Are you searching for fire performer insurance to protect your fire performance activities from liabilities or accidents that can occur during shows, events, or performances?
The best insurance coverage to protect your fire performance from common risks includes general liability coverage, equipment and prop coverage, professional liability insurance, and venue liability protection.
What fire performer insurance covers:
- General liability coverage protects you against claims of accidental injury to spectators or property damage during your fire performance.
- Equipment coverage safeguards your valuable fire props, costumes, fuel storage equipment, and performance gear from damage or theft.
- Professional liability (E&O) insurance covers claims related to performance errors, negligence, or failure to deliver services as promised.
- Certificate of Insurance (COI) issuance to meet venue and event organizer requirements.
Fire performing comes with unique risks and liabilities due to the use of open flames, pyrotechnic elements, and specialized equipment. Here’s everything you need to know about fire performer insurance.
Expert Insight from Harminder Tonk, Licensed Insurance Broker (License #0D97527): “In my 20+ years working with entertainment professionals, I’ve seen fire performers face unique insurance challenges. The key is securing coverage that explicitly includes fire acts rather than assuming your general liability will cover you. Most standard policies exclude open flame performances entirely.”
Why Is Fire Performer Insurance Important?
Fire performer insurance is essential to protect yourself from potential legal and financial issues that can arise during performances. Working with fire involves inherent dangers. Even the most experienced performers can encounter accidents due to unexpected wind shifts, fuel spills, equipment malfunctions, or audience proximity issues.
Without proper coverage, you could be held personally liable for thousands or even millions of dollars in damages. Fire performer insurance gives you peace of mind knowing that you’re covered in case something goes wrong, so you can focus on delivering an electrifying performance without worrying about the financial risks.
Most venues and event organizers require proof of fire performer insurance before allowing any fire acts on their premises. This includes festivals, corporate events, weddings, private parties, and public performances.
Key reasons fire performers need insurance:
- Venues mandate liability coverage (typically $1M-$2M) before booking fire acts.
- Protects against burn injuries to performers, crew, or spectators
- Covers property damage from accidental fires or scorch marks
- Shields your business from lawsuit costs and legal defense fees
- Provides instant Certificate of Insurance (COI) for last-minute bookings
Associated Risks with Fire Performer Insurance
Fire performance brings amazing visual entertainment but also comes with significant risks that require specialized insurance coverage. The most common risks include burn injuries, property damage from flames, equipment malfunctions, and third party liability claims. These incidents can occur during setup, throughout the performance, or during teardown of equipment.
Fire performing activities require formal risk management and attention to essential safety protocols. Keep the following points in mind when considering fire performer insurance protection:
Common Fire Performance Risks:
- Burn injuries to performers or spectators such as flame contact, fuel splashes, or clothing ignition
- Property damage to venues including scorch marks on floors, curtain fires, stage damage, or building fires
- Equipment-related incidents particularly Poi chain failures, torch malfunctions, or fuel container leaks
- Wind and weather hazards like Unexpected gusts redirecting flames or rain affecting fuel stability
- Audience proximity accidents with spectators getting too close during fire breathing or spinning acts
Fire performance insurance must address these specific hazards that general entertainment insurance may exclude. Ensure adequate coverage for open flame usage, pyrotechnic elements, and fire safety equipment requirements.
Make sure to confirm that all required coverage types are included in your policy. Verify that coverage periods align with your setup and breakdown times as well and not just performance hours.
Types of Fire Performer Insurance Coverage
There are different types of insurance coverage specifically designed for fire performers. Let’s review the key coverages needed to fully protect your fire performance business.
General Liability Insurance
General liability insurance is the most essential coverage for fire performers. It protects against third-party claims for bodily injury and property damage that occur during your fire performances. This coverage is particularly critical when working with open flames and pyrotechnic elements.
Coverage includes:
- Spectator burn injuries or smoke inhalation
- Property damage from accidental fires or scorch marks
- Venue damage (floors, walls, stages, or equipment)
- Medical payments for injured third parties
- Legal defense costs and settlement expenses
Typical Coverage Limits:
- $1,000,000 per occurrence
- $2,000,000 general aggregate
- $300,000 fire legal liability for rented premises
Most venues require minimum $1M/$2M limits and will request to be added as an additional insured on your policy. This coverage meets venue contractual requirements and protects your financial assets.
Equipment and Fire Prop Coverage
This specialized coverage protects your valuable fire performance equipment, including fire poi, fire staffs, fire breathing torches, devil sticks, fire fans, hula hoops, fuel containers, safety equipment, and performance costumes. Coverage extends to damage, theft, or loss during transportation, storage, setup, performance, and teardown.
