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Background Music Services Insurance Policy Information

Background Music Services Insurance. Music services are unique private label radio stations or streaming services that meet the music or soundtrack needs of various commercial ventures by providing customized offerings.

Background music services companies work with clients to develop a unique soundtrack or private label radio station that plays for customers while shopping, while waiting in an office, or when their telephone call is placed on hold.

They may assist clients in choosing appropriate music for advertising a specific product or service as a branding technique. Some solicit clients directly while others work through advertising agencies. The music service company is responsible for obtaining all copyright approvals and paying the appropriate royalties.

Music services for retail stores are probably the most well-known example, but music services may also serve other kinds of companies, such as by playing music in office spaces, elevators, waiting rooms, and on the telephone while customers are placed on hold.

As the mood of a soundtrack or type of music played in a setting can play a crucial role in encouraging customers to make a purchase, music services offer a lot more than simple background music. This booming industry is only growing as it increasingly moves into streaming, and customer-oriented music services can be incredibly successful.

These business also, however, have to consider the financial pitfalls they may face - including those that arrive as a result of unforeseen circumstances like accidents, disasters, and lawsuits. What types of background music services insurance might be needed? Learn more in this brief guide.

Background music services insurance protects businesses from lawsuits with rates as low as $37/mo. Get a fast quote and your certificate of insurance now.

Below are some answers to commonly asked background music services insurance questions:

• What Is Background Music Services Insurance?
• How Much Does Background Music Services Insurance Cost?
• Why Do Background Music Services Need Insurance?
• What Type Of Insurance Do Background Music Services Need?
• What Does Background Music Services Insurance Cover & Pay For?

Why Do Background Music Services Need Insurance?

Music services need insurance for many of the same reasons that lead any other company to pursue the best coverage they can afford - to meet legal requirements and avoid fines, to meet lender conditions, to raise their reputation, and because the right insurance coverage offers your best chance of recovering from the financial losses associated with major perils more easily.

The risks background music services face include those universal to all branches of commerce as well as some unique to this still-growing industry. Your facility could be devastated by an act of nature, such as a wildfire or earthquake, simultaneously causing great damage to your smaller assets, such as important equipment. Theft and vandalism are two more examples of threats that deal a huge blow to your financial health, and accidents are another.

A third party - like a client or vendor - could file a lawsuit against your company for almost any reason, including allegations of bodily injury or property damage, copyright infringement, or professional negligence. An employee could be injured in the workplace under circumstances for which music services could, as an employer, likewise be held liable.

Background music services may be able to handle the costs of minor mishaps on their own, but major perils can be accompanied by such overwhelming expenses that they could threaten the very future of your business. If you invest in the appropriate background music services insurance policies, your business will, on the other hand, find that it is much less painful to deal with the aftermath of a serious incident.

Background Music Services' Risks & Exposures

Premises liability exposures at the location are limited. Production of soundtrack tapes should be within a restricted area with access to visitors controlled and limited. Visitors must be confined to waiting rooms and designated conference areas.

To prevent slips, trips, and falls, all areas accessible to clients must be well maintained with floor covering in good condition. Exits must be sufficient in number, be well marked, and have backup lighting in case of power failure. Parking lots and sidewalks need to be in good repair with snow and ice removed, and generally level and free of exposure to slips and falls.

Off-premises exposures are from salespersons working with clients to develop the appropriate sound.

Media professional liability exposures are very high, as there may be allegations of copyright infringement, libel or slander, unauthorized use of names, ideas, or music, actual or implied breach of contract, and personal injury.

The music service is required to secure copyright approval and pay royalties for music produced by others. The level of exposure varies based on the services provided and the contractual arrangements with each client.

Workers compensation exposures are light. Potential injuries from working with computers include eyestrain, neck strain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and similar cumulative trauma injuries that can be addressed through ergonomically designed workstations.

Hearing impairment can result from working with music at high decibel levels. Work with electrical equipment may result in shocks and burns.

Off-site exposures include slips, falls, and back injuries due to lifting equipment, electrical injuries, automobile accidents, and contact with clients.

