If you work in the performing arts sector, especially as part of a circus, you will know that acquiring cheap liability insurance in a high risk profession can be a real headache. The attraction to your performance is through a combination of daring acts (eating swords or breathing fire) and audience participation (workshops to teach your trade to the ambitious younger generations). These foundations of your performance may drive up the cost of liability insurance but it’s a must have for both freelance performers and employers of larger circus troupes.
You will definitely need to obtain an employer’s liability insurance policy if you intend on hiring anyone else for the performance; volunteers and trainees also, as you can be liable for any injury to them. If you are a freelance performer but intend on performing with a group or helping out with another person’s workshop, you will need to be included on their employer’s liability policy – you will also need your own public liability insurance policy.
Whether you are an employer of many performers or a freelancing individual, you will be required by local councils to provide evidence of a public liability insurance policy. This covers any injury to a member of the public or any damage to or loss of their property for which you are liable for. This will include any performance in a public space, whether at an indoor venue such as a theatre or a street performance, and for any workshops you might set up.
There are many insurers who will be able to provide the type of cover that you are looking for, providing you give them all the necessary details about your performance. It may seem like an expense you cannot spare but you really cannot afford to go without it. No council will permit you to perform and the annual rate is rather small when compared to the hundreds of thousands you will have to pay if faced with a legal battle. You may be able to eat swords and fire but you won’t be prepared to take on the dangers of having no liability insurance.
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