1. When do the changes apply?
On 1 April 2023.
2. Who do the changes apply to?
The changes will affect Artist members, Arts Organiser members and Joint Artist and Arts Organiser members.
The new insurance policy does not provide cover for Student members, for HE/FE members (Jisc), or for Organisation members.
3. In summary, what is changing?
There will be one insurance policy covering Artist members and Arts Organiser members.
The policy will provide all Artist members and all Arts Organiser members with insurance cover for working as a self-employed artist – as well as insurance cover for other self-employed or freelance roles across the visual arts sector.
The new insurance policy merges the current Artists PPL & PI insurance policy (for Artist members) and the Creative Freelance insurance policy (for Arts Organiser members).
4. What are the cover limits?
The policy will provide £10m Public and Products Liability (PPL) cover and £5m Professional Indemnity (PI) cover.
5. Will the cost of a-n membership increase?
No. Artist membership and Arts Organiser membership will both remain £38.
6. I am an Artist member. How will the changes benefit me?
The main benefit for Artist members is free insurance cover for other self-employed or freelance work within the visual arts.
As artists, many of you supplement your income with other freelance work. Without the proper insurance in place you may put yourselves at professional risk or not be eligible for some contracts and opportunities.
The new insurance policy means that you can take on additional work and be insured for these professional activities in the visual arts – giving peace of mind, saving the cost of a separate insurance policy, and protecting your business.
Examples include, working as a freelance curator, art handler, art technician, coach or mentor, consultant, project manager, artist’s agent, communications and marketing, art educator, creative facilitator, producer, arts fundraiser.
7. I am an Arts Organiser member. How will the changes benefit me?
The main benefit for Arts Organiser members is free insurance included in your membership.
From 1 April 2023, the new insurance policy means that all a-n Arts Organiser members will be insured for their professional work across the visual arts sector.
Arts Organiser members will no longer need to purchase or renew the Creative Freelance policy in addition to their membership, as this cover will be included within the £38 a-n membership (saving Arts Organiser members approximately £120 a year).
8. I am a Joint Artist and Arts Organiser member. How will the changes benefit me?
The main benefit for Joint Artist and Arts Organiser members is free insurance included in your membership – and your membership price being reduced from £48 to £38.
From 1 April 2023 we will be removing the ‘Joint Artist and Arts Organiser’ membership type and your membership will be converted automatically into ‘Artist’ membership.
This will not affect your membership with a-n. Your renewal date, your history with a-n, your benefits, your account, and any content you have uploaded to the a-n website (such as Blogs) will continue unaffected.
Once your membership type has been converted to ‘Artist’ member, your renewal price will be reduced from £48 to £38. If you pay by Direct Debit, you will receive an email confirming the change to your Direct Debit from £48 to £38.
9. I have a Creative Freelance insurance policy with Hencilla. What do the changes mean for me?
You will receive emails from Hencilla and a-n about the changes.
You will no longer need to purchase or renew the Creative Freelance insurance policy with Hencilla. From 1 April 2023 you will be insured within your £38 a-n membership, saving you approximately £120 a year.
Your insurance cover will also be enhanced: Public and Products Liability (PPL) cover will increase from £5m to £10m; Professional Indemnity (PI) cover will increase from £1m to £5m. Your continuous cover for Professional Indemnity (PI) will be unaffected.
10. I am a Student member. What do the changes mean for me?
There are no changes.
Student members do not have insurance included in their membership and this will not change on 1 April 2023.
11. I am an Organisation member. What do the changes mean for me?
There are no changes.
Organisation members (with up to 5 users) do not have insurance included in their membership and this will not change on 1 April 2023.
12. I am an HE/FE member with a Jisc licence. What do the changes mean for me?
There are no changes.
HE/FE members with a Jisc licence do not have insurance included in their membership and this will not change on 1 April 2023.
If your question is not answered in these FAQs, please contact [email protected] or [email protected].
FAQs about other a-n and Hencilla insurance products will be added to this page at a later date.