{"ab":false,"abStatus":null,"abTestId":null,"abVariation":false,"abVariationAutomated":false,"absoluteUrl":"https://www.frontrowinsurance.com/articles/4-easy-steps-to-reading-an-insurance-policy","afterPostBody":null,"aifeatures":null,"allowedSlugConflict":false,"analytics":null,"analyticsPageId":"3152843082","analyticsPageType":"blog-post","approvalStatus":null,"archived":false,"archivedAt":0,"archivedInDashboard":false,"areCommentsAllowed":true,"attachedStylesheets":[],"audienceAccess":"PUBLIC","author":null,"authorName":null,"authorUsername":null,"blogAuthor":{"avatar":"","bio":"","cdnPurgeEmbargoTime":null,"cosObjectType":"BLOG_AUTHOR","created":1436390002681,"deletedAt":0,"displayName":"Steve Beatty","email":"","facebook":"","fullName":"Steve Beatty","gravatarUrl":null,"hasSocialProfiles":false,"id":3094986678,"label":"Steve Beatty","language":null,"linkedin":"","name":"Steve Beatty","portalId":61352,"slug":"steve-beatty","translatedFromId":null,"translations":{},"twitter":"","twitterUsername":"","updated":1666901692231,"userId":null,"username":null,"website":""},"blogAuthorId":3094986678,"blogPostAuthor":{"avatar":"","bio":"","cdnPurgeEmbargoTime":null,"cosObjectType":"BLOG_AUTHOR","created":1436390002681,"deletedAt":0,"displayName":"Steve Beatty","email":"","facebook":"","fullName":"Steve Beatty","gravatarUrl":null,"hasSocialProfiles":false,"id":3094986678,"label":"Steve Beatty","language":null,"linkedin":"","name":"Steve Beatty","portalId":61352,"slug":"steve-beatty","translatedFromId":null,"translations":{},"twitter":"","twitterUsername":"","updated":1666901692231,"userId":null,"username":null,"website":""},"blogPostScheduleTaskUid":null,"blogPublishInstantEmailCampaignId":null,"blogPublishInstantEmailRetryCount":null,"blogPublishInstantEmailTaskUid":"DONE","blogPublishToSocialMediaTask":"DONE_NOT_SENT","blueprintTypeId":0,"businessUnitId":null,"campaign":"6f77bc1b-2d71-4038-84e4-3bd692e74077","campaignName":"SOLO","campaignUtm":"SOLO","category":3,"categoryId":3,"cdnPurgeEmbargoTime":null,"checkPostLevelAudienceAccessFirst":true,"clonedFrom":null,"composeBody":null,"compositionId":0,"contentAccessRuleIds":[],"contentAccessRuleTypes":[],"contentGroup":952267656,"contentGroupId":952267656,"contentTypeCategory":3,"contentTypeCategoryId":3,"contentTypeId":null,"created":1437670117000,"createdByAgent":null,"createdById":116304,"createdTime":1437670117000,"crmObjectId":null,"css":{},"cssText":"","ctaClicks":null,"ctaViews":null,"currentState":"PUBLISHED","currentlyPublished":true,"deletedAt":0,"deletedBy":null,"deletedByEmail":null,"deletedById":null,"domain":"","dynamicPageDataSourceId":null,"dynamicPageDataSourceType":null,"dynamicPageHubDbTableId":null,"enableDomainStylesheets":null,"enableGoogleAmpOutputOverride":false,"enableLayoutStylesheets":null,"errors":[],"featuredImage":"http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/61352/file-1310504050-jpg/Weather_banner.jpg","featuredImageAltText":"theatre insurance policy","featuredImageHeight":260,"featuredImageLength":0,"featuredImageWidth":1145,"flexAreas":{},"folderId":null,"footerHtml":null,"freezeDate":1437683880000,"generateJsonLdEnabledOverride":true,"hasContentAccessRules":false,"hasUserChanges":true,"headHtml":null,"header":null,"htmlTitle":"4 Easy Steps To Reading A Theatre Insurance Policy","id":3152843082,"includeDefaultCustomCss":null,"isCaptchaRequired":true,"isCrawlableByBots":false,"isDraft":false,"isInstanceLayoutPage":false,"isInstantEmailEnabled":true,"isPublished":true,"isSocialPublishingEnabled":false,"keywords":[{"keyword":"insurance for theatre","keyword_guid":"910a011c-0e36-464a-aab4-c40cea674a29"},{"keyword":"liability insurance for theatre","keyword_guid":"9ac4b605-ecf3-4cce-aea7-977bbd62f814"},{"keyword":"insurance for theatre companies","keyword_guid":"28ec102a-7852-440c-ab0c-ec7a07cd9bb7"},{"keyword":"theatre rental insurance","keyword_guid":"8bd04d1c-6645-4799-ba8f-b9b4ddbbcfdb"},{"keyword":"theatre insurance","keyword_guid":"8b42ba58-7dcf-4ec5-9a74-90e6b33cbe49"}],"label":"<span id=\"hs_cos_wrapper_name\" class=\"hs_cos_wrapper hs_cos_wrapper_meta_field hs_cos_wrapper_type_text\" style=\"\" data-hs-cos-general-type=\"meta_field\" data-hs-cos-type=\"text\" >4 Easy Steps To Reading A Theatre Insurance Policy</span>","language":"en","lastEditSessionId":null,"lastEditUpdateId":null,"layoutSections":{},"legacyBlogTabid":null,"legacyId":null,"legacyPostGuid":null,"linkRelCanonicalUrl":null,"listTemplate":"prox_frontrow/templates/blog/blog-listing.html","liveDomain":"www.frontrowinsurance.com","mab":false,"mabExperimentId":null,"mabMaster":false,"mabVariant":false,"meta":{"meta_description":"4 easy steps to reading a theatre insurance policy. Feel more comfortable with the policy you are buying. Theatre insurance broker, Front Row Insurance.","author_username":"mike@frontrowinsurance.com","blog_publish_instant_email_task_uid":"DONE","use_featured_image":true,"topic_ids":[3131630093],"author_user_id":313859,"rss_summary":"<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\"><strong>“You got it buddy, the large print giveth and the small print taketh away”<br></strong></span><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\"><strong>― Tom Waits, <em>Step</em><em> Right Up</em></strong></span></p>\n","featured_image":"http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/61352/file-1310504050-jpg/Weather_banner.jpg","keywords":[{"keyword":"insurance for theatre","keyword_guid":"910a011c-0e36-464a-aab4-c40cea674a29"},{"keyword":"liability insurance for theatre","keyword_guid":"9ac4b605-ecf3-4cce-aea7-977bbd62f814"},{"keyword":"insurance for theatre companies","keyword_guid":"28ec102a-7852-440c-ab0c-ec7a07cd9bb7"},{"keyword":"theatre rental insurance","keyword_guid":"8bd04d1c-6645-4799-ba8f-b9b4ddbbcfdb"},{"keyword":"theatre insurance","keyword_guid":"8b42ba58-7dcf-4ec5-9a74-90e6b33cbe49"}],"campaign_name":"SOLO","post_summary":"<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\"><strong>“You got it buddy, the large print giveth and the small print taketh away”<br></strong></span><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\"><strong>― Tom Waits, <em>Step</em><em> Right Up</em></strong></span></p>\n","has_user_changes":true,"html_title":"4 Easy Steps To Reading A Theatre Insurance Policy","post_body":"\n\n\n\n <span id=\"hs_cos_wrapper_post_body\" class=\"hs_cos_wrapper hs_cos_wrapper_meta_field hs_cos_wrapper_type_rich_text\" style=\"\" data-hs-cos-general-type=\"meta_field\" data-hs-cos-type=\"rich_text\" ><p style=\"text-align: right;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\"><strong>“You got it buddy, the large print giveth and the small print taketh away”<br></strong></span><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\"><strong>― Tom Waits, <em>Step</em><em> Right Up</em></strong></span></p>\n<!--more--><p>In the nearly 30 years I’ve been a <a href=\"/theatre-insurance\">theatre insurance</a> broker, I’ve read many theatre insurance policies. Over those years, I’ve adopted an approach to help me determine what’s covered and what’s not, relatively quickly.</p>\n<p>In today’s post, I thought I would share these very simple tips with you. They will make you feel more comfortable with the policy you are buying and help you form better questions when discussing the coverage with your broker or dealing with a claim.</p>\n<p>Before we begin, it’s important to know there are four essential parts of any <a href=\"http://www.frontrowinsurance.com/live-theatre-insurance\">Theatre Insurance Policy</a>. For the purpose of this discussion, I will be referring to a \"Broad Form\" type of policy<span style=\"font-style: italic;\"> (often referred to as an ‘All Risks’ policy; a terrible name by the way, as I’ve yet to see a policy that covers everything!)</span> This type of policy has become the most common in the industry and is generally considered a broader form of coverage than a ‘Specified or Named Perils’ policy. Broad Form policies outline what type of claims you will <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">NOT</span> be insured against; whereas, a Specified Perils policy outlines the types of claims which are insured by the policy.</p>\n<p>So here we go:</p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Start with the Insuring Agreement:</strong> it’s here that the insurance company tells you what they are insuring. These are generally short and you will see certain words identified with italics, or bold or capitalized letters; policies will use this as a way of telling the reader that these words have a broader meaning which are defined elsewhere in the policy, usually under a section titled Definitions;</li>\n<li><strong>Move on to the Definitions:</strong> Definitions broaden a single word or words beyond the common-use meaning, to define what it means in your policy. For example, the word ‘Insured’, may be broadened to include your corporation, employees, officers, volunteers, shareholders, etc. Using Definitions makes reading the policy less repetitive and easier to read. Sometimes a definition will also tell what it <em>doesn’t</em> mean, so watch that.</li>\n<li><strong>Now, read the Exclusions:</strong> It is here where your coverage is shaped and the insurance company tells you what will NOT be covered by your policy. Some insurance companies have this under a section referred to as ‘What’s Not Covered’, or ‘Causes of Loss Not Covered’. Often I’m asked the question, “So what are we covered for?” While this is a great question, to me it’s more important to know what you are NOT covered for as it there where the surprises live. This is why I read the Exclusions. Sometimes you will find there are exclusions specific to certain sections of your policy, and then there are some known as General Exclusions which apply to your ENTIRE policy. If you see an exclusion that you don’t like or you feel it too greatly restricts your coverage, be sure to raise this with your broker. Some exclusions can be removed by paying an additional premium for the added coverage<strong>.</strong></li>\n<li><strong>And finally, look for ‘Endorsements’:</strong> these are used by insurance companies to modify their standard policies. They can broaden or restrict your coverage. They can usually be found listed in the front section of your policy known as your ‘Policy Declarations’.These are the front sheets on your policy where the insurance company lists your insured amounts, deductibles and premiums.</li>\n</ol>\n<p>There will be other parts of the policy called Statutory Conditions and General Conditions. While these are important, they are generally common to most policies and can be read once you have tackled the parts I’ve listed above.