This stigmatising of musicians has been going on for years...
I remember back in the late 1980s, when I was a professional musician, being refused car insurance by all the then main well known insurance companies.
When trying to challenge it at the time, I clearly remember some jobsworth at Direct Line telling me they wouldn't insure me in case I had someone famous in my car like (and I quote) "Mick Jagger", because if I had an accident with him in the car, it'd cost them millions... 🤦
Naturally, I said that Mick always came along to my gigs at the Dog and Duck in Deptford, and other such salubrious pubs in London (where you had to pay to play) because he had nothing better to do with his time!
As it happened, I was on the Musicians Union's North London Committee, so I raised the issue there and then the it was taken up at the MUs Head Office in Central London. Eventually, the MU struck a deal with General Accident for a bespoke car insurance policy for working musicians which was a massive win and a huge relief at the time.
I've no idea if GA and the MU still do this because I changed careers almost 25 years ago..
But this post has reminded me just how difficult it was back then as a musician to enjoy the same basic rights as others, and sadly, how it still seems to be the case.
It's also made me think that I need to double check the situation with my car insurance cover for the 50 or so gigs and rehearsals I do each year for my 'hobby'...