Equity insurance guide 2022

Introduction From the General Secretary

Dear Member,

Equity’s insurance offering is a key part of being a union for freelancers. Unlike most working people, without these insurances many of our members – from freelance dance artists to entertainers – would simply be unable to work. Your Equity membership ensures this protection – not just for you, but for your fellow members too.

By being part of the incredible collective of around 47,000 Equity members, your subscriptions mean we can offer all members an insurance package at a significantly lower cost than if bought at market rates. This isn’t just a clever member benefit – it’s a fundamental expression of the power of standing together.

I hope you’ll never have to claim from these insurances yourself, but I know that many members will, and on behalf of those fellow artistes, I say a heartfelt thank-you to you for being part of our union.

Equity is reviewing our insurances constantly, so if you have suggestions for improvement or extra inclusion please do get in touch with us, or through your local branch.

In solidarity, Paul W. Fleming

Introduction

As a benefit of membership, Equity has arranged a comprehensive package of insurance covers. Administered and developed by First Act Insurance, the covers listed below are in place subject to eligibility. For the purposes of the public liability, accident, and backstage covers the following Standard Member definition applies:

Standard member definition:

A member of Equity who is in benefit in accordance with the rules of Equity who is not a student member, who is a permanent resident of England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands and Gibraltar or any overseas artist visiting the United Kingdom to whom Equity has granted membership of Equity.

There are also policy definitions for student members, fire performers, stunt performers, stage hypnotists, enhanced members, dancers and physical artists, found in their respective sections within the policy wordings.

For full details of the policy cover terms and conditions, please refer to the policy wordings below and First Act Insurance.

General condition of cover

It is a condition of the covers provided that you remain a member of Equity and that you did not provide any untrue, inaccurate or incomplete information to Equity, which if provided would have resulted in you being declined for membership. Please refer below and First Act Insurance for full details of the policy terms and conditions.

First Act and Hencilla

First Act Insurance, a trading name of Hencilla Canworth GI Limited, is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under reference 948880.

Contact mail@hencilla.co.uk, tel 020 8686 5050

Members' Public Liability Cover

Eligibility and demands and need

This policy is a benefit of membership and meets the requirements of Equity standard members that wish to protect against the financial consequences of legal liability claims arising out of your activities as an artist, subject to the policy terms and conditions.

Cover is automatic with no registration required. Provided by Equity and arranged by First Act with insurers Hiscox, this cover is designed for standard members of Equity who are artists as defined below, who perform as individuals or in collaboration with other standard members.

Teachers of performing arts, models, choreographers, theatre designers, stage managers and theatre directors are amongst other activities also covered. You can download your individual PLI certificate from the Equity website. If you are organising a production then you may require additional cover. If you are employed in a production, then insurance may be the responsibility of the production company.

Those members employing others (even freelance engagements) may also require Employers' Liability insurance and additional public liability insurance. First Act Insurance is happy to discuss your circumstances and arrange any necessary additional insurance covers required. Student members are excluded under the standard members' cover as they have their own public liability policy. Stage hypnotism and the use of fire and pyrotechnics are also excluded, although cover is available under their sections.

Duration of insurance

The policy runs for 12 months from 1st October on a continuous cover basis.

Territorial limits

Worldwide provided the members usual residence is within England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands or Gibraltar Overseas members are also covered whilst visiting England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands and Gibraltar.

Policy cover

This policy will cover the financial consequences of legal liability claims against you for bodily injury and/or property damage to any person not your employee, arising from your activities as an "Artist" as defined below and no other professional business employment or activity.

Definition of "Artist"

Any individual person or their personal service limited company where that person is the sole director and employee who:

1. Exercises professional skill in the provision of entertainment; or
2. Is a face or body painter including the use of glitter and temporary tattoos that can be removed the same day by soap and water; or
3. Exercises professional skill in carrying out their duty of stage manager, choreographer, theatre designer or theatre director in the provision of entertainment and corporate events; or
4. Is a teacher or voice coach engaged in the teaching of performing arts; or
5. Exercises professional skill in modelling; or
6. Exercises performance related skill in the provision of role playing, commentary, presentation and voice over to the commercial sector.

