Crafters insurance

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

From what I have been reading here lately, most members do small craft shows. I have not seen major large shows talked about where a table fee of $500 or more is needed. But even with that said has any of the crafters that sell run into the need for crafters insurance in order to be a crafter at that show and if so how are you handling it.? I hear going through homeowners ins. is way too expensive an supposibly there are add on policies out there or stand alone policies too. It seems this maybe the trend coming from what I am hearing. People are sue happy these days.  

[amazingkevin]

From what I have been reading here lately, most members do small craft shows. I have not seen major large shows talked about where a table fee of $500 or more is needed. But even with that said has any of the crafters that sell run into the need for crafters insurance in order to be a crafter at that show and if so how are you handling it.? I hear going through homeowners ins. is way too expensive an supposibly there are add on policies out there or stand alone policies too. It seems this maybe the trend coming from what I am hearing. People are sue happy these days.  

i've worried about this as long as i've been scrolling .code enforcement's and osha can really reek havoc on your life .Having unsafe finishes on your work is a no no and a steep fine for such.Copy-write infringements ,Manufacturing license .product testing are all out of reach for crafters .Travis has done many articles thru the years on these subject and it's enough to scare the wits out of you if caught.

[Lucky2]

Let me say this, I'm so happy to be Canadian, we don't have to worry so much about being sued. Yes we can be sued, but, not for the frivolous reasons that people in the states are. And most of the lawsuits that do exist and succeed, are not for the large monetary amounts that are awarded in the states. We considered moving to the states years ago, I had a guaranteed very good paying job waiting. And my wife is a ER nurse, and there was lots of work for her available. Up to and until we looked into buying insurance for her, we were going to move. We changed our minds very quickly, after learning about how much the insurance would cost. It was an insane amount, and it was to grow in amount yearly. Bottom line, it was more profitable to stay in Canada.

Len

[dgman]

John, the only show I have done that required insurance provided a resource for a one day crafters policy. I think it was around $12 or something like that.

[EarltheScroller]

I have done many shows and never been asked about insurance and I haven't worried about it. I haven't done any with high table prices because I just don't see how I would ever make enough to justify the fee. Also many of the bigger shows around here require collecting sales tax and that entails way too much work unless you figure you can make several thousand dollars at the show. I'm not in that group! 

[Phantom Scroller]

Don't the village hall insurance covers you for accidents if someone jumps on your table. I COULD BE WRONG! Roly

[trailfndr]

Many of your "Better" shows require liability insurance.  ACT  (Arts, Crafters and Tradesman Insurance ) has a policy designed for those shows.  You can get coverage for a single show for as low as 39.00 or a full year of coverage (which also includes your shop) for under $300.00

 

here is a link to their site  www.actinsurance.com I used them for my recent show simply because I believe in protecting myself from the possibility of someone getting hurt, or my display falling over and damaging the artist next to me or their stock.  As they say,  Better to be safe, then sorry

[don in brooklin on]

In Canada, if your club belongs to the Society of Woodworkers and obtains insurance on their group policy it extends to the members who sell crafts. 

 

There are a couple of exceptions.  It only covers part-time crafts people who sell occasionaly and not their sole source of employment and it does not cover toys or chairs.

 

For our club it is an exceptional deal.

[lawson56]

There are several place here close to me that require ins,and also a large set up fee,they require you to set up at lest 3 days.And a few require not only a set up fee but a percentage of what you make.I stay away from them.

[hawkeye10]

I use to do one or two gun shows a year ( not for profit ) and they never required insurance, I my niece did a big show for women ( jewelry & stuff ) I don't think she had insurance but I am not sure. She pays like $300 for that show. 

[NC Scroller]

Many of your "Better" shows require liability insurance.  ACT  (Arts, Crafters and Tradesman Insurance ) has a policy designed for those shows.  You can get coverage for a single show for as low as 39.00 or a full year of coverage (which also includes your shop) for under $300.00

 

here is a link to their site  www.actinsurance.com I used them for my recent show simply because I believe in protecting myself from the possibility of someone getting hurt, or my display falling over and damaging the artist next to me or their stock.  As they say,  Better to be safe, then sorry

Thanks for the link. I have always had this concern in the back of my mind. $39 an event is really reasonable.

