Get Craft Show Insurance in Minutes

From first-time artisans testing local markets to experienced crafters working a regular show circuit, a Gigsure event liability policy is bought one event at a time and produces the certificate of insurance a venue asks for. Many event organizers ask for proof of coverage before booth setup, and vendors without it risk having a booth application turned down.

This guide explains the coverage options available at checkout, from deciding what your booth needs to obtaining your certificate of insurance within minutes.

What Is Craft Show Insurance?

This is short-term event coverage for artisans who create and sell handmade goods at indoor markets and fairs. It's a form of general liability insurance written for the distinct exposures crafters encounter when selling directly to consumers.

The policy is general liability for third-party bodily injury and third-party property damage, and it includes Damage to Premises Rented To You of $100,000 at no extra charge. Policies vary. See your issued policy for applicable terms, limits, conditions, and exclusions.

Who Needs This Coverage

Vendor protection is available for eligible vendors selling handmade merchandise at public events, including:

• Full-time crafters who participate in numerous shows annually
• Hobbyists who vend at periodic weekend markets
• Etsy sellers transitioning into face-to-face events
• Seasonal vendors who operate holiday markets and summer festivals

Event-Based vs. Business Insurance

Gigsure sells per-event policies only: one event, one policy. If you vend at many shows a year, an annual commercial policy from another insurer may suit your schedule better. What a per-event policy gives you is a certificate of insurance naming the venue as an additional insured, which is the document the venue is actually asking for.

Why Craft Vendors Need Protection

Accidents happen at craft shows. A shopper trips over display equipment. A booth fixture scuffs the venue floor on the way in. Without coverage, a vendor can be personally on the hook for a third-party injury or damage claim, and this is the kind of incident liability coverage exists for.

Venue Requirements

Many craft shows and markets ask vendors to supply a Certificate of Insurance (COI) before the event. That document is what the venue is checking for, and it is what a Gigsure policy produces within minutes of purchase.

Event organizers typically mandate:

• Minimum coverage limits of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate. Policies vary. See your issued policy for applicable terms, limits, conditions, and exclusions.
• Additional insured status for the venue, or the owner, manager, or lessor of the premises
• Certificate delivery before the event date, often well beforehand
• Specific endorsements such as Waiver of Subrogation or Primary and Non-Contributory

Failure to satisfy these requirements can cost you your booth, regardless of booth fee payment. Policies vary. See your issued policy for applicable terms, limits, conditions, and exclusions.

Common Risks at Shows

Common risks at craft shows include:

• Slip-and-fall injuries: a shopper trips over display equipment or slips on a spill at your booth
• Property damage: booth equipment damages venue flooring or a neighboring vendor's display
• Damage to the space you rent: a fixture marks a wall, door frame, or floor in the venue
• Theft of your own inventory: products or equipment go missing during setup or teardown. Your own goods and equipment are not covered property under an event liability policy
• Temporary structures: a canopy, frame, or display stand is damaged. Temporary structures such as tents and stages are not covered as property

Financial Protection Benefits

Beyond satisfying venue requirements, liability coverage does two things for a small vendor business:

• Third-party claims: general liability responds to third-party bodily injury and third-party property damage, subject to the terms of your issued policy
• Business continuity: a single third-party claim is exactly the exposure liability coverage exists for

Types of Coverage for Vendors

General Liability (Core Coverage)

This foundational protection addresses bodily injury and property damage claims stemming from booth operations.

What it can help cover:

• Customer injuries at your booth
• Accidental damage to the venue or another vendor's property
• Damage to the premises you rent, at an included $100,000 limit

Base liability limits: $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate. Policies vary. See your issued policy for applicable terms, limits, conditions, and exclusions.

What's excluded: medical payments, so there is no guest medical or med-pay coverage; injuries to participants, performers, and contestants; temporary structures such as tents and stages; fireworks and pyrotechnics; bounce houses and inflatables; and virtual, hybrid, or livestreamed activity. These are common examples, not a complete list.

Products and Completed Operations Aggregate

Every policy carries a Products / Completed Operations Aggregate limit of $1,000,000. That is a limit stated on the policy, and it is listed here so you can see it alongside the other limits. It is not sold or marketed as protection for the goods you make. Policies vary. See your issued policy for applicable terms, limits, conditions, and exclusions.

Food service and food-borne illness are not a coverage area on a Gigsure event policy. If your business needs cover for the goods themselves, that would come from a separate insurer on a separate policy.

Property/Inland Marine Coverage (separate provider required)

A Gigsure event policy is liability coverage. It does not cover your own property, so inland marine or commercial property cover would need to come from a separate insurer on a separate policy.

Property a Gigsure event policy does not cover:

• Inventory and finished products
• Tools and crafting equipment
• Display materials and booth setup
• Tents, canopies, and other temporary structures
• Property in transit to and from events

Worth repeating: temporary structures such as tents, canopies, and stages are not covered as property, whether you own them or the show supplies them.

