News & MediaSecuring affordable and fit-for-purpose insurance has been a massive challenge for the circus and physical theatre sector in recent years, and TNA has been working hard to support the sector and find solutions. Right now, we are focusing on two key actions to support the CaPT sector: developing a sector-wide solution* with broker/s; and sharing resources to equip the sector with information and tools when navigating this issue.
A Sector-Wide Solution
Thanks to fabulous work by Tom Davis (Warehouse Circus) and members of Youth Circus Australia Network (YCAN), TNA is now working with a broker from MIH Insurance Brokers. We have shared findings and anonymised data about the size and needs of the CaPT sector, to work towards a tailored, sector-wide insurance facility.
| MIH is asking organisations (youth, social, performing, training centres) and artists from the circus sector to send current policies (including renewals, full policy schedules, premiums, wording, excesses, inclusions and exclusions). This will help them get a complete picture of costs, coverage and gaps. If you can spare a moment and would like to be involved, please email your policy documents to TNA and we will compile and pass them on: admin@tna.org.au |
If you’d like to learn more about MIH Insurance Brokers, get in touch with Rodney: rodney@mihinsurancebrokers.com.au
Circus Insurance Deep Dives
TNA has also created a two-part series with resources and information to support CaPT artists and organisations in navigating the insurance market:
The insurance landscape is constantly evolving, so TNA is making every effort to stay across this and find the most up-to-date and relevant information for our sector.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far through advocacy efforts and by sharing data, experiences and insights. Special thanks to Christy Flaws who spearheaded much of this work throughout 2023-2024. Please reach out anytime if you have questions or something you’d like to share.
Steph Speirs & the TNA team
*A note about Aon: some sector members may remember a specialised insurance facility that used to be offered through Aon Insurance. This agreement was negotiated by ACAPTA and taken on by TNA in 2017. Despite TNA’s best efforts, the agreement was wound up by Aon following the departure of the individual broker who had championed it internally to their underwriters. While some CaPT artists and companies still hold policies with Aon, TNA has received reports of shrinking coverage, increased premiums and a reluctance to offer new policies. TNA has reached out to Aon about this, and they have advised that they do not currently have an appetite to explore revisiting a sector policy, and that they have limited interest in taking on new insurance customers from the CaPT sector.
Advocacy Recap: TNA’s work so far
Over the past three years, TNA has:
- compiled data and experiences from 50+ CaPT artists and organisations
- contacted 20+ insurance providers to investigate available coverage
- connected with arts peaks (including NAVA and Music Victoria) to share mutual challenges, information and resources
- assisted ArtsHub with their article spotlighting this issue and its impacts
- reached out to the Insurance Council of Australia for advocacy discussions
- advocated to government and funders to raise awareness of current challenges and advocate for ways they can better support the sector
- engaged with several brokers to explore sector-wide solutions
- created a suite of resources and tools to help the sector navigate the insurance market
For more information, please contact Steph Speirs on steph@tna.org.au or (03) 9947 1015.