[Phantom Scroller]

$39 That's more than my tables worth.

[Paladin]

I've seen a few shows by me requiring insurance and I just don't go to them.  I asked my insurance guy and the cost to add that kind of thing to my homeowner's insurance was ridiculous.  Possibly the $39 per event deal would be the way to go if it was a show you REALLY wanted to do, but there are plenty of shows that don't require it, so I will just stick with those.

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Those shows for now do not have them but when things get a foothold then they snowball. It could be a matter of time when it is a requirement. Just as it is with meeting Fire regulations when assembling. Covering one's butt is the norm today. 

[orangeman]

Many of your "Better" shows require liability insurance.  ACT  (Arts, Crafters and Tradesman Insurance ) has a policy designed for those shows.  You can get coverage for a single show for as low as 39.00 or a full year of coverage (which also includes your shop) for under $300.00

 

here is a link to their site  www.actinsurance.com I used them for my recent show simply because I believe in protecting myself from the possibility of someone getting hurt, or my display falling over and damaging the artist next to me or their stock.  As they say,  Better to be safe, then sorry

Thanks for the link. I looked at them a while back but never acted. I'm thinking I will now since someone almost tripped and fell during one of my recent shows. I called them and they will NOT sell me an annual policy because I make and sell puzzles some of which are children's toys which are excluded for coverage. I expected that. But they will sell me a single show policy for $39 or a 90 day policy for $89. That would give me general liability coverage if someone is injured in the booth or if wind causes my tent to become airborne and damages other property. I think it is good coverage to have.

 

bb

Edited December 6, 2016 by orangeman

[redwine]

The only show that we have done was the Cottonwood Festival a few years ago that was sponsored by the city than by the chamber of commerce and insurance was required by having your own or purchasing along with the entry fee. This show was always in the large city park so I guess they were covering their backsides as they surely are insured for promotions. The cost of the insurance used to be $40 now its $65. This was for 3days.

We looked into our home insurance for coverage and the interview was going along fine until the one item of wooden toys was mentioned and that stopped the interview as they would not provide insurance for toys. We  did look into the site mentioned above and that would be the way to go and I believe that the insurance for single events would cover up to 3 days and was for $1mil liability.

As with most of the crafters here and other sites, we have not been to any shows of $300 or more, those shows are in the northern part of the state(NM) and to expensive to go to with having to stay in motel for the duration.

Erv

[Dan]

In my opinion, insurance is a 4-letter word...SCAM. I understand why some shows require it but be sure to read the fine line when buying a policy. I have not met a crafter at a show that had insurance to cover incidents that involve a show. I am usually cordial to the surrounding sellers and feel a gentleman's agreement (no offense ladies) will settle most accidents. As for shows someone tripping and injuring themself in my booth, I was told the event property insurance would cover that.

 

Has anyone ever submitted an insurance claim from a craft show? 

[orangeman]

In my opinion, insurance is a 4-letter word...SCAM. I understand why some shows require it but be sure to read the fine line when buying a policy. I have not met a crafter at a show that had insurance to cover incidents that involve a show. I am usually cordial to the surrounding sellers and feel a gentleman's agreement (no offense ladies) will settle most accidents. As for shows someone tripping and injuring themself in my booth, I was told the event property insurance would cover that.

 

Has anyone ever submitted an insurance claim from a craft show? 

There is a site for rating major insurance companies and that is why I went with Amica for my auto/homeowners/umbrella. It costs a little more but their reputation for paying claims is excellent. As I recall USAA fared excellent as well regarding payment of claims. You can probably guess who the bad actors are. Just like restaurants: If they have to advertise then they are probably not that good. It would be nice to know what the reputation of ACT is in paying claims. As with any insurance company there is recourse with your state insurance commissioner if they give you grief.