Potentially the biggest money-saving tip of all is one that all performing musicians ignore at their peril: Public Liability Insurance, or third-party and personal liability insurance. This covers you if someone tries to sue or claim against you for something that they perceive as your fault – anything from damaging someone’s car as you load in your equipment, to injuring someone with a falling speaker cabinet.

The Musician’s Union not only has comprehensive information on your rights and liabilities as a performer; it also offers legal liability and instrument insurance as part of your membership.

Also, when considering insurance policies for your musical equipment, call the provider and go through all the possible claim scenarios you can dream up. It’s tedious, but not as soul-destroying as writing off all your equipment in a car accident only to find it wasn’t covered in transit.

Check also whether the cover extends to your rehearsal space, unattended gear left overnight in a venue, and if you have one, whether your house insurance policy covers you when you’re out on the road.