Burning Question RE: DJ Contracts

Well I am sure he is insured for his own damages. But let say, for example, if your weird cousin "Jenny" gets totally trashed and can barely walk, decides to to the cha cha slide right into the DJ booth and crashes it to pieces.... That is why he put that in there. Its the same way we all carry insurance on our vehicles. We don't plan on hitting someone, but it happens. The DJ just wants to have his bases covered. Most contracts I have signed have included clauses similar. its probably happened to him at some point (or to someone he knows) and he just wants to make sure its not going to be an issue.

FutureMrs.B my sentiments exactly! haha ... but my FH is being a stickler on this and doesn't want to send in the contract - he asks why the vendor isn't insured for his own property or why it isn't included in our total fee, and I think these are reasonable questions, especially where our venue includes this in their total rental fee, why don't vendors include it in their total fee? It doesn't help that we both have legal backgrounds and analyze everything! I just want to send the darn thing out and either trust that nobody will get THAT drunk enough to fall into equipment or else I will have to police all my guests!

Most crowds are respectful, a wedding is not a time to get so drunk you black out. Yes, people get tipsy, but never enough to wonder if an ambulance needs to be called for alcohol poisoning. At least, MOST people feel this way. There are your few that consider it a night out. I doubt your DJ would be offended if you ask him why and how it works. If you still feel iffy, there are a thousand DJs out there that can do your wedding. I also think, that he may book other social functions as well. Where etiquette and consideration aren't always a factor (i.e. Homecoming - prom).

It's possible his own insurance requires him to have this clause, as well. They want to avoid paying if at all possible.

Our DJ has this in their contract, too-- we just got our own insurance so we don't have to worry about it-- it's unlikely we'll need to use it, but very worthwhile since it will cover that and a huge list of other things. . .

I am glad you agree that he shouldn't feel offended ... because I did just email him asking A. Why wasn't he insured for his own property; and B. Why not include client insurance in the total dj fee (like the venue does for their rental against any property liability) - I felt it was forward of me questioning him like that but it had to be done for our peace of mind. So, I wait to see what he says. Also, is this a wedding insurance issue? I've heard of people taking out wedding insurance an avenue I'd rather not have to walk down. Besides, most vendors come with their own insurance, why the heck am I dealing with this? Our caterer and bartender include insurance prices in their total fees. I don't know I feel clueless sometimes about this process.

Yikes, I understand where your FH is coming from. I think I would have a hard time signing that as well. My DJ is insured, and it said nothing like that on our contract.

Barbara, what kind of insurance, what does it cover, and how costly? You mentioned you have insurance.

Wedding insurance is basically event insurance. It can cover property damage or loss (including if your gifts are stolen), cancellation (like, if there's a tornado that destroys your venue and you can't have the wedding as planned), and liability (like if a guest gets into a car accident after drinking at your wedding and kills someone-- yes, in some states you will be responsible as the host). If you google 'Wedding insurance' you'll find companies that sell it-- I think we used wedsure. Most plans run about $150-600, depending on how much coverage you need. Like i said, it is good bc it's going to resolve this issue for you, but also protect you from a lot of other things you may not even realize are a possibility-- like your venue going out of business or your seamstress ruining your dress 1 week out, etc

Thank you Barbara! Reluctantly, I believe I have to look into this ... wedding planning just sucks. Sorry. Having a moment. This is my first really unexpected decision/cost I have had to seriously think about. Thank you again for the info.

I'm pretty sure this is standard though. It's in our DJ contract. I just asked my bff and it's in her DJ contract.

I think it is standard. It's in our DJ contract, too, and I didn't even think twice about it.

Its in mine too. I just didn't even think about it I had to go back and check to see. Yep, it's there.

The week after our wedding, the DJ posted on Facebook that a guest had assaulted one of their DJs and dumped a drink on all his equipment at that weekend's wedding. This is the kind of thing you would need to pay for. Why should he have to file a claim against his insurance for something someone deliberately did to him. If you're driving and someone else causes an accident, you expect their insurance to cover it, right, because it shouldn't count against you when it wasn't your fault. Same idea here. I wouldn't be too concerned about someone falling into the equipment, usually the DJ wants to set up slightly removed from the dance floor but where they can see it, so there should be "buffer" room if someone falls.

It's pretty standard in my area at least. It's in the dj, videographers, and photographers contracts. This protects them in the event that one of my guests causes the accident or damage. I know a lot of times there insurance protects if you have a guest trip over a cord and get injured, but if you or a guest cause damage to the equipment it's your responsibility to cover it. (their insurance covers things they are at fault for, not things you or a guest are at fault for)

Yes, what JaKLyn said... their insurance covers THEM. You need your own insurance to cover yourself and your guests.

I get it. The insurance thing. Looks like we need to add that on to our budget. Wonderful. I will be telling FH when he gets home tonight. He's gonna love that one. Oh well, we do this one time.

The servers or bartenders should be responsible enough in their service of alcohol that none of your guests should be stumbling-drunk, bumping into things. As hosts, it is up to you to provide food and non-alcoholic choices to prevent mishaps. I don't think anything bad will come of signing this contract - it's just to cover everyone's behind, including your's.

As a wedding DJ myself, I would always encourage clients to ask about insurance. You would be surprised how many DJ's do not have insurance for their own equipment. However, I think that the DJ may just want you to be aware that they are not responsible for unruly guests. I have a statement in my contract that states that if I feel there is a reasonable concern for damage, I withhold the right to stop the event until the situation is secured.

I think you can just ask your DJ for their reason and typically they can offer a reason. Best wishes and have a great wedding

Update: The dj emailed me back and did explain reasons as Mayfield Audio mentioned. He gave a good reason and gave me a peace of mind. I'm not so sure we really have to purchase wedding insurance where our venue is covered for property liability in our total fee, the caterer and our 2 bartenders also come with insurance included in their fees, it is literally spelled out in our contracts how much we are paying goes toward that insurance fee. The reason the dj gave is interesting: Working a wedding some years ago an unruly guest was mad that his song he requested wouldn't be played (it was actually on the bride and grooms "do not play list") and this guest poured his drink all over the djs equipment because he was mad that he couldn't hear his song! Blatant and belligerent liability! We will be signing the contract. Probably won't invest in insurance and trust we don't have jerk guests like the one described!