I love a good PR disaster, me

They really don't think these things, do they...?

Out of interest, is there a specific reason that they won't insure musicians - why are they higher risk? All sorts of jobs have various risks; my H is a licensee and has never had an issue.

Oh dear ? Wasn't there some story years ago about when Alan Davies was in the Alliance and Leicester ads (I think) but they wouldn't give him a mortgage as "actors" have too too volatile an income or something?

The explanation given in the article is that their estimate of loss of future earnings can be v high, which makes sense. Still funny though.

Also heard that as a performer your chances of having someone high profile in your car are higher, which might cost more in the event of an incident.

My brother is a musician. His insurance, when he can get covered, is sky high!

1. He transports a lot of expensive equipment.

2. He does thousands upon thousands of miles each year.

3. Not all theatres are in 'good' areas and the chances of being broken into are high.

4. The lifestyle means that sometimes earnings are erratic.

5. Musicians *tounge in cheek generalisation ahead* are a drunken lot who are not known for their ability to remember to LOCK their cars and/or remember where they are parked.

It is a big issue for my brother, actually. His car was recently hit outside my house and they didn't leave details. He only has 3rd party insurance so has had to try and find the money to get it repaired. Without his car, he can't get to his gigs. Randomly, his insurance went down when he added his girlfriend. Who is an actor with a provisional license only.

I will share this story with him later- he'll love it!

I think the analogy to the Axa/Michael Winner campaign is rogue - to the best of my recollection Michael Winner didn't actually claim to have insurance with Axa did he? Whereas Iggy Pop struts around for the entire 30 seconds barking that he most certainly does ?

Very funny.

Just thought I'd resurrect this thread to announce that the Advertising Standards Authority has now banned the ad. ?

Interestingly, though, Swiftcover now seems to be changing its attitude towards musicians.

I think the musician thing is also because they tend to be driving around in the middle of the night, rather than having their cars safely locked away like most of us dullards ?

Back in the early 70's my Dad worked for ITN news and had difficulty getting car insurance in case he ever took any of the 'talent' in his car (ie Leonard Parkin).