Bloody show-off
The city of Sydney license is pretty good. It covers a lot of ground and it gives you a fair bit of flexibility. The problem is it doesn’t cover Circular Quay, one of the best busking spots in Sydney (where the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge live).
I checked the website to see how to get a license, only $20 for a year; it sounded too good to be true. It was. Turns out I needed public liability insurance. I called GIO.
“You’ve called GIO insurance, this is Karen. How can I help you?”
“Hi Karen, I play the trombone, I’m looking to get public liability insurance.”
Silence.
“Hello? Karen? Are you there?”
“Ummm yes, I’m sorry Miss….”
“Sebestyen”
“Miss Sebestyen. What is your enquiry today?”
“I just wanted to get a quote for public liability insurance. Do you do public liability insurance?”
“Yes we do. What is your business?”
“I’m a street performer”
“And you require insurance for….”
“Busking.”
“Busking?”
“Yes, I play the trombone”
“Ummmmm, right, ahh OK, hmmm... do you mind holding? I’ll just go ask someone.”
“No problem.”
One minute later.
“I’m sorry, we don’t do that.”
Fortunately the people at duck for cover specialize in insurance for entertainers. We’re talking every kind of entertainer under the sun from clairvoyants to baton twirlers to whip crackers and fortune tellers. I’m now covered as a musician, a bingo caller and a balloon sculptor for up to $20million. Unfortunately, I’m not insured for sword swallowing or anything to do with bed of nails. Shame.
The good news is I didn't have to get the extra special safety busking permit. When I went to get my license, the woman asked what my act was.
"You play the trombone? Oh good, so you don't need a special permit"
"I guess not."
"Wait, you don't light your trombone on fire do you?"
"No. Not intentionally."
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