Craft fairs are a great way to get your handmade products in front of the general public, but as you may know, attending crafts fairs as a seller can come with its own set of risks.
At CraftCover, we provide comprehensive craft fair insurance options that are bespoke to your business.
What insurance do you need to sell handmade items?
When you are selling handmade items, it’s important that you’re aware of the legalities around the types of insurance you’re required to have.
Generally speaking, you should have at least the basic minimum levels of insurance, which include:
- Public Liability Insurance – This covers the cost of claims made by members of the public for incidents that arise due to your business activities. This includes injury, death or disablement to members of the public and loss or damage to third party property.
- Product Liability Insurance – This covers the handmade items you make, supply and sell. This type of insurance protects you against the costs of compensation for personal injuries, loss or damage to a property caused by faulty products.
Do you need insurance to do a craft fair?
If you’re looking to attend craft fairs in the UK, you should be aware of the fact that most organisers will need to see proof of insurance before they allow you to sell your handmade items.
If you wish to regularly attend craft fairs and have your own stall, you will also need stall insurance. This will protect you and stall against any incidents, and you can enjoy the event knowing your craft business is thoroughly protected.
Do I need a licence to sell at a craft fair?
If you are attending a craft fair, it is likely that the fair organiser will have already obtained a licence for the whole of the event itself. It is always best to contact the organisers if you’re unsure whether you’ll need a licence or not.
However, if you are trading at markets for example, you may require a street trading licence. You should contact your local council to understand what requirements there might be.
What does craft insurance for craft fairs cover?
Our craft fair insurance policies include both public and product liability alongside craft fair insurance into one comprehensive package.
We provide policies that cover you while you are at the craft fairs and whilst you’re at home or your workshop, as well as when you are travelling to and from the show.
Our packages will not limit the number of craft fairs you can attend per year, and we can even provide cover for your craft shows across the EU.
Can I insure my actual products at craft fairs?
Yes, our craft fair insurance packages ensure that your actual products are fully insured from creation, to transportation to selling at the craft fair.
This means that if an incident was to occur that would damage or affect your product, you’ll be covered.
How much does craft fair insurance cost?
The cost of your craft fair insurance policies can depend on a few different factors. These could include:
- The type of product you make and sell
- Your business size and location
- Where you plan on selling your products
- Your excess costs
We will talk to you about your specific craft fair insurance requirements to ensure that you can have the most suitable policy in place that meets your budget.
Why do I need insurance to sell at craft fairs?
Craft fair insurance will cover you against any liability or claims made by members of the public in connection with your stall or the products you sell.
Accidents can happen, especially when dealing with members of the public, and should someone be injured or their property damaged due to your craft stall, your business could be held liable for compensation.
No matter what size your business is, being held liable for an accident could cause extreme financial strain.
What types of craft stalls are covered by craft fair insurance?
At CraftCover, our craft fair insurance covers a variety of different crafts, including:
- Bath and shower products
- Cake making
- Candle and wax melt making
- Ceramics and pottery
- Flower crafts
- Jewellery making
- Mixed media
- Paintings
- Woodwork and furniture
…and many more!
If you’d like to start selling your crafts at craft fairs, but you’re not sure where to start, head over to our dedicated guide on preparing for craft fairs, or alternatively, get in touch with the team to discuss your craft fair requirements.