Public Liability

(Section 1) Equity Members Public Liability:  Standard Cover.

This policy is designed primarily for individual performers and those performing in collaboration with other Equity members. Teachers of performing arts, models, chorographers, theatre designers, stage managers and theatre directors are also covered.

If you are organising a production then you will probably require “Top Up” cover. If the member is involved in a production then insurance will be the responsibility of the production company.

Those members employing others (even freelance engagements) will require Employers Liability insurance.

Liability Proposal Form

Stage Hypnotist are excluded under the Standard Cover and are dealt with under Sections 3 below. Fire Performers are required to register and pay a premium. Please refer to Section 2. Student Equity members should refer to section 4, Overseas Members, section 5.

This is a summary of cover only. Please refer to the policy for full policy details.

Policy Wording

Concept Design Policy Extension

Policy Questions and Answers:

What type of incident is covered?

This policy will cover the financial consequences of claims against you for bodily injury and/or property damage to any person not your employee arising from the activities of the Insured as an “Artist” as defined below and no other business employment or activity.
Artist
Artist shall mean
(A) Individual person who exercises professional skill in the provision of
entertainment in the theatre music hall films radio television and like media
(B) Individual person who exercises professional skill in carrying out their duty of
stage manager choreographer theatre designer or theatre director in the provision
of entertainment in the theatre music hall film radio television and the like media
(C) Individual teacher or voice coach engaged in the teaching of performing arts
(D) Individual Equity student members participating in self produced productions
rehearsals profit share performances and occasional professional performances
whilst in full time performing arts education
(E)Individual fire performers involved in Fire Performing Activities whilst involved in a
performance or whilst rehearsing at a venue who have registered on the Equity
Fire Performers register paid the relevant premium and have received a
certificate
(F)Individual person who exercises professional skill in modeling

The cover excludes liability to any other Artist performing with the insured, regardless of whether or not they are a member of Equity.
 

Are just performers covered?

No, the cover extends to include teachers of performing arts, models, choreographers, theatre designers, stage managers and theatre directors.

If I perform as an individual under my own Limited Company and the Company has no other employees, will the policy cover that Limited Company?

Yes: The policy extends to indemnify an individual member’s Limited Company in the event that legal liability should arise from the individual act of that member.

Are there any conditions?

Yes, you must take all reasonable precautions to prevent a loss.

What is the limit of indemnity?

This is set at £10 million and this limit is in respect of all claims arising from any one occurrence.

Are any deductions made in the event of a claim?

No, there are no deductions and no excess on any claim.

Are payments made on incidents occurring outside of the UK?

Yes. Policy cover includes any country where you are temporarily engaged in work, provided you are normally resident in the UK.

Am I entitled to claim if I sustain more than one incident in a year?

Yes. The number of claims payable in any single policy year is unlimited.

If I am organising a production, show or the like, do I need to purchase “Top-Up” cover?

Yes. You may also require Employers’ Liability cover. “Top-up” cover can be obtained from First Act, Tel 0208 686 5050.

What are the principal exclusions?

• Liability of whatsoever nature directly or indirectly caused by, contributed to or arising from hypnotism, hypnotherapy and the like.
• Liability arising from or in connection with the insured being involved in a production which is produced or directed by a person or organisation other than themselves.
• Bodily injury to any employee.
• Liability arising from ownership, possession or use of any aircraft, aerospatial device, hovercraft, watercraft or mechanical propelled vehicle.
• Damage to property, which is owned by you or is in your custody or control.
• Liability arising from radiation/nuclear risk.
• War, invasion or act of foreign enemy hostilities.
• Contractual liability.
• Pollution or contamination other than where sudden and unforeseen.
• Advice, design or specification for a fee.*
• Liability arising from pyrotechnics, the use of explosives or any special effect involving fire or explosion, other than the use of flash cotton, flash tape and flash paper as these are included in the cover. This exclusion shall not apply to those registered under section 2 below.
• Liability arising from diving involving the use of breathing apparatus.
• Liability incurred by you to any other Artist, except where such an Artist is not engaged in their profession as an Artist.
• Claims arising from asbestos
• Product defects and recall
• Fines or penalties
• Liability arsing from the activation of fire or heat detectors.

* With effect from 1st October 2009 cover under this policy includes legal liability following injury or damage arising from concept design work. Errors or omissions in connection with a breach of professional duty are excluded.
 

Will I automatically receive a certificate?

