7 Common Questions About Insurance For Artists And Crafters

7 ANSWERS TO FAQ ABOUT ACT INSURANCE

Designing unique works and wares is a skillful dance between imagination and craftsmanship. Yet even the most talented creatives need protection from the unexpected. That’s where we come in!

At ACT Insurance, we specialize in safeguarding the unique needs of artists and crafters. Our policies are crafted with the same care and precision you put into your work. We understand the nuances of your craft and offer the best protection to ensure your work remains your passion and livelihood.

We also understand the nuances of the artist and crafters insurance world and are here to answer the top questions we often hear from people just like you.

Let’s paint a clearer picture of arts and crafts insurance protection!

A female creative is preparing to screen print her artwork.

1. How Much Does Arts and Crafts Insurance Cost?

Arts and crafts insurance starts at $24.25/month for ACT Pro and $49/event for ACT Go.

The price of a policy won’t go up based on where you live or the type of event you are attending, so you can enjoy the same affordable coverage wherever you work. You also have the option to add additional coverage to an ACT Pro policy at a low monthly rate.

The best part? There are no deductibles for liability claims. This means your claims could be covered at little to no extra cost to you!

ACT Pro Pricing

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$0 – $50,000 in Annual Sales

$50,000 – $100,000 in Annual Sales

Optional Tools, Supplies & Inventory Coverage (Inland Marine)

Optional Professional Liability

Optional Cyber Liability

* Additional Tools, Supplies, & Inventory Coverage limits available up to $10,000/$50,000.

ACT Go Pricing (for consecutive days)

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Up to 90 Days (EZ Renew Option Available)

2. What Types of Insurance Do Artists and Crafters Need?

Artists and crafters need various types of insurance to protect themselves, their work, and their businesses from costly claims. The most important coverages you should look for are:

You can often find some of these coverages grouped in one policy. Others are offered as optional add-ons for an additional price. It’s important to know what types of coverage are most beneficial to you so you can choose a policy that offers what you need.

A glassworker is listening to music in headphones as her works on a stained glass piece in a shared studio.

3. How Does Liability Insurance Protect Me as an Artist?

Liability insurance protects you against potential financial setbacks to your business, legal battles, and out-of-pocket expenses from injuries or damages. The most common claims we help artists and crafters cover include:

A painter is working on her latest piece, surrounded by her paints and tools in her studio.

4. Do I Need Insurance If I Only Sell Online or at Craft Fairs?

Yes! Selling your work anywhere can bring new risks to your business, such as:

Also, more and more events require arts and crafts vendors to show proof of insurance before attending. Having insurance makes it easier to meet event requirements and have peace of mind while attending an event.

If you have a storefront on a site like Amazon or Etsy, you might not be aware of loopholes in seller’s policies — online retail platforms don’t often protect sellers as much as you may think.

You could be exposed to things like indemnification clauses, leaving you to battle claims alone while also paying for any expenses your case may bring to the online platform.

Insurance is a financial safety net for your business, letting you sell your products online and at events with peace of mind!

A crafter sets up her handmade floral wreaths in her booth at an indoor craft fair.

5. What is a COI and How Do I Add an Additional Insured to It?

A COI is a Certificate of Insurance. This is the official document from an insurance provider that can be used to show proof of insurance. It will include your policy information, coverage details, and dates of coverage. A COI is also known as an ACORD form.

You can add an unlimited number of additional insureds to your COI for free with ACT Insurance! This can be done during the application process when you buy a policy online, or from your customer dashboard after you’ve bought a policy:

  1. Log in to your customer dashboard
  2. Click on “Add Additional Insureds”
  3. Enter the additional insured’s information

Your COI will automatically update with the additional insured information included. You can access this by clicking on “Proof of Insurance” and downloading a copy of your certificate for free. A copy of your COI will also be sent to the email of the additional insured(s) you provided, so you don’t have to worry about manually sending them a copy.

Typically you will be asked by an event, venue, or business to add them as an additional insured. They will request to be added to your COI or policy, usually for an event or partnership. Adding an additional insured extends your coverage to them in the event of an accident you cause that affects them.

For example, if someone slipped in your booth and broke their arm, the injured person could sue you and the venue. Since the venue is added as an additional insured, your insurance policy could protect both you and the venue in the suit.

A female creative is happily smiling at her laptop as she responds to customers online from her studio.

6. How Do I File a Claim if Something Happens to My Artwork or Supplies?

You can file a claim online with ACT at any time from your online dashboard, even from your phone while at an event.

In order to have coverage for a claim involving your artwork or supplies, you will need to be an ACT Pro policyholder and have Tools, Supplies, & Inventory Coverage added to your plan (this coverage cannot be added to ACT Go policies at this time). Without it, your claim will likely be denied.

Also, for claims involving theft, you will need to provide a copy of a police report before you file a claim. We cannot receive this information from the police department ourselves. It can be very difficult to be approved for coverage without a police report.

To begin the claims filing process:

  1. Log in to your customer dashboard
  2. Click on “File A Claim”
  3. Provide your policy information, the police report, and a description of the event
  4. Submit your claim

Our team will reach out within 1–2 business days letting you know we received your claim and are sending the information to a claims adjuster. The adjuster will then be in touch within 1–2 business days. They will investigate your claim and answer any questions you may have.

A jewelry maker is working with his tools on a new ring.

7. If I Purchase a Policy, When and Where am I Covered?

You can enjoy instant coverage with ACT! After buying a policy, you can immediately access, download, and share your Certificate of Insurance.

Need to set a specific start date for your policy? When purchasing a policy, you can choose the day your policy begins. This is known as a policy effective date and is the day your coverage will start.

We allow you to select today’s date as a policy effective date. This gives you same-day coverage, so you’re protected from the minute you pay. Depending on the policy length you choose, your coverage will last 3 days, 7 days, 90 days, or 1 year after the start date.

The last day of coverage is known as the expiration date. This is when your coverage ends. The time you have coverage between the effective and expiration dates is known as the policy period.

Once your coverage kicks in, you’re covered 24/7 in most locations and at most events in the United States. With the ACT Pro policy, you’re even covered for the work you do online!

There are some exclusions and limits to your coverage, like ACT being unable to cover you while at CBD events, political rallies, or martial arts events.

You also cannot be covered while running your own retail store, but your products can be covered while they are being sold in a retail store owned by someone else. Your products could also be covered while in transit across land (either being shipped to a customer or transported to an event).