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Sound Engineer Insurance: Cost & Quotes From $11/mo

Sound engineers do a lot of things. In concerts, these professionals see to it that the sound is delivered to all audiences in a loud, clear, and safe manner. Film production companies also 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.

A lot of things can go wrong while you’re working. For example, a person you’re working with might get electrocuted by defective audio equipment purchased from the music shop. Someone might sue you for copyright infringement after using sound elements for an app or game without proper attribution to the original source. Moreover, you can be held responsible if the output you provided doesn’t meet expectations.

Sound engineer insurance can save your business Read this guide to know the inclusions, what you can expect to pay for insurance, and which are the best companies that can provide the best coverage.

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: 


General Liability Insurance for Sound Engineers 


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?YesNoIncludedNo


Another sound engineer may claim your work sounds similar to what they produced, breaching copyright laws. What if someone at a concert you provided sound engineering services for claims the sound was too loud, causing them to have hearing damage? 

You will be protected from any financial devastation of all these claims if you have general liability insurance. Use the table above to see which insurance company best offers this type of sound business insurance for audio engineers. 


What Costs Does General Liability Insurance Cover?

Insurance companies design the general liability insurance for sound engineers to cover the following costs:

  • Medical treatment of the claimant

  • Reimbursement for the damaged property of the claimant

  • Legal defense expenses

  • Court judgments


I’m a Sound Engineer of a Famous Musician. Can General Liability Insurance Help if I Get Sued for Accidentally Leaking Information of a New Album or Record?

Yes. General liability insurance can apply, provided that the disclosure of your client’s new album or record resulted in reputational harm. You can also use this policy to cover claims for slander or libel. 


What Can I Use as an Alternative if I Can’t Get General Liability Insurance?

In case you can’t get general liability insurance, go for a sound engineer public liability insurance. This will also cover your liability for bodily injuries or property damage. Coverage might not apply on claims for slander, libel, and copyright infringement. Nonetheless, there might be endorsements to public liability insurance that address this gap.


Professional Liability Insurance for Sound Engineers 


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?YesYesYesYes
Waiver of subrogation included?YesNoYesNo
Deductible $500$500$500$500


Professional liability insurance allows you to sort things out easily if a client files a claim for negligence, breach of contract, violation of fair dealing, violation of good faith, and other related offenses. Use the table above to see which insurance company offers the best professional liability insurance for sound engineers. 


In What Situations Can You Use Professional Liability Insurance as a Sound Engineer?

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

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Commercial Property Insurance for Sound Engineers 


CoverWalletNEXT (Best)ThimbleThe 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 signsExcluded$2,500ExcludedExcluded
Accounts receivable ExcludedExcluded$5,000/$10,000Excluded
Money and securitiesExcluded$2,500$1,000Excluded
Lock and keys Excluded$2,500ExcludedExcluded
Business interruption floaterExcludedIncludedIncludedExcluded
Equipment breakdown floaterExcludedIncludedExcludedExcluded
Inland marine insurance floaterExcludedExcluded$10,000Excluded
Employee dishonesty floaterExcluded$5,000$2,500Excluded


You want to include a commercial property policy in your sound engineer insurance package if you own a studio located at an owned or rented commercial condo, apartment, stand-alone building, or any other space. 

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. 


Does Commercial Property Insurance Cover the Sound Equipment in My Studio?

Yes. Insurance companies include a contents coverage in commercial property insurance. In other words, the policy can cover the cost of computers, microphones, mixers, audio interface, studio monitors, speakers, pop filters, and others. Coverage will only apply if these got destroyed or damaged by a covered peril while in the studio’s premises. 


Does Commercial Property Insurance Cover the Value of Digital Audio Workstations?

Commercial property insurance is designed to only cover the value of tangible business properties. In other words, you can’t use this policy to recover the value of lost or corrupted digital audio workstations, such as Ableton, Image-Line FL studio, Apple Logic Pro, Steinberg Cubase, etc. 


Business Owners Policy for Sound Engineers 


CoverWalletNEXT (Best)Thimble HiscoxThe Hartford
General liability aggregate limit $2,000,000$1,000,000/$2,000,000$1,000,000/$2,000,000$300,000/$2,000,000$1,000,000/$2,000,000
Commercial property coverage limit $50,000$260,000$25,000/$500,000$25,000$50,000
Optional policies can be added?YesYesYesYesYes
Name additional insureds for free?YesYesYesYesYes
BOP discount?YesYesYesYesYes


Businesses and freelancers that provide sound engineering services for many different industries can benefit from a business owner’s policy because of this all-inclusive business policy that bundles all the insurance you need. 

By default, a business owner’s policy combines general liability and commercial property insurance. However, this can be customized by further adding professional liability, hired/non-owned auto liability, and other policies. Use the table above to see which insurance company offers the best business owner’s policy for sound engineers. 