</p>\n<p>And one final tip: when it comes to making a claim under a Broad Form policy, it is your insurance company that has the responsibility to establish that one of the exclusions applies to your claim. Any ambiguity will be read in your favour as they were the ones who created the policy wording. By contrast a Named or Specified Perils policy requires YOU to demonstrate that your claim has resulted from one of the insured loss types specified in your policy.</p>\n<p>By using these 4 simple tips you will quickly be able to understand your policy, feel more comfortable with it, and be able to ask questions that may help broaden your insurance protection.</p>\n<h2 class=\"subheading\">We have an easy online low-cost insurance solution for Canadian producers who are renting theatre space and equipment for a short period:</h2>\n<p><span class=\"hs_cos_wrapper hs_cos_wrapper_widget hs_cos_wrapper_type_text\" data-hs-cos-general-type=\"widget\" data-hs-cos-type=\"text\"></span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span>Related:</span></h3>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/theatre-insurance-101\" rel=\" noopener\">THEATRE INSURANCE 101 / THEATRICAL INSURANCE / PERFORMING ARTS INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/theatre-insurance-reduce-the-potential-disaster-to-a-minor-inconvenience\" rel=\" noopener\">MAKE A POTENTIAL DISASTER A MINOR INCONVENIENCE / THEATRE INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/british-pantomime-and-theatre-insurance\" rel=\" noopener\">BRITISH PANTOMIME AND THEATRE INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/infamous-stage-disasters-insurance-considerations\" rel=\" noopener\">FAMOUS STAGE DISASTERS / THEATRE INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/theatre-insurance\" rel=\" noopener\">THEATRE INSURANCE - VENUES AND GROUPS / THEATRE COMPANY INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\">4 EASY STEPS TO READING A THEATRE INSURANCE POLICY</p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/...but-isnt-the-circus-supposed-to-be-dangerous\" rel=\" noopener\">CIRCUS INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/circus-acrobatics-aerial-actone\" rel=\" noopener\">AERIAL INSURANCE / AERIAL ARTS INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/dance-performance-insurance-venues-and-groups\" rel=\" noopener\">DANCE INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/opera-insurance-performance-venues-and-groups\" rel=\" noopener\">OPERA INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/en-ca/theatre-dance-and-opera-insurance\" rel=\" noopener\">ACTONE INSURANCE / PERFORMERS INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/the-directors-and-officers-insurance-experts-for-arts-groups\" rel=\" noopener\">DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS (D&amp;O) INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/cast-insurance-for-live-performances-making-the-decision-before-you-have-a-deal\" rel=\" noopener\">CAST INSURANCE FOR LIVE PERFORMERS</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/articles/bid/25404/insurance-for-body-parts\" rel=\" noopener\">INSURANCE FOR BODY PARTS / BODY PART INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/en-ca/arts-educators\" rel=\" noopener\">PROTÉGÉ: CUSTOM INSURANCE FOR ART SCHOOLS AND ARTS EDUCATORS</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/safeguarding-your-students-art-school-part1\" rel=\" noopener\">SAFEGUARDING YOUR STUDENTS WITH ART SCHOOL INSURANCE PART 1</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/safeguarding-your-students-art-school-part2\" rel=\" noopener\">SAFEGUARDING YOUR STUDENTS WITH ART SCHOOL INSURANCE PART 2</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/intimacy-directors-in-the-theatre-world\" rel=\" noopener\">INTIMACY COACHES IN THE THEATRE WORLD / INTIMACY DIRECTORS</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/short-term-theatre-insurance-now-available-online\" rel=\" noopener\">SHORT-TERM THEATRE INSURANCE / PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE FOR PERFORMERS</a></p></span>\n","publish_immediately":false,"author_email":"mike@frontrowinsurance.com","rss_body":"<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\"><strong>“You got it buddy, the large print giveth and the small print taketh away”<br></strong></span><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\"><strong>― Tom Waits, <em>Step</em><em> Right Up</em></strong></span></p>\n<!--more--><p>In the nearly 30 years I’ve been a <a href=\"/theatre-insurance\">theatre insurance</a> broker, I’ve read many theatre insurance policies. Over those years, I’ve adopted an approach to help me determine what’s covered and what’s not, relatively quickly.</p>\n<p>In today’s post, I thought I would share these very simple tips with you. They will make you feel more comfortable with the policy you are buying and help you form better questions when discussing the coverage with your broker or dealing with a claim.</p>\n<p>Before we begin, it’s important to know there are four essential parts of any <a href=\"http://www.frontrowinsurance.com/live-theatre-insurance\">Theatre Insurance Policy</a>. For the purpose of this discussion, I will be referring to a \"Broad Form\" type of policy<span style=\"font-style: italic;\"> (often referred to as an ‘All Risks’ policy; a terrible name by the way, as I’ve yet to see a policy that covers everything!)</span> This type of policy has become the most common in the industry and is generally considered a broader form of coverage than a ‘Specified or Named Perils’ policy. Broad Form policies outline what type of claims you will <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">NOT</span> be insured against; whereas, a Specified Perils policy outlines the types of claims which are insured by the policy.</p>\n<p>So here we go:</p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Start with the Insuring Agreement:</strong> it’s here that the insurance company tells you what they are insuring. These are generally short and you will see certain words identified with italics, or bold or capitalized letters; policies will use this as a way of telling the reader that these words have a broader meaning which are defined elsewhere in the policy, usually under a section titled Definitions;</li>\n<li><strong>Move on to the Definitions:</strong> Definitions broaden a single word or words beyond the common-use meaning, to define what it means in your policy. For example, the word ‘Insured’, may be broadened to include your corporation, employees, officers, volunteers, shareholders, etc. Using Definitions makes reading the policy less repetitive and easier to read. Sometimes a definition will also tell what it <em>doesn’t</em> mean, so watch that.</li>\n<li><strong>Now, read the Exclusions:</strong> It is here where your coverage is shaped and the insurance company tells you what will NOT be covered by your policy. Some insurance companies have this under a section referred to as ‘What’s Not Covered’, or ‘Causes of Loss Not Covered’. Often I’m asked the question, “So what are we covered for?” While this is a great question, to me it’s more important to know what you are NOT covered for as it there where the surprises live. This is why I read the Exclusions. Sometimes you will find there are exclusions specific to certain sections of your policy, and then there are some known as General Exclusions which apply to your ENTIRE policy. If you see an exclusion that you don’t like or you feel it too greatly restricts your coverage, be sure to raise this with your broker. Some exclusions can be removed by paying an additional premium for the added coverage<strong>.</strong></li>\n<li><strong>And finally, look for ‘Endorsements’:</strong> these are used by insurance companies to modify their standard policies. They can broaden or restrict your coverage. They can usually be found listed in the front section of your policy known as your ‘Policy Declarations’.These are the front sheets on your policy where the insurance company lists your insured amounts, deductibles and premiums.</li>\n</ol>\n<p>There will be other parts of the policy called Statutory Conditions and General Conditions. While these are important, they are generally common to most policies and can be read once you have tackled the parts I’ve listed above.</p>\n<p>And one final tip: when it comes to making a claim under a Broad Form policy, it is your insurance company that has the responsibility to establish that one of the exclusions applies to your claim. Any ambiguity will be read in your favour as they were the ones who created the policy wording. By contrast a Named or Specified Perils policy requires YOU to demonstrate that your claim has resulted from one of the insured loss types specified in your policy.</p>\n<p>By using these 4 simple tips you will quickly be able to understand your policy, feel more comfortable with it, and be able to ask questions that may help broaden your insurance protection.</p>\n<h2 class=\"subheading\">We have an easy online low-cost insurance solution for Canadian producers who are renting theatre space and equipment for a short period:</h2>\n<p><span class=\"hs_cos_wrapper hs_cos_wrapper_widget hs_cos_wrapper_type_text\" data-hs-cos-general-type=\"widget\" data-hs-cos-type=\"text\"></span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span>Related:</span></h3>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/theatre-insurance-101\" rel=\" noopener\">THEATRE INSURANCE 101 / THEATRICAL INSURANCE / PERFORMING ARTS INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/theatre-insurance-reduce-the-potential-disaster-to-a-minor-inconvenience\" rel=\" noopener\">MAKE A POTENTIAL DISASTER A MINOR INCONVENIENCE / THEATRE INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/british-pantomime-and-theatre-insurance\" rel=\" noopener\">BRITISH PANTOMIME AND THEATRE INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/infamous-stage-disasters-insurance-considerations\" rel=\" noopener\">FAMOUS STAGE DISASTERS / THEATRE INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/theatre-insurance\" rel=\" noopener\">THEATRE INSURANCE - VENUES AND GROUPS / THEATRE COMPANY INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\">4 EASY STEPS TO READING A THEATRE INSURANCE POLICY</p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/...but-isnt-the-circus-supposed-to-be-dangerous\" rel=\" noopener\">CIRCUS INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/circus-acrobatics-aerial-actone\" rel=\" noopener\">AERIAL INSURANCE / AERIAL ARTS INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/dance-performance-insurance-venues-and-groups\" rel=\" noopener\">DANCE INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/opera-insurance-performance-venues-and-groups\" rel=\" noopener\">OPERA INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/en-ca/theatre-dance-and-opera-insurance\" rel=\" noopener\">ACTONE INSURANCE / PERFORMERS INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/the-directors-and-officers-insurance-experts-for-arts-groups\" rel=\" noopener\">DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS (D&amp;O) INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/cast-insurance-for-live-performances-making-the-decision-before-you-have-a-deal\" rel=\" noopener\">CAST INSURANCE FOR LIVE PERFORMERS</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/articles/bid/25404/insurance-for-body-parts\" rel=\" noopener\">INSURANCE FOR BODY PARTS / BODY PART INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/en-ca/arts-educators\" rel=\" noopener\">PROTÉGÉ: CUSTOM INSURANCE FOR ART SCHOOLS AND ARTS EDUCATORS</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/safeguarding-your-students-art-school-part1\" rel=\" noopener\">SAFEGUARDING YOUR STUDENTS WITH ART SCHOOL INSURANCE PART 1</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/safeguarding-your-students-art-school-part2\" rel=\" noopener\">SAFEGUARDING YOUR STUDENTS WITH ART SCHOOL INSURANCE PART 2</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/intimacy-directors-in-the-theatre-world\" rel=\" noopener\">INTIMACY COACHES IN THE THEATRE WORLD / INTIMACY DIRECTORS</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/short-term-theatre-insurance-now-available-online\" rel=\" noopener\">SHORT-TERM THEATRE INSURANCE / PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE FOR PERFORMERS</a></p>","placement_guids":["37f4346e-5d05-4f86-ab10-8804c1832bda"],"campaign_utm":"SOLO","css":{},"featured_image_alt_text":"theatre insurance policy","enable_google_amp_output_override":false,"css_text":"","last_edit_session_id":null,"last_edit_update_id":null,"tag_ids":[3131630093],"link_rel_canonical_url":null,"published_by_id":7915797,"published_at":1649859065986,"blog_publish_to_social_media_task":"DONE_NOT_SENT","head_html":null,"blog_post_schedule_task_uid":null,"scheduled_update_date":0,"featured_image_width":1145,"featured_image_height":260,"header":null},"metaDescription":"4 easy steps to reading a theatre insurance policy. Feel more comfortable with the policy you are buying. Theatre insurance broker, Front Row Insurance.","metaKeywords":null,"name":"<span id=\"hs_cos_wrapper_name\" class=\"hs_cos_wrapper hs_cos_wrapper_meta_field hs_cos_wrapper_type_text\" style=\"\" data-hs-cos-general-type=\"meta_field\" data-hs-cos-type=\"text\" >4 Easy Steps To Reading A Theatre Insurance Policy</span>","nextPostFeaturedImage":"https://61352.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/61352/Sarah.jpg","nextPostFeaturedImageAltText":"Sarah Jones: film set safety","nextPostName":"How did what happened to Sarah Jones change the film industry?","nextPostSlug":"articles/sarah-jones-film-industry-safety","pageExpiryDate":null,"pageExpiryEnabled":null,"pageExpiryRedirectId":null,"pageExpiryRedirectUrl":null,"pageRedirected":false,"pageTitle":"4 Easy Steps To Reading A Theatre Insurance Policy","parentBlog":{"absoluteUrl":"https://www.frontrowinsurance.com/articles","allowComments":true,"ampBodyColor":"#404040","ampBodyFont":"'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif","ampBodyFontSize":"18","ampCustomCss":"","ampHeaderBackgroundColor":"#ffffff","ampHeaderColor":"#1e1e1e","ampHeaderFont":"'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif","ampHeaderFontSize":"36","ampLinkColor":"#416bb3","ampLogoAlt":"Front Row Insurance logo","ampLogoHeight":63,"ampLogoSrc":"https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/61352/front-row-logo.png","ampLogoWidth":175,"analyticsPageId":137640,"attachedStylesheets":[],"audienceAccess":"PUBLIC","businessUnitId":null,"captchaAfterDays":7,"captchaAlways":false,"categoryId":3,"cdnPurgeEmbargoTime":null,"closeCommentsOlder":0,"commentDateFormat":"medium","commentFormGuid":"7a447743-bbf2-4b55-a759-b405bf392a7d","commentMaxThreadDepth":3,"commentModeration":true,"commentNotificationEmails":["mike@frontrowinsurance.com","grant@frontrowinsurance.com"],"commentShouldCreateContact":true,"commentVerificationText":"","cosObjectType":"BLOG","created":1401900293000,"createdDateTime":1401900293000,"dailyNotificationEmailId":"952268096","dateFormattingLanguage":"en_US","defaultGroupStyleId":"","defaultNotificationFromName":"","defaultNotificationReplyTo":"","deletedAt":0,"description":"The Front Row Insurance Blog where you can learn and converse about all things entertainment insurance related.","domain":"","domainWhenPublished":"www.frontrowinsurance.com","emailApiSubscriptionId":283237,"enableGoogleAmpOutput":true,"enableSocialAutoPublishing":false,"generateJsonLdEnabled":false,"header":null,"htmlFooter":"<!-- DELTA-->","htmlFooterIsShared":false,"htmlHead":"<!-- Blog Schema by Front Row Insurance // https://www.frontrowinsurance.com/ -->\n\n<script type=\"application/ld+json\">\n {\n \"@context\": \"http://schema.org\",\n \"@type\": \"BlogPosting\",\n \"mainEntityOfPage\":{\n \"@type\":\"WebPage\",\n \"@id\":\"https://www.frontrowinsurance.com/articles/4-easy-steps-to-reading-an-insurance-policy\"\n },\n \"headline\": \"4 Easy Steps To Reading A Theatre Insurance Policy\",\n \"image\": {\n \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n \"url\": \"http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/61352/file-1310504050-jpg/Weather_banner.jpg\"\n },\n \"datePublished\": \"2015-07-23 20:38:00\",\n \"dateModified\": \"\",\n \"author\": {\n \"@type\": \"Person\",\n \"name\": \"') }}\"\n },\n \"publisher\": {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"FRONT ROW INSURANCE BROKERS\",\n \"logo\": {\n \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n \"url\": \"https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/61352/images/Logos/FR_logo_%5BConverted,-Inverted%5D.png\"\n }\n },\n \"description\": \"4 easy steps to reading a theatre insurance policy. Feel more comfortable with the policy you are buying. Theatre insurance broker, Front Row Insurance.\"\n }\n </script>\n <!-- End Schema --> \n<script type=\"text/javascript\">\n window._mNHandle = window._mNHandle || {};\n window._mNHandle.queue = window._mNHandle.queue || [];\n medianet_versionId = \"3121199\";\n</script>\n<script src=\"https://contextual.media.net/dmedianet.js?cid=8CU76IWTZ\" async=\"async\"></script>","htmlHeadIsShared":true,"htmlKeywords":["Front Row Insurance Blog"," entertainment blog"," film blog"," film insurance"," event insurance"," film festival blog"," production blog"," musicians blog"," "],"htmlTitle":"The Front Row View (entertainment insurance blog)","id":952267656,"ilsSubscriptionListsByType":{"daily":443,"instant":442,"monthly":441,"weekly":444},"instantNotificationEmailId":"952268061","itemLayoutId":null,"itemTemplateIsShared":false,"itemTemplatePath":"prox_frontrow/templates/blog/blog-post.html","label":"The Front Row View (entertainment insurance blog)","language":"en","legacyGuid":"469ce2ec-4dd9-442d-984a-3bab2557a02f","legacyModuleId":"164112","legacyTabId":137640,"listingLayoutId":null,"listingPageId":70026589976,"listingTemplatePath":"prox_frontrow/templates/blog/blog-listing.html","liveDomain":"www.frontrowinsurance.com","monthFilterFormat":"MMMM yyyy","monthlyNotificationEmailId":"952267981","name":"The Front Row View (entertainment insurance blog)","parentBlogUpdateTaskId":null,"portalId":61352,"postHtmlFooter":"<!-- OMEGA-->","postHtmlHead":"<!-- Blog Schema by Front Row Insurance // https://www.frontrowinsurance.com/ -->\n\n<script type=\"application/ld+json\">\n {\n \"@context\": \"http://schema.org\",\n \"@type\": \"BlogPosting\",\n \"mainEntityOfPage\":{\n \"@type\":\"WebPage\",\n \"@id\":\"https://www.frontrowinsurance.com/articles/4-easy-steps-to-reading-an-insurance-policy\"\n },\n \"headline\": \"4 Easy Steps To Reading A Theatre Insurance Policy\",\n \"image\": {\n \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n \"url\": \"http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/61352/file-1310504050-jpg/Weather_banner.jpg\"\n },\n \"datePublished\": \"2015-07-23 20:38:00\",\n \"dateModified\": \"\",\n \"author\": {\n \"@type\": \"Person\",\n \"name\": \"') }}\"\n },\n \"publisher\": {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"FRONT ROW INSURANCE BROKERS\",\n \"logo\": {\n \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n \"url\": \"https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/61352/images/Logos/FR_logo_%5BConverted,-Inverted%5D.png\"\n }\n },\n \"description\": \"4 easy steps to reading a theatre insurance policy. Feel more comfortable with the policy you are buying. Theatre insurance broker, Front Row Insurance.\"\n }\n </script>\n <!-- End Schema --> \n<script type=\"text/javascript\">\n window._mNHandle = window._mNHandle || {};\n window._mNHandle.queue = window._mNHandle.queue || [];\n medianet_versionId = \"3121199\";\n</script>\n<script src=\"https://contextual.media.net/dmedianet.js?cid=8CU76IWTZ\" async=\"async\"></script>","postsPerListingPage":10,"postsPerRssFeed":10,"publicAccessRules":[],"publicAccessRulesEnabled":false,"publicTitle":"The Front Row View (entertainment insurance blog)","publishDateFormat":"medium","resolvedDomain":"www.frontrowinsurance.com","rootUrl":"https://www.frontrowinsurance.com/articles","rssCustomFeed":"","rssDescription":"RSS feeds for ","rssItemFooter":"<IMG style=\"WIDTH: 144px; HEIGHT: 78px\" title=\"\" border=0 alt=\"\" align=center src=\"http://focusinsurance.web6.hubspot.com/Portals/61352/images//logo_final.jpg\" width=138 height=78 mce_src=\"/Portals/61352/images//logo_final.jpg\">","rssItemHeader":"","settingsOverrides":{"itemLayoutId":false,"itemTemplatePath":false,"itemTemplateIsShared":false,"listingLayoutId":false,"listingTemplatePath":false,"postsPerListingPage":false,"showSummaryInListing":false,"useFeaturedImageInSummary":false,"htmlHead":false,"postHtmlHead":false,"htmlHeadIsShared":false,"htmlFooter":false,"listingPageHtmlFooter":false,"postHtmlFooter":false,"htmlFooterIsShared":false,"attachedStylesheets":false,"postsPerRssFeed":false,"showSummaryInRss":false,"showSummaryInEmails":false,"showSummariesInEmails":false,"allowComments":false,"commentShouldCreateContact":false,"commentModeration":false,"closeCommentsOlder":false,"commentNotificationEmails":false,"commentMaxThreadDepth":false,"commentVerificationText":false,"socialAccountTwitter":false,"showSocialLinkTwitter":false,"showSocialLinkLinkedin":false,"showSocialLinkFacebook":false,"enableGoogleAmpOutput":false,"ampLogoSrc":false,"ampLogoHeight":false,"ampLogoWidth":false,"ampLogoAlt":false,"ampHeaderFont":false,"ampHeaderFontSize":false,"ampHeaderColor":false,"ampHeaderBackgroundColor":false,"ampBodyFont":false,"ampBodyFontSize":false,"ampBodyColor":false,"ampLinkColor":false,"generateJsonLdEnabled":false},"showSocialLinkFacebook":true,"showSocialLinkLinkedin":true,"showSocialLinkTwitter":true,"showSummaryInEmails":true,"showSummaryInListing":false,"showSummaryInRss":true,"siteId":0,"slug":"articles","socialAccountTwitter":"","state":null,"subscriptionContactsProperty":"blog_blog_the_front_row_view_subscription","subscriptionEmailType":null,"subscriptionFormGuid":"a2c254df-2214-4c54-bd51-46da1e3029fb","subscriptionListsByType":{"daily":12,"instant":11,"monthly":10,"weekly":13},"title":null,"translatedFromId":null,"translations":{"fr":{"absoluteUrl":"https://www.frontrowinsurance.com/fr/blogue","id":2471031463,"language":"fr","masterId":952267656,"name":"The