No: A certificate is available from Equity on request. The full policy wording is posted on both the First Act and Equity web sites.

How to make a claim

In the unfortunate event that you need to make a claim, please contact First Act Insurance soon as possible. Contact details are listed below. Please note that late notification can lead to claims being repudiated.

Under no circumstances should you admit liability following an incident.

 (Section 2) Public Liability: Fire Performers

Who is covered?

Individual Members that apply for cover, who are accepted by Equity and pay the appropriate premium.

What is the limit of indemnity?

This is set at £2 million and this limit is in respect of all claims arising from any one occurrence

What activities are insured?

Body burning, fire clubs, fire eating, fire poi, fire staff, fire swinging, fire breathing, fire devil sticks, angle grinding, fire fakir, dove pan, fire fingers, fire fan, fire sword and poles, fire skipping ropes, fire hula hoop, fire whip, fire sculpture, fire diablo, fire rope, banner burning, firework staff, fire batons, fire umbrella, fire spinning, fire book, fire knives, fire nipple tassles

Am I Insured all the time?

No: Cover is restricted to professional performances and or rehearsals of such performances at the venue.

Are there any special conditions?

Yes: These are as follows
A) The area of the performance/activity will be cleared of combustible material for a distance of 3 metres in all directions Where the performance/activity involves the use of a flame, the cleared area shall extend not less than 3 metres from the furthest point of the flame Where such precautions are impracticable such material will be covered with non-combustible blankets or screens   Combustible parts of premises will be similarly protected
B) At least one water (with a capacity of more than 8.2 litres) or dry powder (with a weight of more than 1.2 kilograms) or other fire extinguisher of an equivalent rating, of a type suitable for the combustible material and the premises, will be kept immediately adjacent to the area of the performance/activity, in full working order and available for immediate use.  Extinguishers shall comply with BS EN 3.  
C) A fire blanket complying with BS EN 1869 will be kept immediately available adjacent to the area of the performance/activity and available for immediate use.
D) The performer shall be competent in the use of extinguishers and fire blankets.
E) Fire or explosives will be lit as short time as possible before use and extinguished immediately after use.
F) Explosives and flammable liquids or substances will not be left unattended.
G) A thorough examination for any signs of combustion will be made of the area of the performance/activity at the end of the performance/activity and again before vacating the premises.
H) Torches and other fire equipment must be stored and extinguished in an airtight metal container.
I) The amount of fuel taken to a performance must be restricted to the amount required for that performance.  Containers shall be made of metal or plastic and shall not exceed 2.5 litre capacity.
J) All flash products must be stored in water in a sealed plastic bag and locked in a fireproof box when not in use.

Are any deductions made in the event of a claim?

Yes. £500 excess applies in respect of each and every claim.

Are there any exclusions in addition to the Standard Cover described in Section 1 above?

Yes: Damage arising from the activation of fire or heat detectors or devices is excluded.

Are payments made on incidents occurring outside of the UK?

Yes. Policy cover includes any country, except the USA and Canada where you are temporarily engaged in work, provided you are normally resident in the UK . 

How do I apply for cover?

Simply complete the attached proposal form and return to First Act. Upon receipt we shall contact you with premium details.

Fire Performers Application Form

(Section 3) Public Liability Cover : Stage Hypnotists

The Public Liability Standard Cover excludes stage hypnotism.

I am a stage hypnotist, is it possible to obtain public liability cover?

Yes: Although excluded under the Public Liability Members Standard Cover, public liability is available once having registered under the Equity Register of Stage Hypnotists.

Stage Hypnotists Summary of Cover
 

Hypnotists Proposal Form

Code of Conduct

(Section 4) Public Liability: Equity Student Members

The terms and conditions in respect of this section are the same as the Public Liability Members Standard Cover described under Section 1 above with the following exceptions.

When am I covered as an Equity Student Member?

You will be covered whilst participating in occasional amateur joint productions rehearsals profit share performance and occasional professional performances whilst in full time performing arts education.

What is the limit of indemnity?

This is set at £2 million and this limit is in respect of all claims arising from any one occurrence.

Are payments made on incidents occurring outside of the UK?

Yes. Policy cover includes any country, except the USA and Canada where you are temporarily engaged in work, provided you are normally resident in the UK .

(Section 5) Public Liability: Overseas Members.

Overseas members are covered for the Public Liability Standard Cover whilst they are performing in the United Kingdom and Northern Island. Terms and conditions as described above.