TL;DR
Working behind the scenes in the UK's vibrant events industry is a role unlike any other. Whether you're a lighting designer crafting the perfect atmosphere, a sound engineer ensuring crystal-clear audio, a rigger working at dizzying heights, or an AV technician making a corporate conference seamless, your skills are the invisible backbone of every successful show. The work is demanding, the hours are long, and the pressure is constant.
Key takeaways
- Physical Demands: Your work often involves heavy lifting, manual handling of expensive equipment, and long periods on your feet. This increases the risk of musculoskeletal injuries.
- Working at Height: Riggers, lighting technicians, and even some AV installers regularly work on trusses, scaffolding, or gantries. This is a significant risk factor that needs to be properly declared and understood.
- Irregular and Long Hours: 'Anti-social' hours are the norm. Early starts, late finishes, and overnight rigging sessions can disrupt sleep patterns and contribute to long-term health issues related to stress and fatigue.
- Extensive Travel: Touring, moving between venues, and driving long distances, often late at night, increases the risk of road accidents.
- Contract-Based Work: A significant portion of the industry is freelance. This means no sick pay, no holiday pay, and no employer benefits. If you don't work, you don't get paid.
Working behind the scenes in the UK's vibrant events industry is a role unlike any other. Whether you're a lighting designer crafting the perfect atmosphere, a sound engineer ensuring crystal-clear audio, a rigger working at dizzying heights, or an AV technician making a corporate conference seamless, your skills are the invisible backbone of every successful show.
The work is demanding, the hours are long, and the pressure is constant. It requires a unique blend of technical expertise, creativity, and physical resilience. But have you ever stopped to consider what would happen if you were suddenly unable to work?
For many event technicians, particularly the vast number who are self-employed or work on freelance contracts, the financial safety net that office-based employees take for granted simply isn't there. An illness or injury doesn't just mean time off; it means a complete stop to your income. This is where specialist financial protection becomes not just a 'nice-to-have', but an essential part of your professional toolkit.
This guide is designed specifically for you—the event technicians, riggers, and AV specialists of the UK. We'll explore the tailored insurance options that recognise the unique risks of your profession and provide the robust protection you and your family deserve.
Tailored cover for events and AV specialists
The phrase 'one size fits all' certainly doesn't apply to the events industry, and the same is true for your insurance. A standard policy designed for a 9-to-5 office worker will likely fail to grasp the nuances of your career. Insurers need to understand the specific risks you face to offer you the right cover at a fair price.
What makes your job so unique from an insurer's perspective?
- Physical Demands: Your work often involves heavy lifting, manual handling of expensive equipment, and long periods on your feet. This increases the risk of musculoskeletal injuries.
- Working at Height: Riggers, lighting technicians, and even some AV installers regularly work on trusses, scaffolding, or gantries. This is a significant risk factor that needs to be properly declared and understood.
- Irregular and Long Hours: 'Anti-social' hours are the norm. Early starts, late finishes, and overnight rigging sessions can disrupt sleep patterns and contribute to long-term health issues related to stress and fatigue.
- Extensive Travel: Touring, moving between venues, and driving long distances, often late at night, increases the risk of road accidents.
- Contract-Based Work: A significant portion of the industry is freelance. This means no sick pay, no holiday pay, and no employer benefits. If you don't work, you don't get paid.
- High-Pressure Environment: The "show must go on" mentality is powerful. The stress of live events and tight deadlines can take its toll on mental and physical health over time.
Because of these factors, you need insurance that provides a safety net for your specific circumstances. A specialist broker, like WeCovr, understands these challenges. We work with insurers who have a sophisticated understanding of the events industry, ensuring your policy is built for your reality, not for a generic 'technician'.
Understanding Your Core Protection Options
Financial protection isn't a single product; it's a suite of tools designed to protect you against different life events. For an event technician, the three core pillars of protection are Life Insurance, Critical Illness Cover, and Income Protection.