Front Row View (entertainment insurance blog)","publicAccessRules":[],"publicAccessRulesEnabled":false,"slug":"fr/blogue"}},"updated":1693318083281,"updatedDateTime":1693318083281,"urlBase":"www.frontrowinsurance.com/articles","urlSegments":{},"useFeaturedImageInSummary":true,"usesDefaultTemplate":false,"weeklyNotificationEmailId":"952268106"},"password":null,"pastMabExperimentIds":[],"performableGuid":"","performableVariationLetter":null,"personas":[],"placementGuids":["37f4346e-5d05-4f86-ab10-8804c1832bda"],"portableKey":null,"portalId":61352,"position":null,"postBody":"\n\n\n\n <span id=\"hs_cos_wrapper_post_body\" class=\"hs_cos_wrapper hs_cos_wrapper_meta_field hs_cos_wrapper_type_rich_text\" style=\"\" data-hs-cos-general-type=\"meta_field\" data-hs-cos-type=\"rich_text\" ><p style=\"text-align: right;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\"><strong>“You got it buddy, the large print giveth and the small print taketh away”<br></strong></span><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\"><strong>― Tom Waits, <em>Step</em><em> Right Up</em></strong></span></p>\n<!--more--><p>In the nearly 30 years I’ve been a <a href=\"/theatre-insurance\">theatre insurance</a> broker, I’ve read many theatre insurance policies. Over those years, I’ve adopted an approach to help me determine what’s covered and what’s not, relatively quickly.</p>\n<p>In today’s post, I thought I would share these very simple tips with you. They will make you feel more comfortable with the policy you are buying and help you form better questions when discussing the coverage with your broker or dealing with a claim.</p>\n<p>Before we begin, it’s important to know there are four essential parts of any <a href=\"http://www.frontrowinsurance.com/live-theatre-insurance\">Theatre Insurance Policy</a>. For the purpose of this discussion, I will be referring to a \"Broad Form\" type of policy<span style=\"font-style: italic;\"> (often referred to as an ‘All Risks’ policy; a terrible name by the way, as I’ve yet to see a policy that covers everything!)</span> This type of policy has become the most common in the industry and is generally considered a broader form of coverage than a ‘Specified or Named Perils’ policy. Broad Form policies outline what type of claims you will <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">NOT</span> be insured against; whereas, a Specified Perils policy outlines the types of claims which are insured by the policy.</p>\n<p>So here we go:</p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Start with the Insuring Agreement:</strong> it’s here that the insurance company tells you what they are insuring. These are generally short and you will see certain words identified with italics, or bold or capitalized letters; policies will use this as a way of telling the reader that these words have a broader meaning which are defined elsewhere in the policy, usually under a section titled Definitions;</li>\n<li><strong>Move on to the Definitions:</strong> Definitions broaden a single word or words beyond the common-use meaning, to define what it means in your policy. For example, the word ‘Insured’, may be broadened to include your corporation, employees, officers, volunteers, shareholders, etc. Using Definitions makes reading the policy less repetitive and easier to read. Sometimes a definition will also tell what it <em>doesn’t</em> mean, so watch that.</li>\n<li><strong>Now, read the Exclusions:</strong> It is here where your coverage is shaped and the insurance company tells you what will NOT be covered by your policy. Some insurance companies have this under a section referred to as ‘What’s Not Covered’, or ‘Causes of Loss Not Covered’. Often I’m asked the question, “So what are we covered for?” While this is a great question, to me it’s more important to know what you are NOT covered for as it there where the surprises live. This is why I read the Exclusions. Sometimes you will find there are exclusions specific to certain sections of your policy, and then there are some known as General Exclusions which apply to your ENTIRE policy. If you see an exclusion that you don’t like or you feel it too greatly restricts your coverage, be sure to raise this with your broker. Some exclusions can be removed by paying an additional premium for the added coverage<strong>.</strong></li>\n<li><strong>And finally, look for ‘Endorsements’:</strong> these are used by insurance companies to modify their standard policies. They can broaden or restrict your coverage. They can usually be found listed in the front section of your policy known as your ‘Policy Declarations’.These are the front sheets on your policy where the insurance company lists your insured amounts, deductibles and premiums.</li>\n</ol>\n<p>There will be other parts of the policy called Statutory Conditions and General Conditions. While these are important, they are generally common to most policies and can be read once you have tackled the parts I’ve listed above.</p>\n<p>And one final tip: when it comes to making a claim under a Broad Form policy, it is your insurance company that has the responsibility to establish that one of the exclusions applies to your claim. Any ambiguity will be read in your favour as they were the ones who created the policy wording. By contrast a Named or Specified Perils policy requires YOU to demonstrate that your claim has resulted from one of the insured loss types specified in your policy.</p>\n<p>By using these 4 simple tips you will quickly be able to understand your policy, feel more comfortable with it, and be able to ask questions that may help broaden your insurance protection.</p>\n<h2 class=\"subheading\">We have an easy online low-cost insurance solution for Canadian producers who are renting theatre space and equipment for a short period:</h2>\n<p><span class=\"hs_cos_wrapper hs_cos_wrapper_widget hs_cos_wrapper_type_text\" data-hs-cos-general-type=\"widget\" data-hs-cos-type=\"text\"></span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span>Related:</span></h3>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/theatre-insurance-101\" rel=\" noopener\">THEATRE INSURANCE 101 / THEATRICAL INSURANCE / PERFORMING ARTS INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/theatre-insurance-reduce-the-potential-disaster-to-a-minor-inconvenience\" rel=\" noopener\">MAKE A POTENTIAL DISASTER A MINOR INCONVENIENCE / THEATRE INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/british-pantomime-and-theatre-insurance\" rel=\" noopener\">BRITISH PANTOMIME AND THEATRE INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/infamous-stage-disasters-insurance-considerations\" rel=\" noopener\">FAMOUS STAGE DISASTERS / THEATRE INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/theatre-insurance\" rel=\" noopener\">THEATRE INSURANCE - VENUES AND GROUPS / THEATRE COMPANY INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\">4 EASY STEPS TO READING A THEATRE INSURANCE POLICY</p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/...but-isnt-the-circus-supposed-to-be-dangerous\" rel=\" noopener\">CIRCUS INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/circus-acrobatics-aerial-actone\" rel=\" noopener\">AERIAL INSURANCE / AERIAL ARTS INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/dance-performance-insurance-venues-and-groups\" rel=\" noopener\">DANCE INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/opera-insurance-performance-venues-and-groups\" rel=\" noopener\">OPERA INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/en-ca/theatre-dance-and-opera-insurance\" rel=\" noopener\">ACTONE INSURANCE / PERFORMERS INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/the-directors-and-officers-insurance-experts-for-arts-groups\" rel=\" noopener\">DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS (D&amp;O) INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/cast-insurance-for-live-performances-making-the-decision-before-you-have-a-deal\" rel=\" noopener\">CAST INSURANCE FOR LIVE PERFORMERS</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/articles/bid/25404/insurance-for-body-parts\" rel=\" noopener\">INSURANCE FOR BODY PARTS / BODY PART INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/en-ca/arts-educators\" rel=\" noopener\">PROTÉGÉ: CUSTOM INSURANCE FOR ART SCHOOLS AND ARTS EDUCATORS</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/safeguarding-your-students-art-school-part1\" rel=\" noopener\">SAFEGUARDING YOUR STUDENTS WITH ART SCHOOL INSURANCE PART 1</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/safeguarding-your-students-art-school-part2\" rel=\" noopener\">SAFEGUARDING YOUR STUDENTS WITH ART SCHOOL INSURANCE PART 2</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/intimacy-directors-in-the-theatre-world\" rel=\" noopener\">INTIMACY COACHES IN THE THEATRE WORLD / INTIMACY DIRECTORS</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/short-term-theatre-insurance-now-available-online\" rel=\" noopener\">SHORT-TERM THEATRE INSURANCE / PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE FOR PERFORMERS</a></p></span>\n","postBodyRss":"<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\"><strong>“You got it buddy, the large print giveth and the small print taketh away”<br></strong></span><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\"><strong>― Tom Waits, <em>Step</em><em> Right Up</em></strong></span></p>\n<!--more--><p>In the nearly 30 years I’ve been a <a href=\"/theatre-insurance\">theatre insurance</a> broker, I’ve read many theatre insurance policies. Over those years, I’ve adopted an approach to help me determine what’s covered and what’s not, relatively quickly.</p>\n<p>In today’s post, I thought I would share these very simple tips with you. They will make you feel more comfortable with the policy you are buying and help you form better questions when discussing the coverage with your broker or dealing with a claim.