Equipment coverage typically includes a $250 deductible and covers:
- Theft during transport or at venues
- Accidental damage during performances
- Fire damage to your own equipment
- Weather-related damage at outdoor events
Professional Liability Insurance (Errors & Omissions)
Professional liability insurance, also called errors and omissions (E&O) coverage, protects fire performers against claims of negligence, failure to perform contracted services, or mistakes during performances. This coverage is essential for professional fire performers who sign performance contracts.
Coverage scenarios include:
- Client claims your performance caused reputational harm to their event
- Allegations of failing to meet performance specifications
- Claims that your act didn’t match the contracted description
- Disputes over performance quality or execution
- Breach of contract allegations
E&O insurance covers legal defense costs and settlement payments if a client sues over your professional services, even if the claim is groundless.
Additional Insured Coverage
Many venues, event organizers, and festivals require being added as an “additional insured” on your fire performer insurance policy. This endorsement extends your liability protection to cover the venue or event organizer in case they’re named in a lawsuit arising from your fire performance.
Benefits of additional insured coverage:
- Meets venue contractual requirements
- Protects event organizers from liability claims
- Makes securing bookings at professional venues easier
- Typically provided at no extra charge for venue certificates
- Can be added immediately for urgent booking needs
Tonk Insurance provides instant additional insured certificates to meet tight venue deadlines, contact us today.
Fire Performer Insurance Cost
In the US, fire performers seeking annual insurance can expect to pay between $199 and $900 per year. The cost of fire performer insurance is influenced by factors such as performance frequency, types of fire acts performed (fire breathing vs. fire poi), venue types, annual revenue, and specific coverage limits required.
Fire Performer Insurance Cost Breakdown:
| Coverage Type | Annual Cost Range | Single Event Cost |
|---|---|---|
| General Liability ($1M/$2M) | $199-$400 | $59-$150 |
| General Liability ($3M/$5M) | $400-$900 | $150-$250 |
| Equipment Coverage ($5,000) | $90-$150/year | $20-$40 |
| Equipment Coverage ($10,000) | $150-$250/year | $40-$75 |
| Professional Liability (E&O) | $150-$300/year | Not typically available |
| Workers’ Comp (per performer) | $500-$1,200/year | Varies by state |
| Comprehensive Package | $500-$1,500/year | $150-$350/event |
Data current as of 2025. Actual costs vary based on performance frequency, fire act types, and coverage limits.
Cost Factors Explained
What affects your fire performer insurance premium:
- Performance frequency – 0-19 shows annually vs. 20+ performances
- Fire act types – Fire breathing typically costs more than fire poi/staff
- Indoor vs. outdoor – Indoor fire performances often have higher premiums
- Venue types – Performing at major festivals vs. private events
- Annual revenue – Higher gross receipts increase premium costs
- Claims history – Previous insurance claims affect rates
- Coverage limits – Higher limits ($3M/$5M) cost more than standard ($1M/$2M)
- Additional coverages – Equipment, professional liability, workers’ comp add to cost
Note: Fire performers with fewer than 20 performance days per year typically qualify for lower base rates. Some insurers add $50-$100 for performers with 20+ annual shows due to increased risk exposure.
Pricing Insight from Our Team: Based on our experience insuring entertainment professionals since 2003, fire performers who bundle general liability with equipment coverage typically save 15% to 20% compared to purchasing policies separately.
We also find that performers with documented safety training and accident free records for 3+ years can negotiate lower premiums with carriers.
What Venues Require for Fire Performer Insurance
Understanding venue insurance requirements is crucial for securing fire performance bookings. Most professional venues, festivals, and event spaces have strict insurance mandates specifically for fire acts due to the elevated risk of fire-related incidents.
Standard Venue Requirements:
Minimum Coverage Limits:
- General Liability: $1,000,000 per occurrence minimum
- General Aggregate: $2,000,000 minimum
- Fire Legal Liability: $300,000 for damage to rented premises
- Some major venues require $3M/$5M limits for fire acts
Required Documents:
- Certificate of Insurance (COI) – Proof of active coverage
- Additional Insured Endorsement – Adding venue/organizer to your policy
- Waiver of Subrogation – Prevents insurer from suing venue
- Primary and Non-Contributory Endorsement – Your insurance pays first
Fire-Specific Requirements:
- Proof that fire performance is explicitly covered (not excluded)
- Confirmation of performer-controlled fire coverage
- Exclusions for audience participation with fire acts
- Height restrictions (typically 30 feet maximum for aerial fire)
- Indoor fire performance exclusions or special permits
Pro Tip: Always request venue insurance requirements at least 2-3 weeks before your performance date if possible. Some venues need certificates processed through their risk management departments, which can take 5-10 business days.
How to Choose the Best Fire Performer Insurance Provider
Selecting the right insurance provider for your fire performance business requires careful evaluation of coverage options, industry expertise, and service capabilities. Not all insurers understand the unique risks of fire performance, so choosing a specialized provider is critical. Keep the criteria below in mind when you’re choosing insurance coverage.
