The accidental death of a fan at an American heavy metal band’s concert in Prague, The Czech Republic, and the collapse of scaffolding in high winds outside another American band’s concert in Cape Town, South Africa are two recent incidents that underscore the critical importance for all touring artists to include international coverage as part of their insurance portfolio, according to Scott Carroll, Executive Vice President & Program Director of Take1 Entertainment Insurance.
“Every artist who steps outside the United States to perform anywhere in the world should make sure they carry international insurance protection,” Carroll said today. “The coverage territory of a traditional U.S. based policy does not typically extend beyond the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. That means that if something happens to an insured outside of these areas, they are totally exposed to all claims without any insurance protection.”
According to Carroll, the inclusion of international protection coverage is an important first step in a larger, more complex insurance program. “Carrying international insurance coverage, while important, is not perfect because it does not respond to all situations one might face in every country. What it is, however, is a statement by the U.S. based insurance company that provides the coverage that, in certain situations, they are there to help. Stated differently, without the coverage you are completely exposed and subject to the laws and rules of that country, and that can be very confusing, frightening, and quite daunting.
“There is a difference between locally admitted coverage, which is usually only available to those with business entities in the country where the work is being performed, and an international policy that extends certain coverage parts (often, general liability; foreign voluntary work comp and auto) of a U.S. based insurance program, to activities outside of the U.S. Without either, an entity is completely exposed. The two most recent international concert accidents bring to the fore what insurance protection do I have when I leave the country? The bottom line is that every touring act, promoter, producer and possibly even production managers, should carry international coverage protection that allows for coverage protection against a broad range of claim areas. You can’t be too penny wise and pound foolish when it comes to insurance protection in the global 21st Century entertainment industry.”
One practical application of most international insurance policies is the inclusion of Travel Assistance services. These services, typically an 800 phone number that is monitored 24/7, provides a traveler with a number to call when situations develop when traveling away from home. These services can, and do, help with everything from replacement passport services to refilling prescriptions. It provides an element of “just in case” help and support to an insured that purchases an international policy