</p>\n<p>Before we begin, it’s important to know there are four essential parts of any <a href=\"http://www.frontrowinsurance.com/live-theatre-insurance\">Theatre Insurance Policy</a>. For the purpose of this discussion, I will be referring to a \"Broad Form\" type of policy<span style=\"font-style: italic;\"> (often referred to as an ‘All Risks’ policy; a terrible name by the way, as I’ve yet to see a policy that covers everything!)</span> This type of policy has become the most common in the industry and is generally considered a broader form of coverage than a ‘Specified or Named Perils’ policy. Broad Form policies outline what type of claims you will <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">NOT</span> be insured against; whereas, a Specified Perils policy outlines the types of claims which are insured by the policy.</p>\n<p>So here we go:</p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Start with the Insuring Agreement:</strong> it’s here that the insurance company tells you what they are insuring. These are generally short and you will see certain words identified with italics, or bold or capitalized letters; policies will use this as a way of telling the reader that these words have a broader meaning which are defined elsewhere in the policy, usually under a section titled Definitions;</li>\n<li><strong>Move on to the Definitions:</strong> Definitions broaden a single word or words beyond the common-use meaning, to define what it means in your policy. For example, the word ‘Insured’, may be broadened to include your corporation, employees, officers, volunteers, shareholders, etc. Using Definitions makes reading the policy less repetitive and easier to read. Sometimes a definition will also tell what it <em>doesn’t</em> mean, so watch that.</li>\n<li><strong>Now, read the Exclusions:</strong> It is here where your coverage is shaped and the insurance company tells you what will NOT be covered by your policy. Some insurance companies have this under a section referred to as ‘What’s Not Covered’, or ‘Causes of Loss Not Covered’. Often I’m asked the question, “So what are we covered for?” While this is a great question, to me it’s more important to know what you are NOT covered for as it there where the surprises live. This is why I read the Exclusions. Sometimes you will find there are exclusions specific to certain sections of your policy, and then there are some known as General Exclusions which apply to your ENTIRE policy. If you see an exclusion that you don’t like or you feel it too greatly restricts your coverage, be sure to raise this with your broker. Some exclusions can be removed by paying an additional premium for the added coverage<strong>.</strong></li>\n<li><strong>And finally, look for ‘Endorsements’:</strong> these are used by insurance companies to modify their standard policies. They can broaden or restrict your coverage. They can usually be found listed in the front section of your policy known as your ‘Policy Declarations’.These are the front sheets on your policy where the insurance company lists your insured amounts, deductibles and premiums.</li>\n</ol>\n<p>There will be other parts of the policy called Statutory Conditions and General Conditions. While these are important, they are generally common to most policies and can be read once you have tackled the parts I’ve listed above.</p>\n<p>And one final tip: when it comes to making a claim under a Broad Form policy, it is your insurance company that has the responsibility to establish that one of the exclusions applies to your claim. Any ambiguity will be read in your favour as they were the ones who created the policy wording. By contrast a Named or Specified Perils policy requires YOU to demonstrate that your claim has resulted from one of the insured loss types specified in your policy.</p>\n<p>By using these 4 simple tips you will quickly be able to understand your policy, feel more comfortable with it, and be able to ask questions that may help broaden your insurance protection.</p>\n<h2 class=\"subheading\">We have an easy online low-cost insurance solution for Canadian producers who are renting theatre space and equipment for a short period:</h2>\n<p><span class=\"hs_cos_wrapper hs_cos_wrapper_widget hs_cos_wrapper_type_text\" data-hs-cos-general-type=\"widget\" data-hs-cos-type=\"text\"></span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span>Related:</span></h3>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/theatre-insurance-101\" rel=\" noopener\">THEATRE INSURANCE 101 / THEATRICAL INSURANCE / PERFORMING ARTS INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/theatre-insurance-reduce-the-potential-disaster-to-a-minor-inconvenience\" rel=\" noopener\">MAKE A POTENTIAL DISASTER A MINOR INCONVENIENCE / THEATRE INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/british-pantomime-and-theatre-insurance\" rel=\" noopener\">BRITISH PANTOMIME AND THEATRE INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/infamous-stage-disasters-insurance-considerations\" rel=\" noopener\">FAMOUS STAGE DISASTERS / THEATRE INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/theatre-insurance\" rel=\" noopener\">THEATRE INSURANCE - VENUES AND GROUPS / THEATRE COMPANY INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\">4 EASY STEPS TO READING A THEATRE INSURANCE POLICY</p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/...but-isnt-the-circus-supposed-to-be-dangerous\" rel=\" noopener\">CIRCUS INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/circus-acrobatics-aerial-actone\" rel=\" noopener\">AERIAL INSURANCE / AERIAL ARTS INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/dance-performance-insurance-venues-and-groups\" rel=\" noopener\">DANCE INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/opera-insurance-performance-venues-and-groups\" rel=\" noopener\">OPERA INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/en-ca/theatre-dance-and-opera-insurance\" rel=\" noopener\">ACTONE INSURANCE / PERFORMERS INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/the-directors-and-officers-insurance-experts-for-arts-groups\" rel=\" noopener\">DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS (D&amp;O) INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/cast-insurance-for-live-performances-making-the-decision-before-you-have-a-deal\" rel=\" noopener\">CAST INSURANCE FOR LIVE PERFORMERS</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/articles/bid/25404/insurance-for-body-parts\" rel=\" noopener\">INSURANCE FOR BODY PARTS / BODY PART INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/en-ca/arts-educators\" rel=\" noopener\">PROTÉGÉ: CUSTOM INSURANCE FOR ART SCHOOLS AND ARTS EDUCATORS</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/safeguarding-your-students-art-school-part1\" rel=\" noopener\">SAFEGUARDING YOUR STUDENTS WITH ART SCHOOL INSURANCE PART 1</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/safeguarding-your-students-art-school-part2\" rel=\" noopener\">SAFEGUARDING YOUR STUDENTS WITH ART SCHOOL INSURANCE PART 2</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/intimacy-directors-in-the-theatre-world\" rel=\" noopener\">INTIMACY COACHES IN THE THEATRE WORLD / INTIMACY DIRECTORS</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/short-term-theatre-insurance-now-available-online\" rel=\" noopener\">SHORT-TERM THEATRE INSURANCE / PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE FOR PERFORMERS</a></p>","postEmailContent":"<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\"><strong>“You got it buddy, the large print giveth and the small print taketh away”<br></strong></span><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\"><strong>― Tom Waits, <em>Step</em><em> Right Up</em></strong></span></p>","postFeaturedImageIfEnabled":"http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/61352/file-1310504050-jpg/Weather_banner.jpg","postListContent":"\n\n\n\n <span id=\"hs_cos_wrapper_post_body\" class=\"hs_cos_wrapper hs_cos_wrapper_meta_field hs_cos_wrapper_type_rich_text\" style=\"\" data-hs-cos-general-type=\"meta_field\" data-hs-cos-type=\"rich_text\" ><p style=\"text-align: right;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\"><strong>“You got it buddy, the large print giveth and the small print taketh away”<br></strong></span><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\"><strong>― Tom Waits, <em>Step</em><em> Right Up</em></strong></span></p>\n<!--more--><p>In the nearly 30 years I’ve been a <a href=\"/theatre-insurance\">theatre insurance</a> broker, I’ve read many theatre insurance policies. Over those years, I’ve adopted an approach to help me determine what’s covered and what’s not, relatively quickly.</p>\n<p>In today’s post, I thought I would share these very simple tips with you. They will make you feel more comfortable with the policy you are buying and help you form better questions when discussing the coverage with your broker or dealing with a claim.</p>\n<p>Before we begin, it’s important to know there are four essential parts of any <a href=\"http://www.frontrowinsurance.com/live-theatre-insurance\">Theatre Insurance Policy</a>. For the purpose of this discussion, I will be referring to a \"Broad Form\" type of policy<span style=\"font-style: italic;\"> (often referred to as an ‘All Risks’ policy; a terrible name by the way, as I’ve yet to see a policy that covers everything!)</span> This type of policy has become the most common in the industry and is generally considered a broader form of coverage than a ‘Specified or Named Perils’ policy. Broad Form policies outline what type of claims you will <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">NOT</span> be insured against; whereas, a Specified Perils policy outlines the types of claims which are insured by the policy.</p>\n<p>So here we go:</p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Start with the Insuring Agreement:</strong> it’s here that the insurance company tells you what they are insuring. These are generally short and you will see certain words identified with italics, or bold or capitalized letters; policies will use this as a way of telling the reader that these words have a broader meaning which are defined elsewhere in the policy, usually under a section titled Definitions;</li>\n<li><strong>Move on to the Definitions:</strong> Definitions broaden a single word or words beyond the common-use meaning, to define what it means in your policy. For example, the word ‘Insured’, may be broadened to include your corporation, employees, officers, volunteers, shareholders, etc. Using Definitions makes reading the policy less repetitive and easier to read. Sometimes a definition will also tell what it <em>doesn’t</em> mean, so watch that.