Find insurance providers with very specific insurances such as DJ insurance, bounce house insurance and pet grooming. Providers should be familiar with AFAA (North American Fire Arts Association) safety guidelines, fire performer specific exclusions and coverage needs, venue requirements for fire act insurance.
Fire performers often need insurance certificates quickly for last minute bookings called Certificate of Insurance (COI). Prioritize providers who offer instant COI generation within the same day or within hours of your request. The best providers give you 24/7 online access to policy documents, provide free additional insured certificates for venues, and offer mobile friendly certificate download options so you can access anywhere and anytime.
Claim handling process is important so look for providers based on their claims support capabilities. Also, find out if they offer 24/7 emergency claims reporting and provide fast track processing for event related claims.
Trusted Fire Performer Insurance Providers:
Start by obtaining quotes from specialized entertainment insurers. We recommend contacting:
- Specialty Insurance Agency – Covers fire performers, aerialists, and circus acts with specific fire performance endorsements
- K&K Insurance – Established performer insurance with fire act coverage since 1952
- PEEP Insurance – Performing Entertainers & Event Professionals with fire performer expertise
- Insurance Canopy – Fast online quotes and instant coverage for fire entertainers
Questions to Ask Providers:
1. “Is fire performance explicitly covered, and are there any exclusions?”
- Confirm coverage for fire breathing, fire poi, fire staff, fire eating, and fire dancing
- Understand exclusions (pyrotechnics, audience participation, indoor restrictions)
2. “How quickly can I receive a Certificate of Insurance?”
- Essential for last-minute booking confirmations
- Verify if additional insured certificates are free
3. “What’s your claims process for performance-related incidents?”
- Understand reporting timeframes
- Clarify if you have 24/7 emergency claims support
4. “Do you offer both annual and per-event coverage options?”
- Annual policies for regular performers (cost-effective for 3+ shows/year)
- Event policies for occasional fire performers or one-off gigs
Fire Safety Protocols That Lower Insurance Costs
Implementing comprehensive fire safety protocols not only reduces your risk of accidents but can also lower your insurance premiums. Insurance providers recognize performers who demonstrate professional safety standards and risk management practices.
Safety Best Practices for Fire Performers:
Training and Certification:
- Complete professional fire safety training programs
- Obtain certifications from recognized fire arts organizations (NAFAA)
- Document ongoing safety education and workshops
- Train backup safety crew members
Equipment and Site Safety:
- Conduct pre-performance site safety inspections
- Maintain fire safety equipment (extinguishers, fire blankets, burn kits)
- Use proper fuel storage containers and transport protocols
- Inspect all fire props before each performance
- Replace worn wicks, chains, and equipment regularly
Performance Protocols:
- Establish clear safety perimeters around performance area
- Assign dedicated fire safety crew for every performance
- Use fire-resistant performance costumes (avoid synthetics)
- Monitor weather conditions (wind speed, humidity, precipitation)
- Never perform fire acts indoors without proper permits and fire marshal approval
- Prohibit audience participation in fire elements
Documentation:
- Maintain equipment maintenance logs
- Keep records of safety inspections
- Document performer training and certifications
- Retain venue safety agreements and permits
Insurance Benefit: Performers who provide documentation of safety protocols, training certifications, and accident-free performance history may qualify for 10-20% premium discounts with some insurers.
Frequently Asked Questions about Fire Performer Insurance
Yes, fire performer insurance is essential and often mandatory. Most venues require proof of liability insurance before allowing fire acts to perform. Without coverage, you risk personal financial liability for injuries or property damage that can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars. Insurance also demonstrates professionalism and helps secure higher-paying bookings.
Annual policies range from $199-$900/year depending on coverage limits. Event-based policies cost $59-$250 per event. Performers doing 3+ shows annually save money with annual coverage. Costs vary based on performance frequency, fire act types (fire breathing costs more than fire poi), and venue requirements.
Purchase a fire performer insurance policy, request a certificate after binding coverage, provide venue details for additional insured endorsement, and receive your digital COI via email (typically instant to 24 hours). Most insurers offer instant COI downloads through online portals. Request COIs 1-2 weeks before performance dates.
Yes. Single-event policies cost $59-$250 and cover 1-3 days, ideal for occasional performers (1-2 shows per year) or one-off events. However, annual policies ($199-$400/year) are more cost-effective for performers doing 3+ shows annually with unlimited performance coverage.
Conclusion
The right fire performer insurance provides comprehensive protection against open flame risks, covers your valuable props and gear, and gives you peace of mind to focus on spectacular performances.
Always compare quotes from specialized providers, verify that fire acts are explicitly covered in your policy. Also, confirm they offer rapid Certificate of Insurance (COI) processing for last minute bookings.
Contact us today to get a customized fire performer insurance quote that protects your career and meets all venue requirements.