Welcome to Summer! This is the seventhth edition of the Johnsonese Brokerage Performing Arts Insurance Newsletter. The goal of our quarterly newsletter is to provide useful information about insurance to theatres, musicians and other performing arts groups .
As we head into the dog days of summer, some of you will be facing a slow period. Take advance of this time to review your insurance. We're here to help you reduce your insurance costs and improve your coverage.
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Fire at Rhianna's Dallas Show | |
 Earlier this month, a fire broke out on stage during a performance of Rihanna's "Loud" tour in Dallas.
Sparks and smoke were seen by the audience in the packed American Airlines Center as Rihanna was ushered off stage. No injuries were reported.
The crew quickly came in to put out the fire, with Dallas firefighters following shortly thereafter to survey the scene. The accident seemed to be a result of the show's elaborate pyrotechnics.
-Reuters, July 10, 2011
This article is a reminder to not get complacent on safety issues. Accidents, even fires, happen on the biggest budget productions.
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Theatre Target of Five Acts of Vandalism and Break-ins since 1996 | |
A community theatre in Columbia, MO has been the victim of vandalism and more serious crimes five times in the last 15 years. The most devastating incident occurred last year when the historic barn that the company had used as a performance space burned to the ground in a fire of undetermined origin.
Since the fire, the group has been using temporary trailers and an outdoor stage. Then in June of this year, vandals smashed windows in one trailer, ransacked its contents, and attempted to break into another trailer.
-Columbia Daily Tribune, June 4, 2011
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The Rules: Renting Space | |
In the spring newsletter I reported on the trend of more non-profits renting out their spaces to generate additional income. Well the Art Newspaper recently reported on some rules to follow for organization's that rented their spaces for private events:
- Require liability insurance protecting the orginaization if something untoward happens
- Set the time when guests and their caterers must leave
- Limit noise
- Protect equipment and props from careless guests
The Phillips Collection in Washington, DC also specifies:
- No candles
- All trays to be carried below shoulder height
- Champagne to be uncorked in the basement
- No Bloody Marys to minimize the risk of stains
-The Art Newspaper, 17 May 11
I would also suggest avoiding red wine if possible. Red wine stains are a significant source of insurance claims.
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'Weird' Insurance Policies | |
Since it's summer I thought we should have a little fun--well at least as much fun as you can have in an insurance newsletter. According to Fox Business, these are some of the "weirdest" insurance policies in existence.
 Who would insure "Ugly Betty" star America Ferrera's smile for $10 million? NFL star Troy Polamalu's locks for $1 million? Supermodel Heidi Klum's legs for $2.2 million? In order: Aquafresh, Head & Shoulders and Braun. Big insurance makes big headlines for the manufacturers that pay celebrities big bucks to promote their products. Despite their eye-catching face value, such promotional policies are quite reasonably priced for one simple reason: They're unlikely to ever pay out. Lotion companies, for example, are famous for insuring their leg models' legs for a million dollars. Such a policy might only cost $1,000.
If Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards jams a finger and can't perform the opening riff to "Start Me Up," he has a $1.5 million disability income insurance policy to back him up.
Entertainers and professional athletes sometimes insure their best asset against loss of income if they're unable to perform. Notable body-parts policies include soccer star David Beckham's $70 million legs, Bruce Springsteen's $6 million voice, "Lord of the Dance" Michael Flatley's $40 million lower half and KISS front man Gene Simmons' $1 million tongue.
When Hollywood's A-list gathers at Oscar time, major special lines insurers are glued to their TV screens, hoping the Academy Awards come off without a hitch. The Oscar celebration itself is insured for everything from a towering inferno to terrorism as well as much of its sparkle. In fact, in 2004, Lloyd's of London was on the hook for $38 million for the combined jewelry adorning Oscar guests.