</li>\n<li><strong>Now, read the Exclusions:</strong> It is here where your coverage is shaped and the insurance company tells you what will NOT be covered by your policy. Some insurance companies have this under a section referred to as ‘What’s Not Covered’, or ‘Causes of Loss Not Covered’. Often I’m asked the question, “So what are we covered for?” While this is a great question, to me it’s more important to know what you are NOT covered for as it there where the surprises live. This is why I read the Exclusions. Sometimes you will find there are exclusions specific to certain sections of your policy, and then there are some known as General Exclusions which apply to your ENTIRE policy. If you see an exclusion that you don’t like or you feel it too greatly restricts your coverage, be sure to raise this with your broker. Some exclusions can be removed by paying an additional premium for the added coverage<strong>.</strong></li>\n<li><strong>And finally, look for ‘Endorsements’:</strong> these are used by insurance companies to modify their standard policies. They can broaden or restrict your coverage. They can usually be found listed in the front section of your policy known as your ‘Policy Declarations’.These are the front sheets on your policy where the insurance company lists your insured amounts, deductibles and premiums.</li>\n</ol>\n<p>There will be other parts of the policy called Statutory Conditions and General Conditions. While these are important, they are generally common to most policies and can be read once you have tackled the parts I’ve listed above.</p>\n<p>And one final tip: when it comes to making a claim under a Broad Form policy, it is your insurance company that has the responsibility to establish that one of the exclusions applies to your claim. Any ambiguity will be read in your favour as they were the ones who created the policy wording. By contrast a Named or Specified Perils policy requires YOU to demonstrate that your claim has resulted from one of the insured loss types specified in your policy.</p>\n<p>By using these 4 simple tips you will quickly be able to understand your policy, feel more comfortable with it, and be able to ask questions that may help broaden your insurance protection.</p>\n<h2 class=\"subheading\">We have an easy online low-cost insurance solution for Canadian producers who are renting theatre space and equipment for a short period:</h2>\n<p><span class=\"hs_cos_wrapper hs_cos_wrapper_widget hs_cos_wrapper_type_text\" data-hs-cos-general-type=\"widget\" data-hs-cos-type=\"text\"></span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span>Related:</span></h3>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/theatre-insurance-101\" rel=\" noopener\">THEATRE INSURANCE 101 / THEATRICAL INSURANCE / PERFORMING ARTS INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/theatre-insurance-reduce-the-potential-disaster-to-a-minor-inconvenience\" rel=\" noopener\">MAKE A POTENTIAL DISASTER A MINOR INCONVENIENCE / THEATRE INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/british-pantomime-and-theatre-insurance\" rel=\" noopener\">BRITISH PANTOMIME AND THEATRE INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/infamous-stage-disasters-insurance-considerations\" rel=\" noopener\">FAMOUS STAGE DISASTERS / THEATRE INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/theatre-insurance\" rel=\" noopener\">THEATRE INSURANCE - VENUES AND GROUPS / THEATRE COMPANY INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\">4 EASY STEPS TO READING A THEATRE INSURANCE POLICY</p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/...but-isnt-the-circus-supposed-to-be-dangerous\" rel=\" noopener\">CIRCUS INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/circus-acrobatics-aerial-actone\" rel=\" noopener\">AERIAL INSURANCE / AERIAL ARTS INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/dance-performance-insurance-venues-and-groups\" rel=\" noopener\">DANCE INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/opera-insurance-performance-venues-and-groups\" rel=\" noopener\">OPERA INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/en-ca/theatre-dance-and-opera-insurance\" rel=\" noopener\">ACTONE INSURANCE / PERFORMERS INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/the-directors-and-officers-insurance-experts-for-arts-groups\" rel=\" noopener\">DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS (D&amp;O) INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/cast-insurance-for-live-performances-making-the-decision-before-you-have-a-deal\" rel=\" noopener\">CAST INSURANCE FOR LIVE PERFORMERS</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/articles/bid/25404/insurance-for-body-parts\" rel=\" noopener\">INSURANCE FOR BODY PARTS / BODY PART INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/en-ca/arts-educators\" rel=\" noopener\">PROTÉGÉ: CUSTOM INSURANCE FOR ART SCHOOLS AND ARTS EDUCATORS</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/safeguarding-your-students-art-school-part1\" rel=\" noopener\">SAFEGUARDING YOUR STUDENTS WITH ART SCHOOL INSURANCE PART 1</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/safeguarding-your-students-art-school-part2\" rel=\" noopener\">SAFEGUARDING YOUR STUDENTS WITH ART SCHOOL INSURANCE PART 2</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/intimacy-directors-in-the-theatre-world\" rel=\" noopener\">INTIMACY COACHES IN THE THEATRE WORLD / INTIMACY DIRECTORS</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/short-term-theatre-insurance-now-available-online\" rel=\" noopener\">SHORT-TERM THEATRE INSURANCE / PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE FOR PERFORMERS</a></p></span>\n","postListSummaryFeaturedImage":"","postRssContent":"<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\"><strong>“You got it buddy, the large print giveth and the small print taketh away”<br></strong></span><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\"><strong>― Tom Waits, <em>Step</em><em> Right Up</em></strong></span></p>","postRssSummaryFeaturedImage":"http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/61352/file-1310504050-jpg/Weather_banner.jpg","postSummary":"<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\"><strong>“You got it buddy, the large print giveth and the small print taketh away”<br></strong></span><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\"><strong>― Tom Waits, <em>Step</em><em> Right Up</em></strong></span></p>\n","postSummaryRss":"<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\"><strong>“You got it buddy, the large print giveth and the small print taketh away”<br></strong></span><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\"><strong>― Tom Waits, <em>Step</em><em> Right Up</em></strong></span></p>","postTemplate":"prox_frontrow/templates/blog/blog-post.html","previewImageSrc":null,"previewKey":"g3KVlEZL","previousPostFeaturedImage":"http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/61352/file-1311867335-jpg/Office_Contents_Insurance.jpg","previousPostFeaturedImageAltText":"","previousPostName":"Copyright Reports: Use Them to Minimize the Potential of an E&O Claim","previousPostSlug":"articles/copyright-reports-use-them-to-minimize-the-potential-of-a-producers-eo-claim","processingStatus":"PUBLISHED","propertyForDynamicPageCanonicalUrl":null,"propertyForDynamicPageFeaturedImage":null,"propertyForDynamicPageMetaDescription":null,"propertyForDynamicPageSlug":null,"propertyForDynamicPageTitle":null,"publicAccessRules":[],"publicAccessRulesEnabled":false,"publishDate":1437683880000,"publishDateLocalTime":1437683880000,"publishDateLocalized":{"date":1437683880000,"format":"medium","language":"en_US"},"publishImmediately":false,"publishTimezoneOffset":null,"publishedAt":1649859065986,"publishedByEmail":null,"publishedById":7915797,"publishedByName":null,"publishedUrl":"https://www.frontrowinsurance.com/articles/4-easy-steps-to-reading-an-insurance-policy","resolvedDomain":"www.frontrowinsurance.com","resolvedLanguage":null,"rssBody":"<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\"><strong>“You got it buddy, the large print giveth and the small print taketh away”<br></strong></span><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\"><strong>― Tom Waits, <em>Step</em><em> Right Up</em></strong></span></p>\n<!--more--><p>In the nearly 30 years I’ve been a <a href=\"/theatre-insurance\">theatre insurance</a> broker, I’ve read many theatre insurance policies. Over those years, I’ve adopted an approach to help me determine what’s covered and what’s not, relatively quickly.</p>\n<p>In today’s post, I thought I would share these very simple tips with you. They will make you feel more comfortable with the policy you are buying and help you form better questions when discussing the coverage with your broker or dealing with a claim.</p>\n<p>Before we begin, it’s important to know there are four essential parts of any <a href=\"http://www.frontrowinsurance.com/live-theatre-insurance\">Theatre Insurance Policy</a>. For the purpose of this discussion, I will be referring to a \"Broad Form\" type of policy<span style=\"font-style: italic;\"> (often referred to as an ‘All Risks’ policy; a terrible name by the way, as I’ve yet to see a policy that covers everything!)</span> This type of policy has become the most common in the industry and is generally considered a broader form of coverage than a ‘Specified or Named Perils’ policy. Broad Form policies outline what type of claims you will <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">NOT</span> be insured against; whereas, a Specified Perils policy outlines the types of claims which are insured by the policy.</p>\n<p>So here we go:</p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Start with the Insuring Agreement:</strong> it’s here that the insurance company tells you what they are insuring. These are generally short and you will see certain words identified with italics, or bold or capitalized letters; policies will use this as a way of telling the reader that these words have a broader meaning which are defined elsewhere in the policy, usually under a section titled Definitions;</li>\n<li><strong>Move on to the Definitions:</strong> Definitions broaden a single word or words beyond the common-use meaning, to define what it means in your policy. For example, the word ‘Insured’, may be broadened to include your corporation, employees, officers, volunteers, shareholders, etc. Using Definitions makes reading the policy less repetitive and easier to read. Sometimes a definition will also tell what it <em>doesn’t</em> mean, so watch that.