Property exposures are moderate. Ignition sources include electrical wiring, heating, and air conditioning systems. Wiring must be well maintained with sufficient capacity to handle load requirements as both the amount of equipment and demand may increase due to technology.

While many music files can be downloaded, the music service may still have a CD or vinyl records library. Electronic equipment and musical recordings are susceptible to damage by fire, smoke, and water. Fire extinguishers and automatic fire extinguishing or suppressant systems should be of a dry chemical nature and not water based.

Audio equipment is valuable and may be a target for thieves. Appropriate security controls should be taken, including physical barriers to prevent entrance to the premises after hours and an alarm system that reports directly to a central station or the police department.

Equipment breakdown exposures are moderate due to the reliance of the service on electronic equipment and other apparatus.

Inland marine exposures include accounts receivable if the service offers credit, audio equipment, computers, and valuable papers and records for clients' and vendors' information. The audio equipment and computers should be combined for coverage because they are integrated systems.

Since viruses can adversely affect computer equipment, EDP coverage with virus protection is recommended. Duplicates should be made and kept in an off-site backup facility for easy reproduction following a loss.

Crime exposures are from employee dishonesty. Hazards increase without proper background checks, monitoring procedures, and securing of all records to prevent unauthorized access. All billing, ordering, and disbursements should be handled as separate duties. Regular reconciliation and audits are vital.

Audio equipment is extremely valuable. Some types are relatively small and easily concealed. This equipment should be inventoried regularly to verify that it is still on the premises.

Business auto exposures may be limited to hired and non-ownership liability for employees running errands. Owned vehicles may be equipped for off-site production activities. If vehicles are provided to employees, there should be written procedures regarding personal use by employees and their family members. All drivers must have appropriate licenses and acceptable MVRs. Vehicles must be maintained, and records kept in a central location.

What Does Background Music Services Insurance Cover & Pay For?

Background Music Services can be sued for a variety of reasons, including copyright infringement, breach of contract, public performance violations, and other issues. Insurance policies, such as general liability, professional liability, and media liability, can help protect these businesses by covering the costs associated with legal defense, settlements, and judgments. Here are some examples:

Copyright Infringement: If a background music service provider is sued for using copyrighted music without proper licensing, they may face legal consequences. Media liability insurance can help cover the costs of legal defense, settlements, and judgments related to copyright infringement claims.

Breach of Contract: If a client claims the music service provider has failed to deliver on the agreed-upon services, they might file a lawsuit. Professional liability insurance, also known as errors and omissions (E&O) insurance, can help cover legal expenses, settlements, and judgments related to breach of contract claims.

Public Performance Violations: If a business using a background music service is sued for not having the appropriate public performance licenses, the music service provider may be held liable. Media liability insurance can help cover the costs of legal defense, settlements, and judgments related to public performance violations.

Defamation or Invasion of Privacy: If a music service is accused of using music that defames someone or invades their privacy, they might face a lawsuit. Media liability insurance can help cover legal expenses, settlements, and judgments related to defamation and invasion of privacy claims.

Technical Errors: If a technical error in the music service causes disruptions or damages to a client's business, they might sue the service provider. Professional liability insurance can help cover the costs of legal defense, settlements, and judgments related to technical error claims.

In all these cases, having the appropriate insurance coverage can help protect background music service providers from financial losses associated with lawsuits. It's essential for these businesses to assess their specific risks and consult with an insurance professional to determine the right coverage for their needs.

Commercial Insurance And Business Industry Classification

• SIC CODE: 7389 Business Services, Not Elsewhere Classified
• NAICS CODE: 512290 Other Sound Recording Industries
• Suggested Workers Compensation Code(s): 8810 Clerical Office Employees NOC, 8742 Salespersons or Collectors - Outside

7389: Business Services, Not Elsewhere Classified

Division I: Services | Major Group 73: Business Services | Industry Group 738: Miscellaneous Business Services

7389 Business Services, Not Elsewhere Classified: Establishments primarily engaged in furnishing business services, not elsewhere classified, such as bondspersons, drafting services, lecture bureaus, notaries public, sign painting, speakers' bureaus, water softening services, and auctioneering services, on a commission or fee basis. Auctions of used cars and agricultural commodities, such as livestock and produce, are classified in Wholesale Trade.

