Travel Insurance for Musicians Specialised travel insurance for individuals in the Performing & Creative Arts. Last updated: 30 September 2024 Why get travel insurance? As a musician, your career may involve working and travelling abroad. Whether you're touring, working on a cruise, in live events, recording or working as a sound & lighting engineer, it's essential to have the right travel insurance to protect yourself. Travel insurance for Musicians’ Union Members The MU’s preferred insurance broker Hencilla Canworth GI – which also provides public liability and personal accident insurance as well as the equipment insurance scheme – offers specialised travel insurance tailored for performing artists overseas. The policies cover both work and holiday travel, whether you're performing or taking a break, you’re protected. You can choose a plan that best suits your needs and budget. Types of Travel Insurance Cover Available Short Stay (One-Off Single Trips) No maximum age If you have a specific engagement or event, a Short Stay policy might be perfect for you. This type of cover is designed for single trips lasting up to 62 days. It’s ideal for those quick tours or gigs abroad where you need comprehensive coverage for a limited time. Please be aware 75+ is restricted to 31 days. Long Stay (One continuous journey, from 62 days up to 18 months) Maximum age - 69 (at departure date) terms & conditions apply. Planning an extended tour? Long Stay policies cover one continuous journey from 62 days up to 18 months. This is perfect for artists who have long-term commitments overseas, providing robust coverage which includes returning home for a period no longer than 14 days once in the life time of your policy. Annual Policies (Multiple trips within a year, up to 45 days/trip) For those frequently on the move, an annual policy might be the best option. This plan covers multiple trips within a year, with a standard single-trip limit of 45 days. However, you can extend this limit to 62 days as an additional add-on. An annual policy is cost-effective and convenient if you have two or more trips planned within the year and they fit within the trip duration limits. This can also accommodate families including children (Under 18s will have to be accompanied by an adult) Get a travel quote Please note the following: Personal accident insurance and public/personal liability will not be covered as standard under this policy while you are working. However, as a member of the MU, this cover is provided within your membership (the above exclusion does not apply to musicians or singers). Travel insurance does not cover any musical instruments, though as a member of the MU, musical instrument and equipment is covered worldwide up to the value of £3,000 provided you have registered for cover. Otherwise, cover can be arranged at https://www.muinsure.com/ or can be discussed over the phone with specialist Mark Hopkinson on 0208 686 5050. Interested in getting covered? It's quick and easy, ensuring you're ready to hit the road without any worries. Here is the link you need for getting a quote and purchase your policy online: If you would like to apply for instrument insurance that covers you when you travel, get a quote today. Get a travel quote Need Help? If you have any questions or need further assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out. You can email our travel expert Sean at sean.woodman@hencilla.co.uk us or call our office on 0208 686 5050 for advice and support. Member benefits and services Worldwide Instrument Insurance If you are travelling abroad – as a freelance musician or with an orchestra – ensure that your insurance is activated before you travel. Read more about Worldwide Instrument Insurance Free Visa & Work Permit Advice Access Viva La Visa's free advice line for guidance on visas, work permits or travel documentation for touring abroad. Members also receive a 20% discount on any services. Read more about Free Visa & Work Permit Advice Discounts on ATA Carnets MU members requiring ATA Carnets for travel can take advantage of exclusive discounts from LCC or Boomerang Read more about Discounts on ATA Carnets Contract Advisory Service Protect yourself against unpaid fees by making sure that your tour or engagement is covered by a written contract. Have it vetted by the MU for added peace of mind. Read more about Contract Advisory Service Professional Advice for US Visa Issues We partner with professional organisations that offer free guidance and discounted services to MU members Read more about Professional Advice for US Visa Issues Travel Insurance Read more