Limit of indemnity

£10,000,000 limit applies to each and every occurrence, defence costs in addition, other than for pollution or for products to which a single aggregate policy limit including defence costs applies.

What is not covered?

The following are excluded from the policy cover:

• Damage to property, which belongs to you or is in your care, custody or control;
• Liability arising from ownership, possession or use of any aircraft, aerial device, hovercraft, watercraft or any mechanically propelled vehicle which is not a tool of trade and does not require its own insurance by law;
• Comedy cars are insured except where motor insurance is required by law or they
• Involve the use of fire and/or pyrotechnics;
• Bodily injury to any employee;
• Pollution or contamination other than where sudden and unforeseen. Any pollution in the USA;
• Transmission of a computer virus;
• Designs, plans, specifications, formulae, directions or advice prepared or given by you other than claims brought against you for bodily injury or property damage as a direct result of concept design;
• The costs of repairing, reconditioning or replacing any product or any of its parts;
• Any of your products relating to aircraft, including missiles or spacecraft, and any ground support or control equipment used in connection with such products;
• Any of your products installed in aircraft, including missiles or spacecraft, or used in connection with such craft, or for tooling used in their manufacture including ground-handling tools and equipment, training aids, instruction manuals, blueprints, engineering or other data, advice and services and labour relating to such craft or your products;
• The failure of your products or services to perform the function for which they were intended;
• Deliberate or reckless acts;
• Contractual liability which is greater than what would have existed without the contract;
• Computer date recognition;
• War terrorism and nuclear risks;
• Claims arising from asbestos;
• Abuse or molestation;
• The use of pyrotechnics, explosives or any special effect involving fire or explosion, other than the use of flash cotton, flash tape and flash paper;
• Your activities as an artist when under the direction, supervision or instruction of a production company. This does not apply to standard members engaged in the opening or closing parade of a circus;
• Hypnotism, hypnotherapy and the like;
• Liability incurred by you to any other artist or student member performing with you;
• Bodily injury or property damage arising from your activities involving henna or permanent and semi- permanent tattoos;
• Fines or penalties.

Making a claim

Please contact First Act Insurance immediately on 0208 686 5050, or mail@hencilla.co.uk

Late notification can lead to claims being repudiated. Under no circumstances should you admit liability following an incident.

Policy conditions

You must take reasonable care to prevent a loss. Claims or possible claims must be reported to Insurers in writing immediately. Under no circumstances should you admit liability after an incident.

Members Personal Accident Insurance

Eligibility and demands and needs

This benefit meets the requirements of standard members of Equity that wish to protect against temporary/permanent disability or death arising from an insured accident whilst performing as an artist or where you are rehearsing, practising, auditioning or training in connection with a contract of employment and travelling to and from the location of the above.

Cover is automatic with no registration required.

Duration of insurance

The policy runs for 12 months from 1st October on a continuous cover basis.

Territorial limits

Worldwide provided the members usual residence is within England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands or Gibraltar Overseas members are also covered whilst visiting England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands and Gibraltar

Policy cover

Equity members are insured against accidental bodily injury while performing as an artist (see definition below) including commuting to and from home.

All standard members of Equity are covered, with the exception of student members and stunt performers. Stunt performers can access their own accident insurance scheme via First Act Insurance. Reduced benefits apply to those aged under 18 years of age who are in full-time education. Standard members over 80 years receive full benefits apart from the lower sum of £5,000 following death or permanent total disablement. This is a summary only; please refer to the policy for full details.

Definition of "Artist"

Any individual person or their personal service limited company where that person is the sole director and employee who:

1. Exercises professional skill in the provision of entertainment; or
2. Is a face or body painter including the use of glitter and temporary tattoos that can be removed the same day by soap and water; or
3. Exercises professional skill in carrying out their duty of stage manager, choreographer, theatre designer or theatre director in the provision of entertainment and corporate events; or
4. Is a teacher or voice coach engaged in the teaching of performing arts; or
5. Exercises professional skill in modelling; or
6. Exercises performance related skill in the provision of role playing, commentary, presentation and voice over to the commercial sector.

Operative time of cover

Whilst performing as an artist or where you are rehearsing, practising, auditioning or training in connection with a contract of employment and travelling to and from the location of the above.

