Do you have vendor insurance questions? Look no further, we have you covered.
Insurance can be complicated, but Insurance Canopy is here to make it simple with this comprehensive list of answers to the most common questions and concerns you might face when choosing your policy.
We’re here to help you navigate the world of insurance so you can get the protection you and your business deserve.
Still can’t find the answers you need? Don’t sweat it. Get in touch with us and a licensed, non-commissioned agent will be happy to help you.
The Basics of Vendor Insurance for Events
What Is Vendor Insurance, and Do I Need It?
Vendor insurance is general liability coverage for vendors who participate in festivals, expos, markets, or other events. It helps protect you from expensive claims that could arise while you work. It covers third-party bodily injury and property damage claims associated with your business.
Accidents happen, even at a well-run booth. Vendor insurance steps in when they do — covering costs like these so they don’t come out of your pocket:
- Someone is injured, tripping over an extension cord in your booth, and hitting their head on the way down.
- Property is damaged, when your display easel tipped and scraped a long gouge into a convention center’s polished floor.
- Your equipment is stolen, while being stored overnight during a multi-day convention.
In these cases, you could be held financially responsible for any bills or fees that result. Vendor insurance can help mitigate or eliminate your out-of-pocket costs in these circumstances.
Why Do Vendors Need Insurance for Events?
Vendors need insurance for events to protect their business from paying out of pocket for costly claims that could be detrimental. Working at an event means interacting with hundreds or even thousands of people, increasing the risk of accidents. Insurance gives you a safety net so you can focus on running your booth or stall instead of worrying about what could go wrong.
Additionally, most event coordinators require you to have general liability insurance to participate in shows. This mitigates the financial risk for the venue, the hosts, and you. An Insurance Canopy policy is designed to help you meet common insurance requirements, so you’re covered for every event.
What Is the Difference Between Short-Term and Annual Vendor Insurance?
The difference between short-term and annual vendor insurance is the depth and duration of coverage. Short-term policies (aka one-day vendor insurance) offer only general liability protection while annual policies include more coverage options, providing year-round protection for unlimited events.
Here’s how they compare with Insurance Canopy:
|
Short-Term (One-Day) |
Annual | |
|---|---|---|
|
Coverage length |
A single event, lasting anywhere from 1 to 90 days |
365 days of unlimited event coverage |
|
What’s covered |
General liability for third-party injuries and property damage |
Everything short-term covers, plus product liability, personal and advertising injury, and online sales coverage |
|
Optional add-ons |
Short-term theft and damage coverage for your gear |
Cyber liability, professional liability, and tools and equipment coverage |
|
Best for |
Businesses that attend fewer than five events a year |
Businesses that operate outside of shows or year-round |
What is a Certificate of Insurance for Vendors?
A Certificate of Insurance for vendors, or COI, is a document that provides proof of insurance, and lists the coverage and limits of your insurance policy. You can either print out this document to have a physical copy on hand or download it to share digitally when requested.
You can access your COI anytime after purchasing your vendor insurance policy via your online dashboard.
What Does Vendor Insurance Cover?
A basic vendor insurance policy covers third-party injury and property damage claims. This can include expenses like medical bills, legal fees, and repair costs. Add inland marine coverage and your gear’s covered too — if your equipment or inventory is damaged or stolen, it can help pay to repair or replace it.
If you opt for an annual policy, your coverage extends to your products and operations as well. You can add options that extend coverage to other critical business areas, including:
- Theft and Damage Coverage (Inland Marine): helps replace or repair your business-essential gear if it’s damaged or stolen
- Cyber Liability: protects you from the cost of cybercrime, including ransomware and data breaches
- Professional Liability: safeguards you from liability claims associated with your professional services
- Excess Liability: increases your policy limits to cover higher dollar amounts
What Is Not Covered in Vendor Liability Insurance?
Vendor insurance does not cover claims related to your employees, you, or your products. It also doesn’t cover your gear or equipment, unless you add theft and damage coverage.
The policy only covers third-party claims, which typically means injuries and damages to customers and venues.
How Much Does Vendor Insurance Cost?
Vendor insurance starts at $49 per event through Insurance Canopy. You can also add theft and damage coverage for $54 per event.
If you opt for an annual policy, pricing starts at $18.50* per month, depending on the type of policy you choose. Annual policies also include the option to add coverage, like cyber liability or professional liability, which may increase the final cost.
* This represents the lowest pricing available across all Insurance Canopy vendor policies. Your pricing may vary based on your coverage needs.
