Equity members will soon be better protected at work as we launch our groundbreaking new package of insurance cover for all members. It represents the highest value and most comprehensive insurance package ever provided as part of an Equity membership.
For our members working in variety – from drag and burlesque to stand-up comedy and children’s entertainers – our Public Liability insurance (PL insurance) is a vital part of ensuring they can perform, and can get work. For all members, our accident cover provides an important safety net in a precarious industry of short term engagements. For almost two years, Equity has been working closely with members as well as our new insurance broker, Verlingue, and insurance providers, Aviva, to get the offer right.
Our new package starts on the 1 October 2024. Along with maintaining our £10 million Public Liability insurance and backstage cover, it sees a significant improvement in the scope and payouts for accidents and injury related to your work.
The improvements include:
- Cover for all activities related to your profession: You will continue to be covered when on a job, under contract, and going to work and from work – but you’ll now also be covered for any activities related to your profession. Whether it be an injury from the gym, at a class, at an audition or showcase, you will now be covered by Equity’s accident and injury insurance, all included in your Equity subscription.
- Doubling the weekly payout for most members: from £150 a week to £300 a week if you’re unable to work due to an accident or injury from activities related to your profession.
- Fire, circus and stunt professions covered as standard: Artists in many professions – such as fire breathers, circus performers, stunt artists – that previously had to pay a top-up to benefit from the accident or Public Liability insurances, will no longer have to. Stunt artists will still receive enhanced benefits in the case of accident or injury at £1,000 a week.
- More members covered than ever before: Artists up to 85 (up from the current age of 80) will be included, and student members will be covered for accidents and injury during training and education.
- Medical scans included: All members automatically covered for MRI/RIB scans – no need to buy extra insurance.
What happens now?
All Equity members will be automatically moved onto the new insurance cover on 1 October 2024. From 1 October 2024 your new PL insurance document will be available to download from the website. In the interim period, the existing document can still be downloaded from your account on the website but it will have an expiry date of 1 October 2024 when we will move to the new insurance.
Question? Check our new insurance FAQs