about Travel Insurance Overseas Taxation and National Insurance Read more about Overseas Taxation and National Insurance Latest news and features MU Meets Labour Movement for Europe to Discuss Next Steps for EU Touring Last week the Union met with MPs and Peers to press for progress on EU touring barriers at a parliamentary roundtable. Published: 25 July 2025 Read more about MU Meets Labour Movement for Europe to Discuss Next Steps for EU Touring Save Pernambuco Bows: Write to Your MP Today The MU is calling on members to take urgent action to protect the future of high-quality bow making and the musicians who rely on it, after a proposal to move pernambuco wood from Appendix II to Appendix I. Published: 10 July 2025 Read more about Save Pernambuco Bows: Write to Your MP Today MU Meets with Minister to Push for Progress on Touring Post-Brexit Earlier this week, the MU met with Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds to discuss last month’s EU-UK Summit and the next steps for touring artists. Published: 11 June 2025 Read more about MU Meets with Minister to Push for Progress on Touring Post-Brexit Update on the US Travel Ban: Who is Affected? Trump’s latest proclamation restricts entry to the US from 20 countries, heightening concerns for global cultural exchange. Our colleagues at Tamizdat have shared further details on what we know so far. Published: 09 June 2025 Read more about Update on the US Travel Ban: Who is Affected? MU Joins Industry Wide Call for £10 Million Investment in UK Music Export and Exchange The MU has joined over sixty music sector organisations in signing an open letter to government, calling for urgent and sustained investment in music export and exchange initiatives. Published: 29 May 2025 Read more about MU Joins Industry Wide Call for £10 Million Investment in UK Music Export and Exchange Read more
Worldwide Instrument Insurance If you are travelling abroad – as a freelance musician or with an orchestra – ensure that your insurance is activated before you travel. Read more about Worldwide Instrument Insurance
Free Visa & Work Permit Advice Access Viva La Visa's free advice line for guidance on visas, work permits or travel documentation for touring abroad. Members also receive a 20% discount on any services. Read more about Free Visa & Work Permit Advice
Discounts on ATA Carnets MU members requiring ATA Carnets for travel can take advantage of exclusive discounts from LCC or Boomerang Read more about Discounts on ATA Carnets
Contract Advisory Service Protect yourself against unpaid fees by making sure that your tour or engagement is covered by a written contract. Have it vetted by the MU for added peace of mind. Read more about Contract Advisory Service
Professional Advice for US Visa Issues We partner with professional organisations that offer free guidance and discounted services to MU members Read more about Professional Advice for US Visa Issues
MU Meets Labour Movement for Europe to Discuss Next Steps for EU Touring Last week the Union met with MPs and Peers to press for progress on EU touring barriers at a parliamentary roundtable. Published: 25 July 2025 Read more about MU Meets Labour Movement for Europe to Discuss Next Steps for EU Touring
Save Pernambuco Bows: Write to Your MP Today The MU is calling on members to take urgent action to protect the future of high-quality bow making and the musicians who rely on it, after a proposal to move pernambuco wood from Appendix II to Appendix I. Published: 10 July 2025 Read more about Save Pernambuco Bows: Write to Your MP Today
MU Meets with Minister to Push for Progress on Touring Post-Brexit Earlier this week, the MU met with Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds to discuss last month’s EU-UK Summit and the next steps for touring artists. Published: 11 June 2025 Read more about MU Meets with Minister to Push for Progress on Touring Post-Brexit
Update on the US Travel Ban: Who is Affected? Trump’s latest proclamation restricts entry to the US from 20 countries, heightening concerns for global cultural exchange. Our colleagues at Tamizdat have shared further details on what we know so far. Published: 09 June 2025 Read more about Update on the US Travel Ban: Who is Affected?
MU Joins Industry Wide Call for £10 Million Investment in UK Music Export and Exchange The MU has joined over sixty music sector organisations in signing an open letter to government, calling for urgent and sustained investment in music export and exchange initiatives. Published: 29 May 2025 Read more about MU Joins Industry Wide Call for £10 Million Investment in UK Music Export and Exchange