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Entrepreneurship:  Liability Insurance for Artists/Crafters  |
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abbasgurl
True Blue Farmgirl
1262 Posts
Rhonda
USA
1262 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 21 2007 : 12:26:12 PM
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Does anyone know a company that sells liability insurance to crafters/vendors for festivals, shows & faires? I'd especially love to hear of a company you have personal experience with. My insurance people here just give me a blank look when I inquire about this. Thanks in advance!
Rhonda
I'm a one girl revolution. |
Edited by - abbasgurl on Jun 21 2007 12:27:03 PM |
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mikesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
3659 Posts
Sherri
Elma
WA
USA
3659 Posts |
Posted - Jun 21 2007 : 12:55:52 PM
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| I've been doing this for a while and last year was the first time that I have run into a show that required liability insurance. I just told them I couldn't do their show and a bunch of other artists/crafters must have done the same because I got an invitation to their show again this year and they said insurance was optional. I asked my cousin who is a high-end jewelery artist about it, and she has never had it either. She's been doing shows about 25 years. I don't know of any insurance companies that provide this. Mine didn't have a clue when I asked them either. |
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abbasgurl
True Blue Farmgirl
1262 Posts
Rhonda
USA
1262 Posts |
Posted - Jun 21 2007 : 1:29:48 PM
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Thanks Sherri,
I am tired of "opting out" of bigger(& more profitable) shows because of the insurance issue. I am finding that most of them do require it. Years ago when I was on the show circuit this was never a question. Sadly, it has become one in our lawsuit crazy world. So... the search is on. There are many companies online, but I'd prefer to have a recommendation if at all possible. I'd especially like to find a company that will insure individual events. Thanks for your input, I appreciate it!!
Rhonda
I'm a one girl revolution. |
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willowtreecreek
True Blue Farmgirl
4813 Posts
Julie
Russell
AR
USA
4813 Posts |
Posted - Jun 21 2007 : 3:36:48 PM
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I was at a craft fair last year and someones canopy fell when the wind blew and hit someone on the head. The person was OBVIOUSLY fine and walk around for a few minutes and said she was fine. Then suddenly she decided she was really hurt and lay on the ground calling for an ambulence. She filed a lawsuit against the city the fair was in. The courts dismissed it. I would get the insurance. HAve you checked with your regular insurance agency? I was able to get it at the same place I get my homeowners insurange.
Jewelry, art, baskets, etc.
www.willowartist.etsy.com
www.willowtreecreek.com |
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mikesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
3659 Posts
Sherri
Elma
WA
USA
3659 Posts |
Posted - Jun 21 2007 : 4:23:54 PM
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| Wow Julie, that's really scary. I was watching the booth of a jewelry lady who was next to me a couple of weeks ago and she didn't have her tent anchored down. It was getting a bit windy and I warned her, but she didn't believe me that they can and do blow over. I always anchor mine with stakes and weights. Anyway, that's interesting that the same agency that sells homeowners sells you liability for craft fairs. I have Farmers Ins. and my agent said he'd never heard of it. Do you get a separate policy for each show or is it an annual thing? |
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TheSoapMaven
True Blue Farmgirl
691 Posts
Susan
LA
USA
691 Posts |
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Lizabeth
True Blue Farmgirl
560 Posts
Washington
560 Posts |
Posted - Jun 21 2007 : 5:25:31 PM
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I just initiated a business owners policy with The Hartford. They cover business items/inventory/equipment at my home and at my craft booth space; as well as having a liability clause for events. It is quite affordable and a wise investment, especially for those of us who keep at home the majority of our business goods.
Another question may be to look at your homeowner's policy... they may "not want to know" that you are doing a business out of your home, or they may offer a business owners policy.
