recover financial losses if the studio gets damaged or destroyed due to fire, theft, vandalism, sprinkler leakage, sinkhole collapse, and other covered perils.
 Use the table above to see which insurance company offers the best commercial property insurance for sound engineers. Â
| CoverWallet | NEXT (Best) | Thimble | The Hartford | |
| Building coverage limit (minimum) | $50,000 | $260,000 | $25,000/$500,000 | $50,000 |
| Contents coverage limit (minimum) | $50,000 | $35,000 | $25,000/$500,000 | $50,000 |
| Outdoor signs | Excluded | $2,500 | Excluded | Excluded |
| Accounts receivable | Excluded | Excluded | $5,000/$10,000 | Excluded |
| Money and securities | Excluded | $2,500 | $1,000 | Excluded |
| Lock and keys | Excluded | $2,500 | Excluded | Excluded |
| Business interruption floater | Excluded | Included | Included | Excluded |
| Equipment breakdown floater | Excluded | Included | Excluded | Excluded |
| Inland marine insurance floater | Excluded | Excluded | $10,000 | Excluded |
| Employee dishonesty floater | Excluded | $5,000 | $2,500 | Excluded |
Get all the best quotes from leading providers in a click of a button!
Tools and Equipment Insurance for Sound EngineersÂ
It applies when you set up your equipment in a venue that is not your business or home premisesÂ
It will cover your loss if computers and other sound equipment got lost or damaged due to theft, vandalism, lightning, fire, and other covered perils while you’re traveling, or working at a client’s studio
| NEXTÂ | Thimble | The Hartford | |
| Aggregate limit | $3,000/$10,000 | $2,500/$5,000 | $5,000-$10,000 |
| Covers hired and borrowed equipment? | $3,000/$10,000 | $2,500/$5,000 | Yes |
| Miscellaneous equipment also covered? | $5,000/$10,000 | No | Yes |
| Offered as an endorsement to general liability insurance? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Deductible | $500 | $500 | $0 |
Workers Compensation Insurance for Sound EngineersÂ
Workers’ compensation insurance is mandated by law if you work with one or more part-time and full-time employees. You can also name yourself as an insured in the terms of this policy. You can use workers’ compensation insurance to cover the expenses for:
- Emergency care
- Hospitalization
- Medication
- Rehabilitation and retraining
- Death benefits
Sound Engineer Insurance Cost
| Cost per Month | Cost per Year | Deductible | |
| General liability insurance | $38 | $456 | $0-$500 |
| Professional liability insurance | $66 | $792 | $500-$1,000 |
| Commercial property insurance | $115 | $1,380 | $1,000-$2,000 |
| Business owner’s policy | $140 | $1,680 | $1,500 |
| Commercial auto insurance | $50 | $600 | $500-$1,000 |
| Workers compensation insurance | $103 | $1,236 | $1,000-$2,500 |
The average insurance cost is $38 per month or $456 per year for a $1 million general liability insurance. Factors that affect the cost of premiums are:
- Location
- Experience
- Annual revenue
- Claims history
- Policy limits
- Deductibles
Help others make better decisions
Best Sound Engineer Insurance Companies
NEXT
NEXT specializes in granting coverage for independent sound engineers and those who own their studios.Â
This company’s sound engineer insurance program offers a general liability policy, professional liability policy, commercial property policy, tools and equipment insurance, and workers compensation insurance. Coverage is offered in partnership with Tivly.
Average cost: $20 per month
Our rating: 10/10
Pros
- Best overall
- Issues an online proof of insurance instantly
- Fastest general liability insurance for sound engineers
- Great customer service and reputation
- Excellent rates
- Outstanding value for money
- Get a 10% discount if you buy two or more policiesÂ
Cons
- Couldn’t find anyÂ
CoverWallet
CoverWallet is an insurance broker that allows you to compare sound engineer insurance quotes with a click of a button. With this company, you can see which insurance carrier offers a great coverage at a reasonable price.
Average cost: $22 per month
Our rating: 10/10
Pros
- Compare insurance quotes online
- Cancel your coverage anytime
- Terrorism coverage can be added to general liability insurance
- Buy a quote online or with the help of a representative
Cons
- Not an insurance company but an insurance broker
The HartfordÂ
It takes pride in its 200 years of experience in protecting small to medium-sized businesses. It has good ratings from AM Best, Moody’s, and S&P.Â
The Hartford doesn’t have a sound engineer insurance package but you can get covered through its recording studio insurance package.Â
Average cost: $25 per month
Our rating: 10/10
Pros
- Number 2 best company for workers compensation insurance
- Can underwrite a political risk coverage for your business
- Highly rated by AM Best, Moody’s, and S&P
- Online quotesÂ
Cons
- Doesn’t grant coverage in Alaska and Hawaii
Get all the best quotes from leading providers in a click of a button!
Tivly
Tivly allows you to compare quotes. In addition, They work with NEXT and other insurance companies to grant you the most comprehensive sound engineer insurance package made.
Average cost: $26 per month
Our rating: 9/10
Pros
- Responsive customer serviceÂ
- A partner of many reputable insurance companiesÂ
Cons
- You need to call to get a quoteÂ
ThimbleÂ
It is an insurance company that grants coverage without asking a lot of questions. Thimble doesn’t have a sound engineer insurance program. Instead, it covers you through its sound recordist insurance package.
Average cost: $36 per month
Our rating: 9/10
Pros
- On-demand coverage
- General liability insurance is available as a short-term policy
- Numerous add-ons can be availed
- Quick to issue an estimate of your rates
Cons
- You can’t reach customer service by callingÂ
