Public Liability Insurance (PLI)
All Associate individuals and organisations must confirm that they have appropriate PLI in place.
Public liability insurance helps with legal costs and compensation if anyone or anything gets hurt – if you injure someone else, or cause damage to third party property while you are working. For example, tripping over your charging cable which causes dropping and breaking of a student’s violin, trapping fingers in a piano lid or music stand, or spilling your tea across someone else’s tech.
You must make sure your own PLI covers all the settings and contexts you work in. If you teach in schools – but sometimes supervise children at an outdoor performance or exam centre – don’t forget to check with your insurance company.
Individual Associates may find that PLI is offered as part of a professional membership eg Musician’s Union or ISM.
We ask all Associates for their PLI expiry date and use this to remind them when renewal is due.
All Associates are responsible for their own insurances and PLI is the only insurance we ask about as a condition of Associate membership.
Other insurances to consider:
Professional Indemnity – Some individuals and organisations may be advised to take out Professional Indemnity Insurance – or their PLI may automatically include this. This helps protect your reputation and livelihood as a music tutor / organisation. For example, it would cover your legal liability if you were ever deemed to have given negligent advice to a pupil.
Equipment or Instrument Insurance – this can cover your own equipment against accidental damage or loss, theft or fire. Some specialist insurance companies for musicians and tutors will include this as part of an insurance package.
Employer’s Liability Insurance – as soon as any organisation becomes an employer they must have Employer’s Liability (EL) insurance. Please check the government guidance on EL insurance here https://www.gov.uk/employers-liability-insurance
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