This information is located in our software for artists. Some references within the text will be software related.
There are three types of insurance that artists should have: health, liability and property. The first is your health insurance. It used to be difficult to get individual health insurance, but now there are many companies that provide individual benefits, and the cost is often cheaper than what a small business would pay. Consider getting multiple insurance policies—such as renter’s, studio and car insurance—with one broker in order to obtain a discount.
There are a number of organizations that also provide access to health insurance. Check out the Healthcare for Artists section for more information.
Liability insurance is a necessity if you have a studio. If visitors to your studio are injured on site, they can sue you for medical and other damages. Check with your insurance company to find out about the coverage you need. Call your local nonprofit art organization to see if there is a local arts insurer in your area.
It is also advisable to get property insurance to cover your artwork during transport and when in an exhibition. The host venue should cover the work but do not assume that they have insurance. The shipper usually covers the work in transit. There are many different types of property insurance, some cover work from wall to wall, others just cover shipping. Be clear about what you are purchasing and read the contracts thoroughly.
The following resources are provided for information only, and are not meant as endorsements.
Property and Liability Insurance
American Craft Council offers a property/casualty insurance program, merchant credit card program, long-distance telephone rates, package delivery, vehicle rental, magazine subscriptions and educational resources.
American Craft Council
72 Spring St.
New York, NY 10012
212.274.0630
council@craftcouncil.org
www.craftcouncil.org
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. of NJ insures original artwork for loss and damage in the home, studio, exhibit and in transit.
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. of NJ
1501 Hamburg Turnpike
Wayne, NJ 07470
973.696.4600 or 973.686.2309
Artist Trust has a list of northwestern insurance companies that provide Commercial General Liability coverage and/or Special Event coverage.
Artist Trust
1835 12th Ave
Seattle, WA 98122
206.467.8734
866.218.7878
info@artisttrust.org
Arts & Entertainment Insurance offers a variety of insurance packages for film and video production, commercial photography, audio production/music and more. They also offer a variety of benefits for stylists, performance and visual artists, advertising firms and computer graphic companies.
Arts & Entertainment Insurance
PO Box 1048
Marblehead, MA 01945
800.676.9374
info@aeinsurance.com
www.aeinsurance.com
The Center for Creative Innovation has information on insurance for artists. Located in Los Angeles, they provide many other support services as well. They can be found online at www.cci2000.org.
The Crafts Report, a monthly business magazine for the crafts professional, provides crafts resources on its web site, including a fire/liability/health insurance resource guide.
www.craftsreport.com
Craftsman Protection Plan offers property insurance for home, studio, work-in-progress, raw materials, tools, work-on-exhibit and work in transit.
Association and Society Insurance
Craftsman Protection Plan
PO Box 2510
Rockville MD 20852
301.816.0045 or 800.638.2610 ext. 103
custsvc@asicorporation.com
www.asicorporation.com
The CSI Group is an entertainment insurance broker providing insurance consulting/coverage for the entertainment industry. Programs are available for: concert promoters, touring artists, theaters, event production, exhibitors, film production, booking agencies, etc.
CSI Insurance Management
2920 Taylor St.
Dallas, TX 75226
800.204.1523
www.csicoverage.com
Flather & Perkins has two basic policies for artists, a $500 general liability plan that covers slip-and-falls (medical payments), product liability, loss of equipment other than computers (computers are a separate area of coverage), business vehicle accidents and fires, and a $1,500 fine arts package that covers the value of the artwork itself when there is damage, theft, or destruction in and out of one’s studio. Part of that plan covers works-in-progress, paying the artist labor and materials costs if the piece was less than half completed when damaged or destroyed and the full selling price if the object was more than half finished.
Flather & Perkins, Inc.
888 17th St. NW
Washington, DC 20006
800.422.8889
info@flatherperkins.net
www.flatherperkins.net
Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. provides small and home-based business insurance.
The Hartford
Hartford Plaza, 690 Asylum Ave.
Hartford, CT 06115
860.547.5000
www.thehartford.com
Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of Washington offers a full range of products for home, rent and business.
Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of Washington
15015 Main St., Suite 205
Bellevue, WA 98007
425.649.0102
info@wainsurance.org
www.wainsurance.org
Insurance Information Institute aims to improve public understanding of insurance.
Insurance Information Institute
110 William St.
New York, NY 10038
212.346.5500
www.iii.org
Insurevents.Com insures most areas of the entertainment, sports, leisure and special events industry. They provide policies that are needed for events including general liability, adverse weather, event cancellation, property, prize, auto, workers' compensation, accident, and medical coverage.
Insurevents.Com
6033 W Century Blvd., 4th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90045
800.279.6540
support@insurevents.com
www.insurevents.com
Jewelers Mutual Insurance Co. provides property and liability coverage for businesses, a jeweler’s block policy for inventory, or insurance for personal jewelry.
Jewelers Mutual Insurance Co.
24 Jewelers Park Dr.
Neenah, WI 54956
800.558.6411
communications@jminsure.com
www.jewelersmutual.com
John Buttine Insurance provides coverage strictly on a per-show basis, costing $175 for up to $2 million in general liability protection and $300 for $50,000 in property coverage.
John Buttine Insurance
125 Park Ave., 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10017
800.964.4454
www.buttine.com
MusicPro Insurance Agency provides insurance for the music professional. Coverage for instrument and equipment, studio, tour or composer liability, travel accidents and business.
MusicPro Insurance
45 Crossways Park Dr.
Woodbury, NY 11797
800.605.3187
Insurance@MusicProInsurance.com
www.musicproinsurance.com
Near North National Group established Fine Arts Risk Management, Inc. to provide property insurance of fine art and collections for museums, galleries, dealers and private and public collections.
NNNG Fine Arts Risk Management
875 N Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
800.859.6719
nnng_info@nnng.com
www.nnng.com
Safeco offers a variety of business products and coverage. Your agent will talk through your needs and recommend a combination of coverage from Safeco's menu of products, including: business property and income, business liability, commercial auto, worker's compensation, crime & burglary, and umbrella coverage.
Safeco
4333 Brooklyn Ave. NE
Seattle, WA 98185
206.545.5000
www.safeco.com
Small Business Service Bureau (SBSB) is a national small business organization whose members are self-employed, have home-based businesses, etc. SBSB offers business overhead insurance for home-based businesses.
Small Business Service Bureau
554 Main St., PO Box 15014 Worcester, MA 01615
800.343.0939
membership@sbsb.com
www.sbsb.com
Thomas & Pratt Insurance has insurance policies for artists.
Thomson & Pratt Insurance Associates, Inc.
1223 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 590
Santa Monica, CA 90403
877.334.6327
www.fineartguy.com
USAA: provides products and services to help military members and their families reach their financial goals. They offer services for banking, investing, insurance, financial guidance, shopping and discounts.