</li>\n<li><strong>Now, read the Exclusions:</strong> It is here where your coverage is shaped and the insurance company tells you what will NOT be covered by your policy. Some insurance companies have this under a section referred to as ‘What’s Not Covered’, or ‘Causes of Loss Not Covered’. Often I’m asked the question, “So what are we covered for?” While this is a great question, to me it’s more important to know what you are NOT covered for as it there where the surprises live. This is why I read the Exclusions. Sometimes you will find there are exclusions specific to certain sections of your policy, and then there are some known as General Exclusions which apply to your ENTIRE policy. If you see an exclusion that you don’t like or you feel it too greatly restricts your coverage, be sure to raise this with your broker. Some exclusions can be removed by paying an additional premium for the added coverage<strong>.</strong></li>\n<li><strong>And finally, look for ‘Endorsements’:</strong> these are used by insurance companies to modify their standard policies. They can broaden or restrict your coverage. They can usually be found listed in the front section of your policy known as your ‘Policy Declarations’.These are the front sheets on your policy where the insurance company lists your insured amounts, deductibles and premiums.</li>\n</ol>\n<p>There will be other parts of the policy called Statutory Conditions and General Conditions. While these are important, they are generally common to most policies and can be read once you have tackled the parts I’ve listed above.</p>\n<p>And one final tip: when it comes to making a claim under a Broad Form policy, it is your insurance company that has the responsibility to establish that one of the exclusions applies to your claim. Any ambiguity will be read in your favour as they were the ones who created the policy wording. By contrast a Named or Specified Perils policy requires YOU to demonstrate that your claim has resulted from one of the insured loss types specified in your policy.</p>\n<p>By using these 4 simple tips you will quickly be able to understand your policy, feel more comfortable with it, and be able to ask questions that may help broaden your insurance protection.</p>\n<h2 class=\"subheading\">We have an easy online low-cost insurance solution for Canadian producers who are renting theatre space and equipment for a short period:</h2>\n<p><span class=\"hs_cos_wrapper hs_cos_wrapper_widget hs_cos_wrapper_type_text\" data-hs-cos-general-type=\"widget\" data-hs-cos-type=\"text\"></span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span>Related:</span></h3>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/theatre-insurance-101\" rel=\" noopener\">THEATRE INSURANCE 101 / THEATRICAL INSURANCE / PERFORMING ARTS INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/theatre-insurance-reduce-the-potential-disaster-to-a-minor-inconvenience\" rel=\" noopener\">MAKE A POTENTIAL DISASTER A MINOR INCONVENIENCE / THEATRE INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/british-pantomime-and-theatre-insurance\" rel=\" noopener\">BRITISH PANTOMIME AND THEATRE INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/infamous-stage-disasters-insurance-considerations\" rel=\" noopener\">FAMOUS STAGE DISASTERS / THEATRE INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/theatre-insurance\" rel=\" noopener\">THEATRE INSURANCE - VENUES AND GROUPS / THEATRE COMPANY INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\">4 EASY STEPS TO READING A THEATRE INSURANCE POLICY</p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/...but-isnt-the-circus-supposed-to-be-dangerous\" rel=\" noopener\">CIRCUS INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/circus-acrobatics-aerial-actone\" rel=\" noopener\">AERIAL INSURANCE / AERIAL ARTS INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/dance-performance-insurance-venues-and-groups\" rel=\" noopener\">DANCE INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/opera-insurance-performance-venues-and-groups\" rel=\" noopener\">OPERA INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/en-ca/theatre-dance-and-opera-insurance\" rel=\" noopener\">ACTONE INSURANCE / PERFORMERS INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/the-directors-and-officers-insurance-experts-for-arts-groups\" rel=\" noopener\">DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS (D&amp;O) INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/cast-insurance-for-live-performances-making-the-decision-before-you-have-a-deal\" rel=\" noopener\">CAST INSURANCE FOR LIVE PERFORMERS</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/articles/bid/25404/insurance-for-body-parts\" rel=\" noopener\">INSURANCE FOR BODY PARTS / BODY PART INSURANCE</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/en-ca/arts-educators\" rel=\" noopener\">PROTÉGÉ: CUSTOM INSURANCE FOR ART SCHOOLS AND ARTS EDUCATORS</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/safeguarding-your-students-art-school-part1\" rel=\" noopener\">SAFEGUARDING YOUR STUDENTS WITH ART SCHOOL INSURANCE PART 1</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/safeguarding-your-students-art-school-part2\" rel=\" noopener\">SAFEGUARDING YOUR STUDENTS WITH ART SCHOOL INSURANCE PART 2</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/intimacy-directors-in-the-theatre-world\" rel=\" noopener\">INTIMACY COACHES IN THE THEATRE WORLD / INTIMACY DIRECTORS</a></p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"/articles/short-term-theatre-insurance-now-available-online\" rel=\" noopener\">SHORT-TERM THEATRE INSURANCE / PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE FOR PERFORMERS</a></p>","rssSummary":"<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\"><strong>“You got it buddy, the large print giveth and the small print taketh away”<br></strong></span><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\"><strong>― Tom Waits, <em>Step</em><em> Right Up</em></strong></span></p>\n","rssSummaryFeaturedImage":"http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/61352/file-1310504050-jpg/Weather_banner.jpg","scheduledUpdateDate":0,"screenshotPreviewTakenAt":1649859066131,"screenshotPreviewUrl":"https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubshot/22/04/13/77e99c69-06e0-4924-ae5e-a86acf7691ef.png","sections":{},"securityState":"NONE","siteId":0,"slug":"articles/4-easy-steps-to-reading-an-insurance-policy","stagedFrom":null,"state":"PUBLISHED","stateWhenDeleted":null,"structuredContentPageType":null,"structuredContentType":null,"styleOverrideId":null,"subcategory":"normal_blog_post","syncedWithBlogRoot":true,"tagIds":[3131630093],"tagList":[{"categoryId":0,"cdnPurgeEmbargoTime":null,"contentIds":[],"cosObjectType":"TAG","created":1437068210000,"deletedAt":0,"description":"","id":3131630093,"label":"Theatre insurance","language":"en","name":"Theatre insurance","portalId":61352,"slug":"theatre-insurance","translatedFromId":null,"translations":{},"updated":1666900182978}],"tagNames":["Theatre insurance"],"teamPerms":[],"templatePath":"","templatePathForRender":"prox_frontrow/templates/blog/blog-post.html","textToAudioFileId":null,"textToAudioGenerationRequestId":null,"themePath":null,"themeSettingsValues":null,"title":"4 Easy Steps To Reading A Theatre Insurance Policy","tmsId":null,"topicIds":[3131630093],"topicList":[{"categoryId":0,"cdnPurgeEmbargoTime":null,"contentIds":[],"cosObjectType":"TAG","created":1437068210000,"deletedAt":0,"description":"","id":3131630093,"label":"Theatre insurance","language":"en","name":"Theatre insurance","portalId":61352,"slug":"theatre-insurance","translatedFromId":null,"translations":{},"updated":1666900182978}],"topicNames":["Theatre insurance"],"topics":[3131630093],"translatedContent":{},"translatedFromId":null,"translations":{},"tweet":null,"tweetAt":null,"tweetImmediately":false,"unpublishedAt":0,"updated":1649859065992,"updatedById":7915797,"upsizeFeaturedImage":false,"url":"https://www.frontrowinsurance.com/articles/4-easy-steps-to-reading-an-insurance-policy","useFeaturedImage":true,"userPerms":[],"views":0,"visibleToAll":null,"widgetContainers":{"Sidebar_Modules":{"deleted_at":1577982883416,"widgets":[{"body":{"overrideable":false,"response_message":"Thanks for Subscribing!","select_blog":"default","tag":"blog_subscribe","title":"Subscribe to Email Updates","type":"blog_subscribe"},"child_css":{},"css":{},"deleted_at":1577982883416,"id":1489020807272,"label":"Blog Email Subscription","smart_type":null,"type":"blog_subscribe"}]}},"widgetcontainers":{},"widgets":{"google_search":{"body":{"prefill_input_with_pathname":false,"search_button_text":"Search","search_field_label":"Search"},"child_css":{},"css":{},"definition_id":null,"deleted_at":1577982883416,"id":"google_search","label":"google_search","name":"google_search","smart_objects":[],"smart_type":null,"type":"google_search"},"menu_footer_primary":{"body":{},"child_css":{},"css":{},"definition_id":null,"deleted_at":1577982883416,"id":"menu_footer_primary","label":"Menu Footer Primary","name":"menu_footer_primary","smart_objects":[],"smart_type":null,"type":"menu"},"menu_footer_sector_categories":{"body":{},"child_css":{},"css":{},"definition_id":null,"deleted_at":1577982883416,"id":"menu_footer_sector_categories","label":"Menu Footer Sector Categories","name":"menu_footer_sector_categories","smart_objects":[],"smart_type":null,"type":"menu"},"menu_header_all_sectors":{"body":{},"child_css":{},"css":{},"definition_id":null,"deleted_at":1577982883416,"id":"menu_header_all_sectors","label":"Menu Header All Sectors","name":"menu_header_all_sectors","smart_objects":[],"smart_type":null,"type":"menu"},"menu_header_primary":{"body":{},"child_css":{},"css":{},"definition_id":null,"deleted_at":1577982883416,"id":"menu_header_primary","label":"Menu Header Primary","name":"menu_header_primary","smart_objects":[],"smart_type":null,"type":"menu"},"menu_header_sector_categories":{"body":{},"child_css":{},"css":{},"definition_id":null,"deleted_at":1577982883416,"id":"menu_header_sector_categories","label":"Menu Header Sector Categories","name":"menu_header_sector_categories","smart_objects":[],"smart_type":null,"type":"menu"},"module_156398965931111":{"body":{"definition_id":null,"module_id":8696351,"path":"/Marketplace/HubSpot/Team_Member/Team Member","per_widget_wrapper_html":"","smart_objects":null,"smart_type":"NOT_SMART","tag":"module","type":"module","widget_name":"Team Member","wrapping_html":""},"child_css":{},"css":{},"deleted_at":1649859059917,"id":"module_156398965931111","label":"Team Member","module_id":8696351,"name":"module_156398965931111","order":9,"smart_type":null,"type":"module"}}}