1. Life Insurance
Life Insurance is the foundation of financial protection for anyone with dependents or significant financial commitments. It pays out a tax-free lump sum if you pass away during the policy term. This money can be used by your loved ones to:
- Pay off the mortgage
- Clear outstanding debts (loans, credit cards)
- Cover funeral expenses
- Provide an income for your family to live on
- Fund future costs like children's education
There are several types of life insurance to consider:
| Type of Cover | How It Works | Best For... |
|---|---|---|
| Level Term | The payout amount remains the same throughout the policy term. | Covering an interest-only mortgage or providing a set lump sum for family living costs. |
| Decreasing Term | The payout amount reduces over time, usually in line with a repayment mortgage. | The most affordable way to ensure your mortgage is paid off if you die. |
| Family Income Benefit | Instead of a lump sum, it pays out a regular, tax-free income until the policy term ends. | Replacing your lost income for your family in a manageable way. |
| Whole of Life | Guarantees a payout whenever you die, as long as you keep paying premiums. | Covering an expected Inheritance Tax bill or leaving a guaranteed legacy. |
Example: Mark, a 40-year-old freelance sound engineer, has a partner, two young children, and a £200,000 repayment mortgage. He takes out a decreasing term policy to cover the mortgage and a level term policy for £150,000 to provide his family with a financial buffer and cover future costs if he were to pass away. (illustrative estimate)
2. Critical Illness Cover
While Life Insurance protects your family after you're gone, Critical Illness Cover is designed to protect you and your family while you're living. It pays a tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with one of a specific list of serious medical conditions defined in the policy.
Common conditions covered include:
- Heart Attack
- Stroke
- Most forms of Cancer
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Kidney Failure
- Major Organ Transplant
The physical and mental stress of an event technician's career can increase the risk of some of these conditions. A critical illness diagnosis would almost certainly mean a long period away from such a physically demanding job. The payout gives you financial breathing space, allowing you to:
- Take time off work to recover without financial worry.
- Pay for private medical treatment or specialist therapies.
- Adapt your home if required.
- Clear your mortgage or other debts to reduce your monthly outgoings.
It's vital to note that the number and definition of illnesses covered can vary significantly between insurers. This is an area where expert advice is invaluable to ensure you get a comprehensive policy.
3. Income Protection Insurance
For many in the events industry, especially freelancers, Income Protection is arguably the most important cover you can have. It's designed to replace a portion of your income if you're unable to work due to any illness or injury.
Unlike Critical Illness Cover, which pays a lump sum for a specific condition, Income Protection pays a regular monthly benefit until you can return to work, retire, or the policy term ends.
Key Features:
- Benefit Amount: You can typically cover up to 60-65% of your gross annual income.
- Deferment Period: This is the waiting period from when you stop working to when the policy starts paying out. It can be tailored from 1 day to 12 months. A longer deferment period means a lower premium, so you can align it with any savings you have.
- Definition of Incapacity: This is crucial. For a specialist role, you should always seek an 'Own Occupation' definition. This means the policy will pay out if you are unable to perform your specific job as an event technician, even if you could technically do another job, like office admin.
Example: Sarah, a 32-year-old freelance lighting rigger, earns £45,000 a year. She has minimal savings. She takes out an Income Protection policy to pay her £2,200 a month after a 4-week deferment period. Six months later, she falls from a ladder (outside of work) and breaks her ankle, requiring surgery. She is unable to climb or carry heavy equipment for five months. After her 4-week deferment period, her policy starts paying her £2,200 each month, allowing her to cover her rent and bills while she recovers fully. (illustrative estimate)
The Unique Risks of an Event Technician's Career
When you apply for protection insurance, underwriters assess your 'risk'. For event technicians, this goes beyond standard health and lifestyle questions. They will want to know the specifics of your day-to-day role.