Weird insurance and Hollywood go way back. In the 1920s, comedic film star Ben Turpin insured against his trademark crossed eyes suddenly uncrossing for $20,000 (they never did). Marlene Dietrich and Betty Grable insured their legs; Bette Davis her waistline. One studio even took out a $1 million policy against the possibility that one of its actresses would fall in love and get married before her contract was up. During the early 1900s, one studio insured filmgoers against death from excessive laughter at the movies.
-Fox Business, May 06, 2011 |
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Can Insurance Companies Make the World Greener? |
CNA Insurance, one of our insurance partners, is offering a new product that does just that.
The "CNA EcoCareŽ Property Upgrade Extension Endorsement for Small Business" provides for green building upgrades as a result of a covered loss to a building or contents. Normally when buildings are destroyed by fires or storms, insurance pays to re-build them as they were before.
With this endorsement a building can be re-built using green technologies, even at higher costs than typical construction methods.
Automatic additional coverages include:
ˇ Vegetative roofs
ˇ Recycling additional expenses
ˇ Architect and engineering expenses
ˇ Certification or recertification expenses
ˇ Ventilation of reconstructed buildings
Similarly, Hartford offers a feature with its Commercial Auto coverage that will pay you extra if you replace a totaled vehicle with a hybrid. Under the company's broad form endorsement, you can receive an additional 10% of the Actual Cash Value of your old vehicle, up to $2,500, to pay for the upgrade.
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Use Extra Caution Around Pool Chemicals This Summer | |
 Every summer mishandled pool chemicals result in thousands of injuries and emergency room visits across the country, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other sources.
Here are some safety tips from industry professionals.
1. Read and follow package directions
2. Don't mix chemicals in the house
3. Don't combine different pool chemicals (i.e., algaecides
& chlorine)
4. Add the chemical to the water, and never pour water into
chemicals
5. Wear eye goggles and gloves when applying pool chemicals
6. Use a dedicated scoop for each chemical container
7. Don't combine materials between "new" and "old" containers
8. Store chemicals in sealed containers in an exterior shed or
tub
9. Don't leave chemicals in the sun
10. Keep chemicals out of children's reach
11. Don't store chlorine near stainless steel objects, such as
pool ladders
-Staten Island Live, August 08, 2010
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The Johnsonese Brokerage can assist you with most of your art insurance needs. To get started immediately call 773.857.0242 or Email info@johnsonese.com. Thanks for reading our newsletter, Christopher Johnson |
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About the Johnsonese Brokerage |
The Johnsonese Brokerage LLC is a licensed and bonded independent insurance agency focused on insuring the performing arts.
Who we insure:
- Production Companies
- Theatres
- Theatre Companies
- Dance Companies
- Acting Schools
- Concerts
- Musicians
- Light & Sound Companies
- Costume & Props Companies
We are licensed in the states of Arizona, California (license #0G69323), Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin. How are we doing? Your feedback is always welcome! |
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Common Insurance Terms
1. Auditable
Some insurance policies are auditable. This means that the insurance company has the right to review the insured's results for the policy period and adjust the premium upwards or downwards as necessary.
2. Minimum Earned Premium
This is the portion of the policy premium that is non-refundable. Even if the policy is cancelled early by the insured, the insurance company is entitled to retain at least this portion of any pre-paid premium.
3. Premium Finance Agreement
This is basically a short-term loan covering some portion of a policy premium. This loan gives the insured the option of making payments for a policy that requires pre-payment of the full premium. The agreement is usually from a third-party finance company and interest charges do apply.
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We are Now License in Arizona!
At the Johnsonese Brokerage we pride ourselves on customer service. When a California client recently moved to Arizona, we obtained our local license in order to follow them.
Tell your friends in Arizona that we are ready to insure them!
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We Appreciate Referrals!
As a service business, referrals are our biggest source of new clients.
If you know of any other business needing insurance, please let us know. We promise to give them the same personal and professional service that you've come to expect from the Johnsonese Brokerage.
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Our Business Partners
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AmWins -
AXA -
Chubb -
CNA -
Hartford -
Insurance Noodle -
Markel -
Philadelphia -
Risk Placement Services
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