Vendor Insurance Requirements
Is Vendor Insurance Required by Law?
Some states may require vendors to have insurance while others do not — it’s important to research your local insurance requirements for both your specific city and state.
Even if you don’t legally need to carry vendor insurance for events, many venues and event runners require you to show proof of insurance and add them as additional insureds before you can use their event space.
Why Is the Event Venue Asking to Be Added to My Policy?
It’s common for event venues to require you to add them as an Additional Insured (AI) on your policy. This extends your coverage to the venue if a claim arises because of your business. Adding them as an AI mitigates their potential risk and out-of-pocket expenses.
For example, if you’re a food vendor and a customer was burned by hot grease that splashed from a fryer during a busy rush, they could pursue compensation from you and the venue. If you’ve added the venue as an AI, your insurance could cover both of you.
Can I Get Vendor Insurance Immediately Before an Event?
Yes! You can purchase a vendor insurance policy through Insurance Canopy in minutes and get same-day coverage, even if you sign up on the way to the venue.
As long as you buy your policy before you open for business and before a claim arises, you’re covered.
💡 Insurance Term To Learn: Additional Insured
What it is: An additional insured is an organization or person that you’ve named on your policy who will be covered for your negligence. Adding an additional insured does not cover their liability if they are negligent, only your liability.
Costs involved: Adding additional insureds is free on many of our policies. Some coverages do charge a fee to add them, so check your policy details or reach out if you’re not sure what applies to yours.
How to add one: You can add your event venue or organizer as an additional insured for your vendor insurance policy either at the time of purchase or any time afterward via the Insurance Canopy online dashboard.
Why Choose Insurance Canopy for Vendor Insurance?
Insurance Canopy is ideal for vendor insurance because we offer affordable coverage, free instant quotes, and an easy purchasing process so you can get covered and get to work without worrying. We know shopping for vendor insurance can be intimidating, but we’re here to make it as painless as possible.
Common Details About Vendor Event Insurance
What is 1-Day Vendor Insurance?
One-day vendor insurance is short-term general liability coverage for a single event. You can purchase these policies when you only need insurance for a limited time, like for a weekend convention or expo. This is a great option if you only attend a few events each year.
Who Needs Festival Vendor Insurance?
Any vendor who sells their goods at events needs to carry vendor general liability insurance. This includes artists, entertainers, crafters, and many more.
Insurance Canopy offers coverage for a variety of events, including:
How Do I File a Claim If Something Goes Wrong at an Event?
To submit a claim, you just need to follow these four easy steps:
- Log in to your online user account
- Find the “Manage Policies” section
- Click on “File a Claim” and fill out your info
- Submit your claim
A claims adjuster will contact you within 24-48 hours to discuss your claim and answer any questions you may have. Need more help? Here’s more info about how to file a claim.
How Can I Add an Additional Insured to My Vendor Event Insurance COI?
You can add additional insureds to your policy at the time of purchase or at any time during your coverage period.
To add an additional insured to your existing policy, just follow these steps:
- Log in to your online account
- Locate the “Manage Policies” section
- Click “Add additional insureds” to add one AI, or click “Add unlimited additional insureds” to add multiple (a small fee may apply)
- Please provide the information required for the AI
- A copy of your policy will be automatically emailed to the added AI
What if My Event Is Canceled?
Insurance Canopy offers optional vendor refund protection for certain qualifying cancellation events. If your reason for cancellation is covered, then you can receive up to 100% of your registration fees back.
Do I Need a Separate Vendor Insurance Policy for Every Event I Attend?
Yes, vendor insurance is often purchased on a per-event basis, in which case you will need a new policy for each event. However, if you attend more than 5 events in a year, it’s cost-effective to purchase an annual vendor policy.
An annual policy covers you year round for unlimited events, and offers additional protections like product liability insurance and coverage for online sellers.
Jeremy Sheehy | Program Manager
Jeremy Sheehy is a Program Manager for Insurance Canopy. His experience spans claims and commercial underwriting, and he holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Arlington along with the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation. Jeremy believes the best insurance solutions are specialized and transparent, built through adaptability, attention to detail, and a team-first approach. He relishes helping small business owners find coverage that's both affordable and tailored to their individual needs.
Jeremy Sheehy is a Program Manager for Insurance Canopy. His experience spans claims and commercial underwriting, and he holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Arlington along with the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation. Jeremy believes the best insurance solutions are specialized and transparent, built through adaptability, attention to detail, and a team-first approach. He relishes helping small business owners find coverage that's both affordable and tailored to their individual needs.