Here's a breakdown of how insurers view the common risks in your profession:
| Risk Factor | Why It Matters to Insurers | Relevant Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Working at Height | High risk of falls and serious injury. Insurers will ask for the maximum height and frequency. | Income Protection, Critical Illness Cover |
| Heavy/Manual Lifting | Increased risk of musculoskeletal disorders (e.g., back, shoulder, knee injuries). A common reason for claims. | Income Protection |
| Driving/Travel | Long hours on the road, especially at night, increases the statistical risk of accidents. | Income Protection, Life Insurance |
| Use of Pyrotechnics | Specialist risk that needs full disclosure. May lead to premium loading or exclusions with some insurers. | All types of cover |
| Noise Exposure | Long-term exposure can lead to hearing damage. Some insurers might add exclusions for hearing-related claims. | Income Protection |
| Irregular Hours | Linked to long-term health issues like stress, burnout, and cardiovascular problems. | Critical Illness Cover, Income Protection |
It's essential to be completely transparent about these aspects of your job. Hiding information about working at height, for example, could invalidate your policy precisely when you need it most. An expert adviser can help you present this information accurately to an insurer who understands and prices for these risks fairly.
For the Self-Employed and Company Directors
The structure of your employment dramatically changes which insurance solutions are most suitable and tax-efficient. The events industry is populated by freelancers, sole traders, and directors of small limited companies.
Freelancers and Sole Traders
If you work for yourself, you are your own safety net. The core products of Life Insurance, Critical Illness Cover, and Income Protection are your personal responsibility.
- Income Protection: This is non-negotiable. With no employer sick pay to fall back on, this is your primary defence against a loss of income.
- Personal Sick Pay: This is a type of short-term income protection, often with shorter deferment periods (even 1 day) and a maximum payout period of 12 or 24 months. It can be a good option for those in more manual trades or who want to cover short-term incapacity.
- Proving Income: When applying, you'll need to prove your earnings. Insurers will typically ask for 1-2 years of accounts or your SA302 tax calculations from HMRC. It's best to base your cover on a stable average income.
Company Directors
If you run your own limited company, perhaps an AV hire firm or a production company, you have access to more tax-efficient ways to arrange cover. These policies are paid for by the business as a legitimate business expense.
| Policy Type | What It Does | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Relevant Life Cover | A 'death-in-service' policy for directors. Pays a lump sum to your family if you die. | Premiums are a tax-deductible business expense and not a P11D benefit. Highly tax-efficient. |
| Executive Income Protection | An income protection policy owned and paid for by your company. | Premiums are a business expense. If you claim, the benefit is paid to the company to then distribute as income, keeping National Insurance contributions active. |
| Key Person Insurance | Protects the business itself. Pays a lump sum to the business if a key employee (like you) dies or suffers a critical illness. | The money can be used to recruit a replacement, cover lost profits, or clear business debts. It ensures business continuity. |
| Gift Inter Vivos | A specialised life policy to cover a potential Inheritance Tax liability on a gift. | If you've gifted shares in your company, this can cover the tax bill if you die within 7 years of making the gift. |
Arranging cover through your business can result in significant savings compared to paying for it from your post-tax personal income. At WeCovr, we have extensive experience helping company directors in the creative and technical industries structure their protection in the most efficient way.
How Much Cover Do You Really Need?
Calculating the right amount of cover can feel daunting, but it can be broken down into a logical process based on your financial commitments and goals.
1. Calculating Life Insurance:
- Debts: Start with your largest debt, usually your mortgage. Add any car loans, personal loans, and credit card balances.
- Family Support: How much income would your family need to replace? A common rule of thumb is 10x your annual salary. Alternatively, calculate their monthly budget and multiply it by the number of years they'd need support.
- Future Costs (illustrative): Do you want to provide for your children's university education? Budget around £50,000 - £75,000 per child.
- Final Expenses (illustrative): The average UK funeral cost is now around £4,000 - £5,000.
Total Life Cover = Debts + Family Support + Future Costs + Final Expenses
2. Calculating Critical Illness Cover:
- Immediate Needs: A good starting point is 1-2 years of your net salary. This gives you a significant buffer to stop working and focus on recovery.
- Debt Reduction: You might want enough to clear your mortgage, which would dramatically reduce your monthly financial pressure.
- Medical Costs: While the NHS is fantastic, you might want funds for therapies or treatments not readily available, or to make adaptations to your home.
3. Calculating Income Protection:
- Budgeting: This is the most straightforward. Calculate your essential monthly outgoings: mortgage/rent, bills, food, travel, and insurance premiums. This is the absolute minimum you need to cover.
