Wedding DJ insurance, COI & SOCAN: what Ottawa venues actually require.
I carry year-round liability coverage for my Ottawa weddings. I request the COI from my insurer and send it to your venue before its deadline. SOCAN and Re:Sound are event licences, separate from my fee. Most Ottawa venues hold them; I flag it on our planning call if yours does not.
Key takeaways
- Many Ottawa venues want vendors to carry liability insurance and send a COI.
- I carry year-round liability coverage and send the COI before your venue's deadline.
- SOCAN and Re:Sound are event licences, separate from my fee.
- Most Ottawa venues hold them. If yours does not, I flag it on our planning call.
On this page
Why venues ask
A reception can have a few hundred pounds of equipment among guests and drinks. A speaker stand trip or a subwoofer denting hardwood is why the venue wants vendor coverage to respond.
Your venue contract may say "vendor must carry liability insurance" and "music licensing is the client's responsibility". I get emails about those two lines every season.
What your venue asks for
Read your venue contract for these. They are the usual asks.
- Liability insurance.
Many venues want commercial general liability (CGL) insurance.
- A certificate of insurance (COI).
It is proof the policy is active.
- Additional-insured wording.
The venue may want to be named on the certificate.
- A minimum limit.
The policy must meet or exceed the limit the venue sets.
- A deadline.
Usually two to four weeks ahead. Some venues refuse a vendor who misses it.
- Extras.
Some also ask for safe electrical and equipment practices, a sound form, or proof of music licensing.
The COI, in plain words
You ask me for the COI. I request it from my insurer and send it to your venue. Here is what I need from you.
- The venue's exact legal name and address.
- Your event date.
- The required limit and the additional-insured wording.
- Then I contact my broker for the endorsement.
Check that the policy dates include your wedding and that the description identifies your event. The limit is the most the policy will pay. The venue files the certificate.
SOCAN and Re:Sound, explained honestly
SOCAN pays songwriters, composers and music publishers. Re:Sound pays recording performers and record labels. Both are separate from my DJ fee, and Re:Sound is typically smaller.
Ask your venue one question: do you hold a blanket SOCAN and Re:Sound licence? Insurance and music licensing are separate checks.
| Question | Yes, it does | No, it does not |
|---|---|---|
| Is your wedding covered? | Yes. Events there are covered. | It needs per-event licensing. |
| Who files? | Nobody. The venue holds it. | The host files the small per-event fee with SOCAN and Re:Sound. |
| Where does this happen? | Most established Ottawa venues. | A tent, a private estate or a raw space. |
| What I do | Nothing extra to do. | I flag it on our planning call. |
Questions to ask any DJ before you sign
- Are you insured?
Ask about commercial general liability insurance.
- Can you send a COI naming my venue by its deadline?
Ask whether it can meet the venue's limit and additional-insured wording.
- Is your music legally sourced?
Ask what they know about SOCAN and Re:Sound requirements.
Any good DJ should answer each one quickly. Mine: year-round liability coverage, a COI on request and licensed music are standard, not add-ons.
I arrange DJ, sound, mics and lighting in one booking, with year-round liability coverage in place. Lighting details are confirmed in your quote.
What couples say
We have a really wide range of taste, from house to country to rap to oldies, and he nailed every single one.
Communication was seamless, he understood exactly the vibe we wanted, and he had everyone on the dance floor all night.
Insurance, COI & SOCAN FAQ.
Does my Ottawa wedding venue require my DJ to have insurance?
Many Ottawa hotels, golf clubs, banquet halls and city-run heritage sites require outside vendors to carry commercial general liability insurance and send a COI before the event. It covers third-party injury or property damage, such as a cable trip or floor damage. I carry year-round liability coverage and provide a COI naming your venue on request.
What is a Certificate of Insurance (COI) and how do I get one for my DJ?
A COI is a one-page document from the DJ's insurer proving an active liability policy. It lists the policy number, coverage limit and effective and expiry dates, often with your venue as additional insured. The venue keeps it on file before the event. You ask me for it; I request it from my insurer.
What are SOCAN and Re:Sound, and do I have to pay them for my wedding?
SOCAN pays songwriters, composers and music publishers; Re:Sound pays recording performers and record labels. Both tariffs technically apply to recorded music with dancing. Copyright Board of Canada tariffs set small per-event fees based on room size, higher with dancing. Re:Sound is typically smaller. Most full-service Ottawa venues hold a blanket licence covering their events.
Who pays SOCAN and Re:Sound, me, the venue, or the DJ?
Usually not you. The venue or event host holds the licence, and it is separate from my DJ fee. Most established Ottawa venues carry a blanket licence that covers your wedding. At a tent, private estate or raw space, the host files the small per-event fee. I flag this on our planning call, so it is never a surprise.
How do I confirm a wedding DJ is properly insured and legitimate?
Ask about commercial general liability insurance and a COI naming your venue; whether it can meet the venue's limit, additional-insured wording and deadline, often two to four weeks before the wedding; and legally sourced music and SOCAN/Re:Sound requirements. Any good DJ should answer each one quickly. My year-round liability coverage, COI on request and licensed music are standard, not add-ons.
Why does the venue need my DJ to have liability insurance at all?
If a guest trips on a cable or a speaker falls, the venue wants the DJ's policy to respond first. This is standard risk transfer, rather than a criticism of you or your vendor. It is also why the venue asks for the certificate before the event, so everyone knows the coverage is in place.
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