Choosing the right insurance is like choosing the ideal sealant for a finished piece: it adds protection, but only the right formula truly works. We compared five top event insurance providers for craft vendors by cost, coverage, and ease of use so you can find the best fit, protect your booth, and focus on sharing your creations.
Did someone say COI?
Many venues require a Certificate of Insurance (COI) before you can set up your booth at an event. Learn why craft vendors need insurance.
*Note: Transparency matters to us at ACT. This guide uses the most current, verifiable information available at the time of writing so you can choose the best coverage for your business — even if that choice isn’t us. Our priority is to help makers protect their work with clarity and confidence.
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| Provider | Starting Price* | Coverage Included | Buy 100% Online? | Base Coverage Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ACT Insurance |
$49/event for 1-3 days |
General liability, damage to premises rented, medical expense |
✅ |
$2,000,000 aggregate (total amount paid for all claims) |
|
Insurance Canopy |
$49/event |
General liability, damage to premises rented, medical expense |
✅ |
$2,000,000 aggregate |
|
Thimble |
$56.04/event |
General liability, personal and advertising injury, damage to premises rented, medical expense |
✅ |
$2,000,000 aggregate |
|
NEXT |
$29.92/month (Annual plans only) |
General liability, personal and advertising injury, damage to rented premises, medical expense |
✅ |
$2,000,000 aggregate |
|
K&K Insurance |
$186/event |
General liability, personal and advertising injury, products and completed operations, damage to premises rented to you, medical expenses |
❌ |
$5,000,000 aggregate |
*For a true apples-to-apples comparison, quotes were obtained at the time of writing for a craft vendor who is a sole proprietor living in the state of Florida. Quotes are based on events lasting 1-3 days to match ACT’s base policy, and policies that match ACT’s $2 million base aggregate limit, which meets most venue / event organizer requirements.
Cost:
Coverages Included:*
Add-ons Offered
Event Types
Standout Features
*Annual plans include product liability with available add-ons, including workshop & class coverage, data breach coverage, and theft and damage coverage.
ACT stands out as the best event insurance for artists and crafters because it’s built around the realities of creative work. Crafters insurance covers a wide range of makers, including fine artists, jewelers, sculptors, and those in trickier niches like handmade beauty.
ACT understands the risks vendors face at shows, from wind-toppled booths to stolen inventory. Creators can choose between two event insurance policies:
With ACT Pro, you get more coverage for less if you attend five or more events a year. And ACT Pro also covers online sellers.
Getting covered is quick: get a quote online, download your COI instantly, and add unlimited additional insureds for free. ACT will even send your proof of insurance directly to event organizers. When you need a little extra support, you’ll find helpful tools like the Event Finder to help you find, apply to, and get coverage for upcoming shows without the usual scramble.
Pro tip: Getting coverage for your booth is a small price to pay compared to what could go wrong. Learn more about the cost of event insurance for craft vendors and how to know you’re getting the best deal.
Cost:
Coverages Included:*
Add-ons Offered
Event Types
Standout Features
Based on our research, Insurance Canopy covers the widest variety of vendor types. While ACT is the best event insurance for crafters and makers, you can get coverage for larger, non-craft events like expos, trade shows, and retail and wholesale events with Insurance Canopy.
Insurance Canopy also has a 100% online purchase process where you can get a quote, add free additional insureds, and instantly download your COI. While they do have an annual policy available, you have to get a quote for a final price.
If you’re looking to sell your pieces wholesale or you’re an entrepreneur who doesn’t handmake their final product, Insurance Canopy is the ideal choice.
Cost:
Coverages Included:*
Add-ons Offered
Event Types
Standout Features
Thimble offers flexible insurance for crafters and makers. Choosing your coverage based on the event’s hours gives you a more affordable rate, but you may not be covered if an accident happens before or after the show, like if you ding someone’s car while unloading.
While Thimble’s rates vary depending on your state, ACT’s base policy covers you for up to three days for just one price, making it the better choice for weekend events and multi-state vendors.
Thimble lets you add professional liability to short term policies. However, protection for your tools, supplies, and equipment is not available — a crucial coverage for high-end jewelry makers and fine artists.
Cost:
Coverages Included:*
Add-ons Offered
Event Types
Standout Features
*NEXT quote is based on a craft show vendor who is a sole proprietor residing in Florida making $35,000 a year with no employees. Because NEXT does not offer event plans, limits chosen are similar to an ACT Pro annual policy.
NEXT only offers annual policies for craft vendors and doesn’t sell coverage for single events. That rules out beginners and makers who need short-term insurance, but it gives larger, more established businesses access to options like coverage for employees.
While craft vendors can tailor their coverage, most upgrades come with steep add-on costs. Coverage for your equipment as well as product liability is not offered. By comparison, ACT’s annual policy (ACT Pro) includes product liability insurance and offers more add-ons.
You can purchase NEXT coverage online or through their mobile app and pause it at any time. The application process is more involved than others, but it still provides same-day coverage and fast COIs.
Cost:
Coverages Included:*
Add-ons Offered
Event Types
Standout Features
K&K Insurance offers product liability coverage on short-term vendor policies — a rarity among event insurance providers. Although it comes with a higher cost, this added protection helps cover claims if your product causes harm after it has been sold. High liability limits also support large shows and high-end venues, but art exhibits require special approval.
K&K has flexible policy lengths, including one-day, 3-month, 6-month, and annual options with unlimited event participation. While ACT doesn’t offer a 6-month plan, its 90-day policy can be renewed automatically at a more affordable rate, making it a practical alternative for frequent craft vendors.
With decades of experience in the industry, K&K offers extensive coverage but has a slower administrative process. You can purchase a COI online, though any changes — like adding new additional insureds — must be submitted in writing and aren’t processed instantly.
When an event organizer asks for proof of insurance, naturally, you want to pick the right artist insurance for the best price. While many venues recommend ACT, we want to make sure your art is truly protected. Here’s what to look for when selecting the best insurance for crafters, artists, and makers:
Pro tip: Wondering what venue organizers actually mean when they ask for insurance, or how event coverage works in the first place? Check out our artist’s guide to meeting venue insurance requirements and feel confident you’re checking every box.
Yes. Most artists need event insurance to sell at art shows, craft fairs, and markets. Organizers often require a short-term general liability policy that covers third-party injuries or property damage. Even when it’s not required, event insurance helps protect your creative business from costly accidents.
Yes. You can buy one-day event insurance with ACT Go, a short-term liability policy for artists and crafters. ACT Go covers your booth for one to three days no matter if your event lasts a couple of hours or an entire weekend. It also includes instant proof of insurance and free, unlimited additional insureds. Just choose your date, get a quote, and download your COI.
Sometimes. Most one-day or short-term event insurance plans don’t include product liability, but an annual policy like ACT Pro does. ACT Pro covers product liability for handmade goods and protects you at an unlimited number of events each year.
You can get a certificate of insurance (COI) in minutes when you get a quote with ACT. Whether you’re planning ahead or need last-minute insurance, ACT makes getting coverage simple and fast. We’ll ask you a few questions about your business, then you can buy your policy and instantly download your COI.
Whether this is your first time getting insurance or you’re thinking about switching providers, it’s crucial to find a policy that fits your budget and the art you create. While each provider has its place in the market, ACT stands out as the best insurance for artists thanks to affordable policies and maker-first coverage.