Also, the national craft association has a lot of good resources: http://www.craftassoc.com/
The industry term for a comprehensive policy is "business owners policy" or "b.o.p." for short. You could google this and see what companies come up.
http://www.handcraftsbyheather.com |
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mikesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
3659 Posts
Sherri
Elma
WA
USA
3659 Posts |
Posted - Jun 21 2007 : 5:27:03 PM
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| thanks Heather! |
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Lizabeth
True Blue Farmgirl
560 Posts
Washington
560 Posts |
Posted - Jun 21 2007 : 5:44:32 PM
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My pleasure! I know it is important to have our ++++ covered :) I do not want to have to replace my investments out of pocket!
I found a lot about this and other great tips in "the complete idiot's guide: making money with your hobby". At first I was hesitant about this book as many idiots' guides are rather, well, basic, but this book is an exception. it is actually written by the managing director of the national craft association. It is a great read for anyone new to the business field or who has been doing it a while and would like to improve.
http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Idiots-Guide-Making-Money/dp/0028638255
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mikesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
3659 Posts
Sherri
Elma
WA
USA
3659 Posts |
Posted - Jun 21 2007 : 6:12:25 PM
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| I have the other one - the Dummies guide - and I really didn't get much out of it. I might check this one out. Maybe I'm more of an idiot than a dummie! LOL |
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Lizabeth
True Blue Farmgirl
560 Posts
Washington
560 Posts |
Posted - Jun 21 2007 : 8:50:45 PM
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hee hee. that's cute! perhaps a sewing "idiot savant"? since you are so creative?
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willowtreecreek
True Blue Farmgirl
4813 Posts
Julie
Russell
AR
USA
4813 Posts |
Posted - Jun 21 2007 : 9:13:52 PM
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Mine too is a b.o.p. It is not specific to craft fairs. I have Farm Bureau insurance. It is an annual plan but is not too expensive.
Jewelry, art, baskets, etc.
www.willowartist.etsy.com
www.willowtreecreek.com |
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abbasgurl
True Blue Farmgirl
1262 Posts
Rhonda
USA
1262 Posts |
Posted - Jun 22 2007 : 10:33:26 AM
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Thanks everyone for your great input! I spoke with my Farm Bureau agent this morning and he is looking into it for me. Last year when I tried to get him to do this he seemed hesitant, even uninformed. I was more insistent this time, sweetly reminding him that I'd like to get all my insurance in one place. 
My homeowners insurance does cover inventory and supplies kept in my home, as it is considered personal property in my county. I am also covered if I have an open house here for my business, as long as I am not running a storefront from my home. This coverage is much like you have for a garage sale etc. Homeowners does not cover inventory or supplies after it leaves my house, such as consignment or shows.
I really strive to have integrity in my business dealings and play by the rules. Sometimes following the rules or laws makes something unprofitable or just plain impossible. That's when I just opt out or find another (honest) way to do things. And I agree with everyone that we need to be safe, rather than sorry, on the liability issue.
I appreciate all the information and will take a look at the idiot's guide as well as the links everyone gave. Thanks so much!
Rhonda
I'm a one girl revolution. |
Edited by - abbasgurl on Jun 24 2007 10:27:30 PM |
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Vintage Redhead
True Blue Farmgirl
233 Posts
Kaylyn
Saint Charles
IL
USA
233 Posts |
Posted - Jun 24 2007 : 3:41:21 PM
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I have Farmer's Insurance, too. They *do* have it - but it has a really unusual name. Something about "temporary vendor liability" endorsement or "home-based business liability" endorsement but I can't recall. I insured my craft closet on an endorsement a few years ago...and we discussed this craft-fair insurance at that point. I wish I could remember the exact name, but I don't.
I do think that nearly every home-owners insurance policy would have *some* type of endorsement for it. Just start looking online for the endorsement, then call your agent with the "Form" -- most of them are industry standard, the only thing that changes are the ratings -- to see if s/he handles the endorsement. ~ K
~ Kaylyn ~ (Living in Suburbia with a FARMGIRL Heart!)
My Cause: http://nickspavilion.blogspot.com/
My Life: http://vintageredhead.blogspot.com |
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Entrepreneurship: Liability Insurance for Artists/Crafters |
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Liability Insurance for Artists/Crafters