Benefits payable

The policy pays the following benefits in the event of an accident covered by the policy:

If you are under 18 and in full-time education the amount for Loss of Life will be restricted to £2,000. Standard members who have joined Equity under the category of model are insured for disfigurement cover to £10,000 on a 24-hour basis. Hand models will be insured for hand disfigurement.

Main policy conditions

You must take reasonable care to prevent a loss. Claims must be reported as soon as possible and within three months of the incident date.

What is not covered

Injury arising from or contributed by:

• Any aerial activity (other than as an acrobat) such as hand-gliding, parachuting, paragliding, kite surfing, bungee jumping and the like:
• Stunt performing
• Involvement in the armed forces/services;
• Emotional or psychiatric conditions;
• The use of un-prescribed drugs;
• Self-harm and suicide;
• Any criminal act;
• HIV or Aids;
• Any physical or mental defect, infirmity or medical condition known to you at inception of this policy unless the condition has been without need of medical advice or treatment during the past 24 months;
• Pregnancy or child-birth;
• Illness or disease other than illness arising from accidental bodily injury;
• Any business or commercial activity other than as an artist;
• Visits to countries against the advice of the Foreign Office or Department of Health;
• Temporary total disablement when you are not in paid employment other than auditioning, rehearsing, practising or training in connection with a contract of employment;
• The first 14 days of temporary disability.
• The following are excluded unless undertaken while performing as an artist:
  • Mountaineering, rock climbing or pot-holing;
  • Riding or driving in any kind of race or endurance test;
  • Combat sports or martial arts;
  • Flying other than as a passenger on a commercial airline.

Making a claim

Please contact First Act Insurance as soon as possible.

Members 24 hours Accident Cover Extension — Enhanced Member Cover

Eligibility and demands and needs

This benefit meets the requirements of qualifying Equity standard members that wish to protect against temporary/permanent disability or death arising from an insured accident at any time subject to the terms and conditions of this policy.

For £5.29 a year, standard members of Equity can extend their Equity personal accident cover from work related accidents only to applying at any time — First Act Insurance. This cover is an extension of the standard members personal accident cover and the same terms and conditions apply.

Note

An Enhanced member is a standard member other than a stunt performer or overseas member, over 18 years and under 75 years, who has written evidence of either, employment as an artist within the past eight weeks, or future employment as an artist within the next eight weeks, who has registered for the 24 hour cover and paid the £5.29 annual premium.

Benefits

The policy pays the following benefits in the event of an accident covered by the policy:

How do I register?

Visit First Act Insurance for instant cover.

Additional Accident Cover

First Act Insurance is able to provide additional personal accident cover at First Act Insurance. Once you have selected the £5.29, 24 hour extension, you can also purchase personal accident — additional cover. This benefit is paid in addition to the Enhanced members accident cover. Full details are available at First Act Insurance.

The maximum benefits available are as follows:

• loss of Life/Permanent disablement £100,000;
• temporary total disablement £1,000 per week (payable for a maximum 52 weeks excluding the first two week);
• the maximum weekly benefit insured should not exceed 75% of your annual income over the last 12 months from your Equity related occupation;
• the maximum weekly benefit paid will be the sum insured or 75% of your average weekly income received from the entertainment industry from the last 12 months, whichever is the less. You will only be covered if an accident arises during the specified occupation(s) (other than accidents that occur away from work) and you will only receive the benefit if the injury prevents you from doing all of the specified occupations.

Premiums start from around £15 per annum plus insurance premium tax and monthly instalments are available above £75.

General Pre-contract Disclosure

Hiscox Underwriting Ltd is the sole insurer of the insurances described herein. Hencilla Canworth GI Ltd receives a commission from the insurer for arranging these covers. In sourcing and placing these policies, collecting premiums, and settling the accident and backstage claims, Hencilla Canworth GI Ltd acts as the agent of Hiscox Underwriting Ltd.

Complaints

If you wish to register a complaint, please contact us in writing to the Chief Executive, Hencilla Canworth GI Limited, Simpson House, 6 Cherry Orchard Road, Croydon, CR9 6AZ, or by phone on 020 8686 5050.

When dealing with your complaint, we will follow our complaints handling procedures; a summary of these procedures is available on request. If you are still not satisfied, you may be entitled to refer the matter to
the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS). For further information you can visit the FOS website.

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