• Agents and brokers for authors and nonperforming artist
• Apparel pressing service for the trade
• Appraisers, except real estate appraisers
• Arbitration and conciliation services
• Artists' agents and brokers, except performing artists
• Auctioneering service on a commission or fee basis
• Authors' agents and brokers
• Automobile recovery service
• Automobile repossession service
• Automobile shows, flower shows, and home shows: promoters of
• Bartering services for businesses
• Batik work (handprinting on textiles)
• Bondspersons
• Bottle exchanges
• Bronzing baby shoes
• Business brokers (buying and selling business enterprises)
• Charge account service (shopping plates) collection by individual
• Check validation service
• Cloth: cutting to length, bolting, or winding for textile distributors
• Contractors' disbursement control
• Convention bureaus
• Convention decorators
• Copyright protection service
• Correct time service
• Cosmetic kits, assembling and packaging
• Cotton inspection service, not connected with transportation
• Cotton sampler service
• Coupon redemption service, except trading stamps
• Credit card service (collection by individual firms)
• Decoration service for special events
• Demonstration service, separate from sale
• Directories, telephone: distribution on a contract or fee basis
• Divers, commercial
• Drafting service, except temporary help
• Drawback service, customs
• Drive-a-way automobile service
• Embroidering of advertising on shirts, etc.
• Engrossing, e.g., diplomas and resolutions
• Exhibits, building of: by industrial contractors
• Field warehousing, not public warehousing
• Filling pressure containers (aerosol) with hair spray, insecticides, etc.
• Fire extinguishers, service of
• Firefighting service, other than forestry or public
• Flagging service (traffic control)
• Floats, decoration of
• Florists' telegraph service
• Folding and refolding service: textile and apparel
• Fundraising on a contract or fee basis
• Gas systems, contract conversion from manufactured to natural gas
• Handtool designers
• Handwriting analysis
• Hosiery pairing on a contract or fee basis
• Hotel reservation service
• Identification engraving service
• Inspection of commodities, not connected with transportation
• Interior decorating consulting service, except painters and paper
• Interior designing service, except painters and paper hangers
• Inventory computing service
• Labeling bottles, cans, cartons, etc. for the trade: not printing
• Laminating of photographs (coating photographs with plastics)
• Lecture bureaus
• Lettering service
• Liquidators of merchandise on a contract or fee basis
• Mannequin decorating service
• Map drafting service
• Mapmaking, including aerial
• Message service, telephone answering except beeper service
• Metal slitting and shearing on a contract or fee basis
• Meter readers, remote
• Microfilm recording and developing service
• Mounting merchandise on cards on a contract or fee basis
• Music distribution systems, except coin-operated
• Notaries public
• Packaging and labeling service (not packing and crating)
• Paralegal service
• Parcel packing service (packaging)
• Patent brokers
• Patrol of electric transmission or gas lines
• Photogrammetric mapping service (not professional engineers)
• Photographic library service, still
• Photography brokers
• Pipeline and power line inspection services
• Playwrights' brokers
• Post office contract stations
• Presorting mail service
• Press clipping service
• Printed circuitry graphic layout
• Process serving service
• Produce weighing service, not connected with transportation
• Product sterilization service
• Promoters of home shows and flower shows
• Racetrack cleaning, except buildings
• Radio broadcasting music checkers
• Radio transcription service
• Recording studios on a contract or fee basis
• Redemption of trading stamps
• Repossession service
• Restaurant reservation service
• Rug binding for the trade
• Safety inspection service, except automotive
• Salvaging of damaged merchandise, not engaged in sales
• Sampling of commodities, not connected with transportation
• Scrap steel cutting on a contract or fee basis
• Shoe designers
• Showcard painting
• Shrinking textiles for tailors and dressmakers
• Sign painting and lettering shops
• Solvents recovery service on a contract or fee basis
• Speakers' bureaus
• Sponging textiles for tailors and dressmakers
• Styling of fashions, apparel, furniture, and textiles
• Styling wigs for the trade
• Swimming pool cleaning and maintenance
• Switchboard operation of private branch exchanges
• Tape slitting for the trade (cutting plastics, leather, etc. into widths)
• Tax collection agencies: collecting for a city, county, or State
• Tax title dealers: agencies for city, county, or State
• Telemarketing (telephone marketing) service on a contract or fee basis
• Telephone answering, except beeper service
• Telephone solicitation service on a contract or fee basis
• Textile designers
• Textile folding and packing services
• Time-share condominium exchanges
• Tobacco sheeting service on a contract or fee basis
• Tourist information bureaus
• Trade show arrangement
• Trading stamp promotion and sale to stores
• Trading stamp redemption
• Translation service
• Water softener service
• Weighing foods and other commodities not connected with
• Welcoming service
• Window trimming service
• Yacht brokers

