ACT Insurance Exclusions

ACT strives to protect artists, crafters, and makers across the creative industry. Our policies do have limits on what they can insure that we want you to be aware of. This page lists the coverage exclusions for ACT Pro, ACT Pro for Handmade Beauty Businesses, and ACT Go. 

Learn exactly what you are and aren’t covered for so you can feel confident about your business’s protection.

What Is a Policy Exclusion?

An exclusion is a specific type of business, product, or activity that a policy will not cover. Insurance companies often exclude certain things because the risk is too specialized or better suited to another policy. Understanding your liability insurance exclusions is key to avoiding surprises if you need to make a claim.

ACT Pro Policy Exclusions

ACT Pro offers annual general and product liability coverage for independent artist and crafter businesses. The following businesses and product types are excluded from this policy.

  • Beauty or bodywork services provided by an insured for a fee → (Beauty & Bodywork Insurance) 
  • Topical products such as cosmetics, lotions, or soaps
    • Exception: Can be covered when purchased under the ACT Pro for Handmade Beauty Businesses policy
  • Salon or spa operations → (Beauty & Bodywork Insurance) 
  • Tattoo artists
  • Medical equipment and devices → (Insurance Canopy) 
  • Medical invasive products intended to stay in the body
  • Products designed for infants, toddlers, or children
  • Children’s furniture
  • Children’s toys
  • Sporting good and equipment
  • Weapons, knives, or ammunition
  • Candles, including liquid fuel gel or wax melts
    • Exception: Some candles can be covered when purchased under the ACT Pro for Handmade Beauty Businesses policy
  • Retail storefronts (premises may be owned or leased mainly for working, not retail sales)
  • Saddles, harnesses, or horse furnishings
  • Artisan contractors
  • Commercial painters
  • Construction operations
  • Architecture or design professionals
  • CBD-related events → (Insurance Canopy)

ACT Pro for Curated Sellers

The ACT Pro for Curated Sellers policy extends ACT Pro coverage to sellers who use and sell more than 20% pre-made products or materials. The same exclusions listed above apply — the policy changes who qualifies, not what’s covered.

Exclusions for the ACT Pro Policy for Handmade Beauty Businesses

ACT Pro for Handmade Beauty Businesses offers annual general and product liability coverage for independent creative businesses that make and sell handmade beauty products (e.g., soaps, cosmetics) and candles. The following businesses and product types are excluded from this policy.

  • Any and all hair relaxers and/or hair straightener products
  • Acetone used in any hair relaxer or hair straightener product, sales to a wholesaler or distributor, or acetone products that contain parabens or phthalates
  • Products containing any of the following chemicals or ingredients:
    • Cyclosiloxanes
    • Parabens
    • Diethanolamine (DEA)
    • Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)
    • Guanidine carbonate
    • Ammonium thioglycolate
    • Toluene
    • Dibutyl phthalates
    • Phthalates/phthalate esters
  • All products containing talc
  • Cosmetic products containing talc, including eyeshadow, foundation, and toners
  • Hygienic products containing talc, including baby powder, body powder, and similar powder products
  • Ingestible vitamins or supplements
  • Dietary supplements — any product taken by mouth containing a “dietary ingredient” intended to supplement the diet
    • Including, but not limited to, products promoted for energy, sexual performance, weight loss or gain, body fat reduction, or body composition change
    • “Dietary ingredients” include vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, or any concentrate, metabolite, constituent, or extract thereof
  • Products that are ingestible and contain cannabidiol (CBD) or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
  • Ethical pharmaceuticals — any drug, vaccine, or medicine that cannot be distributed to the general public by any means other than through the prescription of or usage by a licensed physician or medical doctor duly accredited by a recognized medical professional, such as the American Medical Association, including, but not limited to:
    • Any drug, vaccine, or medicine defined above that was ever banned from use by United States regulations, and any illegal drug, vaccine, or medicine
  • Products or equipment implanted on or within the human body
  • Invasive body inks, dyes, or permanent cosmetics
  • Products developed with or containing human stem cells or human stem cell media
  • Any product that does not meet FDA “GRAS” (Generally Regarded as Safe) guidelines
  • Recalled products, including any product classified by the FDA as a Class I Health Hazard, meaning a situation where use or exposure may cause serious adverse health consequences or death (per Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21, Chapter 1, as amended)
  • Formaldehyde, formaldehyde products, or formaldehyde-containing materials
  • Hand sanitizer not in compliance with FDA requirements for over-the-counter topical antiseptic or antimicrobial products effective on or after the date of manufacture
  • Products containing alcohol, except for FDA-compliant hand sanitizer
  • Household cleaning products that are not 100% organic or natural
  • Products that are not ingestible but contain greater than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
  • Nail curing lights
  • Plug-in electrical products
  • Inversion tables
  • Candles containing liquid fuel gel  
  • Furniture
  • Salon or spa operations
  • Testing or demonstration of products done on employees
  • Toys, except when sold in conjunction with an eligible beauty product

ACT Go Policy Exclusions

ACT Go offers short-term general liability insurance for artists, crafters, and creative business vendors, particularly those who attend events. The following businesses and product types are excluded from this policy.

  • Concerts
  • Sporting events
  • Martial arts events
  • Birthday parties
  • Political rallies, demonstrations, or events
  • Christmas tree lots
  • Pumpkin patches
  • Tattoo conventions or shows
  • Vehicles or transportation industry events or shows
  • Directing, hosting, organizing, planning, promoting, or sponsoring a fair, festival, show, or similar event
  • CBD-related events → (Insurance Canopy)
  • Narcotic-related events
  • Any activity involving live animals
  • Any activity involving motorized equipment or vehicles
  • Sales or distribution of narcotics
  • Weapon, knife, or ammunition exposures
  • Three-dimensional installation artwork
  • Murals

Not sure if your business qualifies?

If you’re on the fence — or if your business type isn’t on this list — explore your coverage options. Our team can help you find the right fit, whether that’s an ACT policy or a trusted partner.