- Maximum Cover: Insurers will limit you to around 60-65% of your pre-tax income. This is because the benefit is paid tax-free and they want to provide an incentive for you to return to work.
Cost of Cover: What to Expect
Premiums are highly individual and depend on a range of factors:
- Your Age: The younger you are when you take out a policy, the cheaper it will be.
- Your Health: Your medical history, height, weight (BMI), and family medical history are all considered.
- Smoker/Vaper Status: Smokers and vapers will pay significantly more, often close to double that of a non-smoker.
- Your Occupation: As we've discussed, the specific duties of an event technician will be a key factor.
- The Policy: The amount of cover, the length of the term, and the type of policy all determine the final price.
To give you an idea, here are some illustrative examples. These are not quotes and are for informational purposes only.
Example 1: Level Term Life Insurance For a 30-year-old, non-smoking Event Technician seeking £250,000 of cover over a 30-year term. (illustrative estimate)
| Insurer | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Insurer A | £12.50 |
| Insurer B | £13.10 |
| Insurer C | £14.00 |
Example 2: Income Protection For a 35-year-old, non-smoking AV Technician (minimal work at height) seeking a £2,000 monthly benefit, paid until age 67, with a 13-week deferment period. (illustrative estimate)
| Insurer | Monthly Premium ('Own Occupation') |
|---|---|
| Insurer A | £45.80 |
| Insurer B | £51.20 |
| Insurer C | £55.00 |
As you can see, prices can vary between providers, even for the same level of cover. This is why comparing the market is essential.
The Added Value: Beyond the Payout
Modern insurance policies are more than just a promise to pay out. Most leading UK insurers now include a suite of added-value benefits, often at no extra cost. For a busy, travelling event technician, these can be incredibly useful:
- Remote GP Services: 24/7 access to a UK-based GP via phone or video call. Perfect for getting advice when you're on tour or working unsociable hours.
- Mental Health Support: Access to a set number of counselling or therapy sessions. Invaluable for managing the stress and pressure of the events world.
- Second Medical Opinion: If you're diagnosed with a serious illness, you can have your case reviewed by a world-leading expert to confirm the diagnosis and treatment plan.
- Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation: Many income protection policies offer support to help you recover from an injury and get back to work safely.
At WeCovr, we believe in proactive health and wellbeing. That's why, in addition to the benefits included with your policy, we provide our clients with complimentary access to CalorieHero, our AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app. Managing your health on the road is tough, and tools like this demonstrate our commitment to supporting you beyond just the insurance paperwork.
Why Choose a Specialist Broker like WeCovr?
You could go directly to an insurer or use a comparison website, but for a specialist profession like yours, you risk getting the wrong advice or an unsuitable product. A specialist broker works for you, not the insurance company.
- Expert Knowledge: We understand the nuances of the events industry. We know which insurers are more lenient on working at height, which have the best 'own occupation' definitions, and which offer the most comprehensive critical illness cover.
- Market Access: We compare plans from all the major UK insurers, as well as smaller specialists, to find the best policy for your specific needs and budget.
- Application Support: We help you frame your application correctly, ensuring all aspects of your job are declared properly. This minimises the chance of issues at the underwriting stage and protects you at the point of a claim.
- Claim Assistance: If the worst happens and you need to make a claim, we are in your corner, ready to help you navigate the process and ensure the insurer honours their commitment.
Your career is dedicated to making sure everything runs perfectly behind the scenes. It's time to apply that same level of professionalism to your own financial protection. Getting the right cover in place provides peace of mind, allowing you to focus on what you do best: creating unforgettable events.
I'm a freelancer, how do I prove my income for an Income Protection policy?
What happens if my job duties change, for example, I start working at height more often?
Is my insurance cover valid if I'm working abroad on a tour?
What is the difference between 'Own Occupation' and other income protection definitions?
Do I need a medical examination to get life insurance as an event technician?
Sources
- Department for Transport (DfT): Road safety and transport statistics.
- DVLA / DVSA: UK vehicle and driving regulatory guidance.
- Association of British Insurers (ABI): Motor insurance market and claims publications.
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA): Insurance conduct and consumer information guidance.
