The Insurance Basics Every Creative Should Know
What Creative Businesses Actually Need to Know About Insurance
Let’s talk about something that most creatives tend to avoid.
Insurance.
Not exactly the most exciting part of running a business—but after a recent conversation with my insurance agent, Katy Fenbert with State Farm, I realized it’s something many of us don’t fully understand… and may not be properly covered for.
So instead of diving into complicated policies and industry language, I wanted to break this down into a simple, practical overview—specifically for creative businesses.
You May Have More Risk Than You Think
You don’t need a storefront or a team of employees to have exposure.
If you:
Sell at markets or shows
Ship products
Invite people into your studio or home
Bring inventory to events
You have some level of risk.
This isn’t meant to alarm you—it’s simply the reality of running a business, even on a small scale.
The One Policy Most Shows Require
If you’ve ever applied to a show or pop-up, you’ve likely seen a request for a Certificate of Insurance (COI).
This typically means you need:
General Liability Insurance
Most events require:
$1 million per occurrence
$2 million aggregate
This coverage protects you if:
Someone is injured at your booth
Property is damaged due to your setup or operations
The COI is simply proof that you have this coverage—and often the event or venue will ask to be listed as an “Additional Insured.”
For many creatives, this isn’t optional. It’s what allows you to participate.
What Happens If Something Goes Wrong?
Let’s make this real.
You’re at a show. Someone trips at your booth and gets injured.
In that moment, it’s no longer about your products or your sales—it becomes a legal and financial situation.
General Liability Insurance exists for exactly this reason. Not because you expect something to go wrong, but because sometimes it does.
Working From Home? You May Have Gaps
This is one of the most common misunderstandings.
Most homeowner’s insurance policies:
Limit coverage for business-related items
Do not fully cover inventory
Offer limited liability protection for business activity
If you run your business from home, it’s worth exploring:
A business endorsement
Or a separate business policy
What About Your Inventory and Supplies?
Your work has value—often more than we stop to calculate.
Think about:
Inventory
Supplies
Tools and equipment
Displays and materials
Two types of coverage come into play here:
Business Personal Property
Covers items in your workspace (studio, home, or store)
Inland Marine Coverage
Despite the name, this has nothing to do with water—it simply covers your inventory while it’s off-premises, such as:
At shows
In transit
At pop-ups or installations
If you regularly travel with your work, this is important.
What’s Required vs. What’s Recommended
Here’s a simple breakdown:
Often Required
General Liability Insurance
Certificate of Insurance (COI)
Sometimes Required
Professional Liability (especially for teaching or consulting)
Workers Compensation (required in Georgia with 3+ employees)
Recommended
Business Personal Property
Inland Marine Coverage
Commercial Umbrella Policy
Final Thoughts
Insurance isn’t about expecting the worst.
It’s about protecting what you’ve built so you can keep going if something unexpected happens.
As creatives, we spend so much time thinking about what we’re making and how we’re growing—but this is one of those foundational pieces that allows everything else to continue.
If nothing else, consider this a starting point to ask questions, review your current coverage, and make sure you’re protected in the ways that matter most.