Damage to Rented Premises

Damage to Premises Rented To You is included on every policy at $100,000, at no extra charge. It is the coverage a venue has in mind when it asks who pays if you damage the space you rented. Policies vary. See your issued policy for applicable terms, limits, conditions, and exclusions.

Optional Add-On Coverages

Depending on business activities, vendors might require:

• Higher liability limits: a $2 Million Per Occurrence limit, and $3 Million, $4 Million, and $5 Million Aggregate Limits. Priced based on the coverage selected and subject to minimum charges, with the amount shown at checkout
• Host Liquor Liability: for eligible events where alcohol is served but not sold, available for an additional charge
• Full Liquor Liability: where alcohol is sold, for eligible event types, available for an additional charge
• Waiver of Subrogation: prevents the insurer's recovery actions against your venue when required, available for an additional charge
• Primary and Non-Contributory: the policy is not primary by default, so add this endorsement when your venue requires primary status, available for an additional charge
• Professional liability: for conducting workshops or offering crafting instruction (separate policy from another insurer)
• Cyber liability: for online sales and collecting customer payment data (separate policy from another insurer)
• Workers' compensation: for businesses with employees (separate policy from another insurer)
• Commercial auto: for using dedicated business vehicles for events (separate policy from another insurer)

How Much Does Coverage Cost?

Event-Based Policy Pricing

Pricing varies by event details. The base premium for Craft Show (Indoors) is calculated using: number of guests x number of event days x rate per guest, subject to a minimum premium. Attendance and event length determine eligibility for this event type:

• Standard band: up to 2,500 daily attendees
• Extended band: 2,501 to 5,000 daily attendees
• Event length: up to 3 event days
• Above 5,000 daily attendees: not eligible for this event type

Optional coverages can be added for an additional charge: Waiver of Subrogation, Primary & Non-Contributory Endorsement, Host Liquor Liability, and Full Liquor Liability.

Higher liability limits are available, including a $2 Million Per Occurrence limit and $3 Million, $4 Million, and $5 Million Aggregate Limits. Priced based on the coverage selected and subject to minimum charges.

Taxes and fees. Additional charges may apply, including a transaction fee, an underwriting fee, a Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) charge, if applicable, and state taxes and surplus lines stamping fees where required. All applicable charges will be displayed before you complete your purchase.

Every policy includes base liability limits of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate, plus Damage to Premises Rented To You of $100,000.

Factors That Affect Cost

Several elements influence premium calculations:

• Guest count: Premiums are based in part on your expected attendance
• Event days: Multi-day shows are rated on the number of covered days
• Coverage limits: Higher limits increase premium amounts
• Optional add-ons: Endorsements and liquor liability options add flat charges shown at checkout

Additional Coverage Costs

Optional add-ons increase total premiums. When evaluating policies, incorporate these supplementary costs to understand complete investment in protection.

Event Coverage vs. Annual Policies

We offer per-event policies only - one event, one policy. If you host or vend at many events each year, an annual commercial policy from another insurer may be more economical; compare total costs for your schedule.

How to Get Covered

Our online application takes about five minutes from start to certificate:

1. Select your event type: choose "Craft Show (Indoors)".
2. Enter your guest count and number of event days.
3. Tell us who is purchasing the coverage.
4. Enter your venue's address and location type.
5. Pick your coverage dates. The earliest coverage can begin is the day after purchase.
6. Answer a few eligibility questions about venue activities, musical performances, vendors or temporary structures, and prior claims.
7. Choose your add-ons: host liquor liability or full liquor liability for eligible events, Waiver of Subrogation, and Primary and Non-Contributory.
8. Review your quote and pay by card. You can also increase your per-occurrence and aggregate liability limits above the base $1M/$2M here. Additional Insureds, such as your venue, can be added for free.
9. Receive your documents: your Certificate of Insurance arrives within minutes, and coverage begins on the dates you selected.

Understanding Policy Requirements

What Event Organizers Typically Require

Craft shows and markets commonly ask for:

• Minimum coverage limits: $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate, which is what a Gigsure policy issues as its base limits. Policies vary. See your issued policy for applicable terms, limits, conditions, and exclusions.
• Certificate submission timing: often required in advance of the event date
• Additional insured status: the venue, or the owner, manager, or lessor of the premises. A Gigsure policy can name venues and municipalities issuing event permits. Caterers, vendors, and sponsors are not eligible for additional insured status.
• Specific endorsements: some shows ask for Waiver of Subrogation or Primary and Non-Contributory, which are separate add-ons available for an additional charge

Reviewing event contracts thoroughly is advisable. Policies vary. See your issued policy for applicable terms, limits, conditions, and exclusions. Some shows may ask for higher limits, which you can select at checkout.

Reading Your Policy Documents

Understanding essential insurance terminology clarifies exactly what coverage provides:

• Occurrence: Each individual incident or claim
• Aggregate: The maximum amount the policy pays during the policy period
• Deductible: The amount policyholders pay before coverage applies. Your quote and issued policy show whether any deductible applies
• Coverage territory: Geographic areas where the policy provides protection
• Policy period: The precise dates coverage is active

Review the policy's exclusions section carefully. It identifies what is not covered: medical payments, injuries to participants and performers, temporary structures, and fireworks. That is a summary, not a complete list.