4 Easy Steps To Reading A Theatre Insurance Policy

theatre insurance policy

“You got it buddy, the large print giveth and the small print taketh away”
― Tom Waits, Step Right Up

In the nearly 30 years I’ve been a theatre insurance broker, I’ve read many theatre insurance policies. Over those years, I’ve adopted an approach to help me determine what’s covered and what’s not, relatively quickly.

In today’s post, I thought I would share these very simple tips with you. They will make you feel more comfortable with the policy you are buying and help you form better questions when discussing the coverage with your broker or dealing with a claim.

Before we begin, it’s important to know there are four essential parts of any Theatre Insurance Policy. For the purpose of this discussion, I will be referring to a "Broad Form" type of policy (often referred to as an ‘All Risks’ policy; a terrible name by the way, as I’ve yet to see a policy that covers everything!) This type of policy has become the most common in the industry and is generally considered a broader form of coverage than a ‘Specified or Named Perils’ policy. Broad Form policies outline what type of claims you will NOT be insured against; whereas, a Specified Perils policy outlines the types of claims which are insured by the policy.

So here we go:

  1. Start with the Insuring Agreement: it’s here that the insurance company tells you what they are insuring. These are generally short and you will see certain words identified with italics, or bold or capitalized letters; policies will use this as a way of telling the reader that these words have a broader meaning which are defined elsewhere in the policy, usually under a section titled Definitions;
  2. Move on to the Definitions: Definitions broaden a single word or words beyond the common-use meaning, to define what it means in your policy. For example, the word ‘Insured’, may be broadened to include your corporation, employees, officers, volunteers, shareholders, etc. Using Definitions makes reading the policy less repetitive and easier to read. Sometimes a definition will also tell what it doesn’t mean, so watch that.
  3. Now, read the Exclusions: It is here where your coverage is shaped and the insurance company tells you what will NOT be covered by your policy. Some insurance companies have this under a section referred to as ‘What’s Not Covered’, or ‘Causes of Loss Not Covered’. Often I’m asked the question, “So what are we covered for?” While this is a great question, to me it’s more important to know what you are NOT covered for as it there where the surprises live. This is why I read the Exclusions. Sometimes you will find there are exclusions specific to certain sections of your policy, and then there are some known as General Exclusions which apply to your ENTIRE policy. If you see an exclusion that you don’t like or you feel it too greatly restricts your coverage, be sure to raise this with your broker. Some exclusions can be removed by paying an additional premium for the added coverage.
  4. And finally, look for ‘Endorsements’: these are used by insurance companies to modify their standard policies. They can broaden or restrict your coverage. They can usually be found listed in the front section of your policy known as your ‘Policy Declarations’.These are the front sheets on your policy where the insurance company lists your insured amounts, deductibles and premiums.

There will be other parts of the policy called Statutory Conditions and General Conditions. While these are important, they are generally common to most policies and can be read once you have tackled the parts I’ve listed above.

And one final tip: when it comes to making a claim under a Broad Form policy, it is your insurance company that has the responsibility to establish that one of the exclusions applies to your claim. Any ambiguity will be read in your favour as they were the ones who created the policy wording. By contrast a Named or Specified Perils policy requires YOU to demonstrate that your claim has resulted from one of the insured loss types specified in your policy.

By using these 4 simple tips you will quickly be able to understand your policy, feel more comfortable with it, and be able to ask questions that may help broaden your insurance protection.

We have an easy online low-cost insurance solution for Canadian producers who are renting theatre space and equipment for a short period:

Get a quote in 2 minutes

 

Related:

THEATRE INSURANCE 101 / THEATRICAL INSURANCE / PERFORMING ARTS INSURANCE

MAKE A POTENTIAL DISASTER A MINOR INCONVENIENCE / THEATRE INSURANCE

BRITISH PANTOMIME AND THEATRE INSURANCE

FAMOUS STAGE DISASTERS / THEATRE INSURANCE

THEATRE INSURANCE - VENUES AND GROUPS / THEATRE COMPANY INSURANCE

4 EASY STEPS TO READING A THEATRE INSURANCE POLICY

CIRCUS INSURANCE

AERIAL INSURANCE / AERIAL ARTS INSURANCE

DANCE INSURANCE

OPERA INSURANCE

ACTONE INSURANCE / PERFORMERS INSURANCE

DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS (D&O) INSURANCE

CAST INSURANCE FOR LIVE PERFORMERS

INSURANCE FOR BODY PARTS / BODY PART INSURANCE

PROTÉGÉ: CUSTOM INSURANCE FOR ART SCHOOLS AND ARTS EDUCATORS

SAFEGUARDING YOUR STUDENTS WITH ART SCHOOL INSURANCE PART 1

SAFEGUARDING YOUR STUDENTS WITH ART SCHOOL INSURANCE PART 2

INTIMACY COACHES IN THE THEATRE WORLD / INTIMACY DIRECTORS

SHORT-TERM THEATRE INSURANCE / PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE FOR PERFORMERS

Submit a comment