Tools and Equipment Insurance for Sound Engineers 


NEXT ThimbleThe 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/$5,000Yes
Miscellaneous equipment also covered?$5,000/$10,000NoYes
Offered as an endorsement to general liability insurance?YesYesYes
Deductible$500$500$0


Some insurances already cover your sound equipment if it is stolen or damaged. For example, if you keep your gear on your home or business premises, home insurance, business owner’s policy, or commercial property insurance may cover the loss of your equipment. 

But is it insured when you set up your equipment in a venue that is not your business or home premises? No, you can’t recover costs if the equipment is damaged or lost outside your home or business borders. That's when tools and equipment insurance becomes important. 

Tools and equipment insurance 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, working at a client’s studio, or simply taking a break at your favorite coffee shop. 


Commercial Auto Insurance for Sound Engineers 

Suppose you are a sound engineer that travels from venue to venue to provide your services. In that case, personal auto insurance usually doesn't provide coverage for situations like transporting tools, equipment, or supplies when traveling between job sites. For business-related activities, you will need a commercial auto policy.

Now, if you want to use your personal vehicle to transport your equipment, the good news is that you can get short-term commercial auto insurance. Depending on how long you need for that sort of coverage, whether for one hour or up to a few days, temporary commercial auto insurance is versatile for your needs.


Workers Compensation Insurance for Sound Engineers

Hearing loss is a common injury among sound engineers. But so is eye strain and musculoskeletal injuries. You can cover the cost of work-related injuries or illnesses by purchasing workers' compensation insurance.  

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

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Sound Engineer Insurance Cost


Cost per MonthCost per YearDeductible
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 sound engineer 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


For a better idea on how much you’ll pay, here’s another table that shows the cost of a $1 million general liability policy from the best companies:


Cost per MonthCost per YearBest for
NEXT$20$240Best overall; Fastest general liability insurance for sound engineers
CoverWallet$22$264Sound engineer insurance online quotes comparison
The Hartford$25$300Sound engineers working for recording studios
Tivly$26$312Comparing sound engineer insurance quotes over the phone
Thimble$36$432On demand coverage for sound engineers

Compare Cheap Sound Engineer Insurance Quotes Online

Get all the best quotes from leading providers in a click of a button!

Best Sound Engineer Insurance Companies

Many insurance companies claim to provide the best coverage for sound engineers. We looked at all of them and narrowed down the choices to the ones featured here. These are the best sound engineer insurance companies. Read some of the reviews below to know their pros, cons, and cost of a $1 million general liability insurance. 


NEXT Sound Engineer Insurance

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 policies 

Cons

  • Couldn’t find any 

NEXT specializes in granting coverage for independent sound engineers and those who own their studios. 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.

Best for: Best overall; Fastest general liability insurance for sound engineers

Average cost: $20 per month

Our rating: 10/10


CoverWallet Sound Engineer Insurance

Pros

  • Compare sound engineer 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

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. Policies you can avail from CoverWallet are:

  • $1 million-$2 million general liability insurance

  • $2 million professional liability insurance

  • $50,000 commercial property insurance

  • Workers compensation insurance

  • Commercial auto insurance

  • Business owner’s policy


Best for: Sound engineer insurance online quotes comparison

Average cost: $22 per month

Our rating: 10/10


The Hartford Sound Engineer Insurance 

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 quotes 

Cons

  • Doesn’t grant coverage in Alaska and Hawaii

The Hartford takes pride in its 200 years of experience in protecting small to medium-sized businesses. This company ranks number 2 for the best workers compensation insurance underwriter in the USA. Another notable thing to mention is that it has good ratings from AM Best, Moody’s, and S&P. 

The Hartford doesn’t have a sound engineer insurance package but you can get covered through its recording studio insurance package. This offers the following:

  • General liability insurance

  • Commercial property insurance

  • Professional liability insurance

  • Workers compensation insurance

  • Commercial auto insurance


Best for: Sound engineers working for recording studios

Average cost: $25 per month

Our rating: 10/10


Tivly Sound Engineer Insurance

Pros

  • Compare sound engineer insurance quotes over the phone

  • Responsive customer service 

  • A partner of many reputable insurance companies 

Cons

  • You need to call to get a quote 

Tivly allows you to compare quotes. However, you don’t do this online over the phone. This company works with NEXT and other insurance companies to grant you the most comprehensive sound engineer insurance package made up of general liability, commercial property, professional liability, and other policies. Call and talk with a Tivly representative now to get covered. 

Best for: Comparing sound engineer insurance quotes over the phone 

Average cost: $26 per month

Our rating: 9/10


Thimble Sound Engineer Insurance

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 calling 

Thimble is an insurance company that grants coverage without asking a lot of questions. Its online quotation platform only needs basic information to figure out which policies suit your needs best. Thimble doesn’t have a sound engineer insurance program. Instead, it covers you through its sound recordist insurance package that offers:

  • $1 million-$2 million general liability insurance

  • $1 million-$2 million professional liability insurance

  • $25,000-$500,000 commercial property insurance

  • Business owner’s policy

  • Workers compensation insurance


Best for: On-demand coverage for sound engineers

Average cost: $36 per month

Our rating: 9/10


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