State-Specific Considerations

A Gigsure policy covers one event, so a vendor working several shows buys one policy per show. Policies are available in select states, and availability for your event location is confirmed during checkout.

Check your venue's own certificate requirements before you buy. Those terms are set by the venue or show organizer and appear in your event contract, not in the policy.

Common Policy Exclusions

These are common examples, not a complete list - see your policy for the full set of exclusions, terms, and conditions.

All policies contain limitations. Understanding what is not covered prevents surprises later:

• Medical payments: Coverage C is excluded. There is no guest medical or med-pay benefit
• Participants and performers: injuries to participants, performers, and contestants are not covered
• Temporary structures: tents, canopies, and stages are not covered as property
• Fireworks: fireworks, pyrotechnics, and sparklers are not covered
• Bounce houses and inflatables: excluded
• Water activities: not eligible, and never priced or covered
• Virtual and hybrid activity: virtual, hybrid, and livestreamed activity is not covered
• Event cancellation: there is no event cancellation product
• Food service: food service and food-borne illness are not a coverage area
• Primacy: the policy is not primary by default. Primary and Non-Contributory is a paid add-on

The eligibility questions during checkout confirm whether your event qualifies.

Special Considerations by Craft Type

Handmade Beauty and Cosmetics

Beauty products carry their own risks, including allergic reactions and skin sensitivity. A Gigsure event policy is event liability coverage and is not sold as protection for the goods themselves, so makers of the following should look to a separate insurer for anything relating to their products:

• Cosmetics and skincare products
• Bath and body items
• Products applied to the skin

For the show itself, select Craft Show (Indoors) at checkout and answer the eligibility questions to confirm your event qualifies.

Food and Edible Products

Food service and food-borne illness are not a coverage area on a Gigsure event policy. If your booth sells edible goods, plan on health department compliance and a separate insurer for anything relating to the food itself.

Considerations for vendors selling edible goods:

• Satisfy all health department licensing requirements
• Maintain proper food safety and storage protocols
• Consider shelf-life and expiration date management
• Answer the eligibility questions at checkout to confirm your event qualifies

Children's Products

Items manufactured for children face enhanced scrutiny and elevated liability exposure. Toys, clothing, and accessories for kids necessitate:

• Compliance with consumer safety regulations
• Cover for the goods themselves from a separate insurer, if you need it
• Clear age-appropriate labeling
• Safety testing for specific product types

Verify your event's eligibility when requesting your quote.

Curated/Resale Sellers

Vendors selling a mix of handmade and purchased items (curated goods) may face different requirements from the show itself. Check your event contract, since those terms are set by the organizer.

Whether you sell handmade, vintage, or collectible goods, the event type to select at checkout is Craft Show (Indoors).

Tips for Choosing the Right Coverage

Make informed decisions about protection by following these guidelines:

• Assess your actual risk exposure: Consider products sold, vending locations, and event participation frequency
• Calculate your break-even point: Compare event policy costs to annual coverage based on vending frequency
• Review venue requirements first: Examine event contracts before purchasing to ensure compliance with all specifications
• Know what is not covered property: your own goods, tools, display equipment, and temporary structures such as tents and canopies are not covered
• Free additional insureds: naming your venue as an additional insured on your certificate costs nothing
• Check for instant certificate availability: Online access to COIs eliminates time pressure and stress
• Buy per event: a policy covers one event, so a vendor working several shows buys one policy per show
• Understand exclusions: Read policy details carefully to know what's NOT covered
• Review total costs: Understand all potential fees - including add-ons and optional coverage - before purchasing

Getting Started with Gigsure

Gigsure arranges instant event liability coverage for craft vendors and event organizers. Pricing varies by event details, and your exact price is shown before you pay. Coverage is underwritten by an insurance carrier rated A++ (Superior) by AM Best, and vendors can obtain coverage in minutes rather than days.

Here's what makes our coverage ideal for craft show vendors:

• Instant quotes and certificates: Apply online and receive proof of insurance immediately
• A++ rated carrier: Coverage is underwritten by an insurance carrier rated A++ (Superior) by AM Best.
• Transparent pricing: add-ons, taxes, and fees are all shown at checkout before you pay
• Standard coverage limits: base liability limits ($1 million per occurrence / $2 million aggregate) satisfy most event requirements, with Damage to Premises Rented To You of $100,000 included
• Free additional insureds: add your venue, or a municipality issuing your event permit, at no additional cost
• Host liquor liability add-on: optional paid coverage, available for an additional charge, for eligible events where alcohol is served but not sold

Whether you're preparing for your first craft show or you're an experienced vendor seeking superior coverage, check your rate and obtain the protection necessary to focus on what you do best - creating and selling your distinctive handmade products.

Coverage is subject to the terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions of the issued policy.