If you’re be offered a gig DJ’ing abroad then congratulations! Only the fortunate few are lucky enough to spend a season in Ibiza or Corfu hotspots, although the opportunities for good DJs to work all over Europe are plentiful.
However, it’s not all sun, sea, sangria and, well, let’s be honest – sex. Getting a gig as a DJ for a season abroad can be incredibly hard work with long hours, low pay and uncertain contractual agreements. It’s only the elite DJs that are bringing in thousands of pounds per gig – most overseas contracts are for working DJs who are prepared to head to sunnier climes to boost their reputation, get away from the uncertain British summer weather, and very little else.
Covering your kit
One thing that you may discover when you get that overseas contract is that you have to supply a lot of the equipment yourself. Unless the club or venue you’re working at has their own desk and system, it could be up to you to load up your car with your own precious kit, and transport it several thousand miles overseas. And while your DJ insurancemay cover your equipment in the UK, have you checked to make sure that you’ll still have the same amount of cover once you cross the Channel?
Equipment cover may be perfectly adequate for a wedding or club gig in your home town, but insurance providers may not be so willing to give you the cover you need if you’re travelling half-way across Europe with your kit in the back of your car. If you’re flying out your equipment through a freight shipping company then remember that their insurance will only give you limited ‘in-transit’ cover. It will not provide you with insurance once the kit has arrived at its destination.
Public liability cover
The same applies for the venue’s public liability cover. Insurance cover can be very different, depending on the country you’re travelling to, so make sure you do your homework before you leave. Check with the venue what kind of cover they have and whether it will provide you with the protection you need. And then double check yourself, as the policy holder may not have the information you need to make an informed decision.
If necessary, talk to your broker who will be able to use their expertise and contacts to find out for you whether the information you’ve been given is correct, or if you need additional DJ insurance cover.