Public Liability Insurance

Hi,

I am trying to get a play up and running and start a theatre group (amatuer). To incorporate a group we don't need public liability, but it appears that if we want to hire a venue we will need it.

Can anyone tell me how they deal with this issue? Can you take it out for say 3 nights run or something?

Thanks to anyone who can shed any light on this trap for new players.

Sam

There is an association (I think based in Melbourne...do a web search) called 'Duck For Cover', which might be able to help. They operate as an umbrella organisation for individuals and theatre groups that aren't big enough to negotiate insurance deals for themselves. (Kind of unionist in principle).

However, they are very serious about their membership meeting their requirements, and preserving the reputation they have established (ie not being an insurance risk). I think the minimum membership is a year, and depending on your production, it's still expensive - although possibly the best deal on comprehensive public liability cover.



Cheers,
Craig

Duck For Cover can be found at www.duckforcover.com.au

However, they won't be of much use to Sam, or any other group.

DFC state on their site -

"cover is for individuals only" & "venue hire and venue operations are not covered."

I spent many hours researching cover last year. The Comedy Festival recomended a broker, and he recomended -

www.communityinsurance.com.au

Cheers,

Michael Jeffery
www.vicnet.net.au/~michaelj

No insurance? Not very clever, Sam!

We just renewed our insurance ($1,388 for the year). The C.E.O. of the people supplying our insurance apologized for the increase compared with the previous year's premium. The broker, he tells us, requested quotes from fifteen companies; only two responded. Clearly most underwriters don't understand amateur theatre.

Elsewhere in the information package supplied is the simple warning that: "Office bearers of unincorporated groups run the risk of being held personally liable for injury or damage." Can you assume that risk?

Our insurance is provided by:
The Association of Community Theatre Inc
P O Box 1026
ST PETERS NSW 2044
Ph: 02 9589 1244
E-Mail: martin@showline.com.au

As for short-term insurance. Perhaps you could contact them directly to see if they can help you...

Hope all goes well for your show.

Cheers,
Russell E Williams

Treasurer for
Players Theatre Company Inc.
Mt Waverley, Vic.

I have spent the last 2 years researching public liability insurance for the entertainment inductry and are working very closly with the Victorian government, brokers and underwriters on this issue.
I have also been working with an insurance broker and underwriter on the issues and will be able to post more information on how we will be assisting the industry as a whole within the next few months, unfortunatly this matter wont go away, premiums will not reduce and it will take time to work through to make sure that brokers and underwriters understand our industry and what each individual company, organisation, performer, etc requires.
As for your request for cover you can get cover for short term however it will cost a pretty premium. Can I suggest you call me in my office and i would be more than happy to give you the details of my broker who will be able to assist you. 039645 4133

Robyn Good
General Manager
Showtech Australia

Robyn Good wrote -


I have also been working with an insurance broker...will be able to post more information on how we will be assisting the industry as a whole within the next few months.



Hi Robyn.

I'll be most interested to read that posting once the details are confirmed.

In the meantime, is anyone aware of cover that is superior to that offered through www.communityinsurance.com.au?

I see from their website, that C.I. are backed by the Victorian State Governement and the Municipal Association, and that their 12 month cover for $5 million public liability starts at $363.00

Cheers,

Michael Jeffery.

Hi Robyn.

Now that it's been a few months, I'm wondering please if you have those confirmed details to post.

Cheers,

Michael Jeffery.

Hi Michael,
We are really really close, a formal letter will be posted, and emailed out in the next 2 - 3 weeks or so.
I feel it is as close a solution we could hope for, and hope that the industry gets behind it.
It is not a scheme, and will be based on each individual company/personal assessment, however it is specifically designed to suit the entertainment industry specifically.

Will keep you posted, please send me a reminder in a couple of weeks so I ensure i do get it on this forum

thanks

robyn

Sounds good Robyn.

Thanks.

I'll send a reminder as you suggest.

Cheers,

Michael.

Robyn posted said information in what appears to be a separate Tech Talk thread, 5-5-04.