Background Music Services Insurance - The Bottom Line

To protect your business, employees and clients, having the right background music services insurance coverage is essential. To learn what types of policy options are available to you, how much coverage you should have and the costs - speak to a reputable commercial insurance broker.

Additional Resources For Professional Services Insurance

Get informed about small business professional services insurance, including Professional liability, aka errors and omissions (E&O insurance), that protects your business against claims that a professional service you provided caused your client financial loss.

• Accounting
• Actuaries
• Answering Service
• Architects
• Armored Car
• Attorney Lawyer
• Auctioneer
• Auditor
• Background Music Services
• Bookkeeping
• Business Consulting
• Chemical Engineers
• Civil Engineers
• Claims Adjuster
• Commercial Laundries
• Commodity Broker
• Corporate Wellness
• Couriers
• Court Reporter
• Credit Bureaus
• Debt Collection Agency
• Draftsman
• Detective Agency
• Diaper Services
• Electrical Engineering
• Engineering
• Environmental Consultant
• Executive, Career & Life Coaching
• Executive Search Firm
• Expert Witness
• Financial Planner
• Financial Services
• Funeral Directors
• HR Consultant
• Inspection Bureaus
• Insurance Agents & Brokers Insurance
• Interpreter
• Mediator - Arbitrator
• Medical Billing
• Music, Drama & Dance Therapy
• Notary
• Office Machine Repair & Maintenance
• Piano Tuners
• Project Management
• Safety Consultants
• Speakers Bureaus
• Stockbrokers
• Surveyor
• Tax Preparer
• Temporary Staffing
• Title Abstractors
• Valet Parking
• Specialty Consultants
• Specialty Service Business

The professional services industry, which includes occupations such as lawyers, doctors, accountants, and architects, often deals with sensitive and complex issues that carry a high risk of liability. These professionals are expected to provide their clients with expert advice and guidance, and any mistakes or oversights can result in significant financial consequences for both the client and the professional. This is where insurance comes into play.

Business insurance provides protection against the financial repercussions of potential mistakes or accidents that may occur while providing professional services. For example, a lawyer may make an error in their legal representation that leads to a financial loss for their client. Without insurance, the lawyer would be personally responsible for covering the cost of this loss. Insurance helps to protect professionals from these types of financial burdens and allows them to focus on providing high-quality services to their clients.

In addition to protecting against financial losses, commercial insurance can also provide legal defense for professionals facing legal action as a result of their work. This can be especially important for professionals in high-stress or high-risk fields, such as doctors or architects, who may be at a higher risk of being sued for professional negligence.

Overall, the professional services industry needs insurance to protect against financial losses and legal action, ensuring that professionals can continue to provide high-quality services to their clients without the added stress and burden of potential financial consequences.

Minimum recommended small business insurance coverage: Business Personal Property, Employee Dishonesty, Accounts Receivable, Computers, Valuable Papers and Records, General Liability, Employee Benefits Liability, Professional Liability, Umbrella Liability, Hired and Non-owned Auto Liability & Workers Compensation.

Other commercial insurance policies to consider: Building, Business Income with Extra Expense, Earthquake, Equipment Breakdown, Flood, Computer Fraud, Forgery, Money and Securities, Special Floater, Cyber Liability, Employment-related Practices Liability, Business Auto Liability and Physical Damage and Stop Gap Liability.