You’re prepping for your second art fair this year and wondering, Should I get one-day event coverage again, or should I get covered for the whole year?
Creatives like you are intentional about each color choice and design flourish on a product. It’s smart to apply that same thoughtfulness to your business insurance shopping.
In the next five minutes, find out if one-day or annual artist coverage is the better fit for you — and where to get the most bang for your buck!
The Key Differences: Craft Event Insurance vs. Annual Insurance
Comparing One-Day vs. Annual Artist and Crafter Insurance
| One-Day Event Artist Insurance | Annual Artist Insurance | |
|---|---|---|
|
From ACT Insurance
|
Offered through ACT Go
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Offered through ACT Pro
|
|
Coverage Duration
|
1-3 days, 7 days, or 90 days
|
365 days |
|
Coverage |
General liability insurance
|
General and product liability insurance
|
|
Additional Insureds
|
Free and unlimited
|
Free and unlimited
|
|
Add-On Coverages Available
|
No — meant for quick, basic general liability coverage for events!
|
Theft and Damage Coverage, Workshop and Class Coverage, and Data Breach Coverage
|
Learn more about ACT Pro vs. ACT Go.
What Is One-Day Artist Event Insurance?
One-day event insurance for artists and crafters is short-term liability coverage that protects you while you attend an event.
Liability: Your legal responsibility to a third party (like an event attendee or venue) if your business causes them harm
As its name suggests, this type of coverage usually lasts for a day — 24 hours, just enough for your event! — but some policies offer up to three days of coverage.
Quick Facts on Artist Event Insurance
- The typical cost range is about $100/event
- It usually only covers general liability and venue damage claims
- It’s great for one-time events or first-time vendors testing the event scene
- Event organizers often require it before accepting you as a vendor
For the creator attending their first art fair or community market, event insurance is like a ticket to get your booth on the grounds!
But it’s so much more than that; it protects your small business from expensive what-ifs that can happen as you interact with the public.
Basically, “You’re in! And you’re also covered from nasty customer slip-and-falls or accidental property damage.”
What Is Annual Artist and Crafter Insurance?
Take artist event coverage and make it bigger, better, and stronger — that’s annual artist and crafter insurance!
Annual artist insurance is year-round coverage (for multiple events) that protects you from a wider range of claims (not just general liability).
Quick Facts on Annual Art and Craft Insurance
- The typical cost range is $300+ per year
- Coverage includes general and product liability
- You can add on coverage for theft and damage
- You can also cover your workshops or live demos
- It’s great for regular sellers, plus online and in-person sales
- Continuous 365-day coverage meets event insurance requirements
For craft vendors who are serious about growing their business and getting their creations in front of as many people as possible, annual coverage is a pass to a full year of peace of mind.
Essentially, “Attend as many events as you want! You’re covered from general liability claims, plus accidents caused by your products, for the entire year.”
How to Choose: 3 Art Vendor Scenarios
Hana the Hobbyist
“I’m just starting out and don’t have much time to devote to my art hobby. I only sell at one or two fairs per year. I’m not at the point where I’m worried about product liability — yet.”
✅One-day event coverage through ACT Go is fine! Hana just needs to meet event insurance requirements as she gets her vendor feet wet.
Sage the Side Hustler
“Creating and selling art is my side hustle. I attend events every other month and ramp up during the holiday season. I also teach a ceramics class in the summertime.”
✅Annual artist coverage through ACT Pro pays off quickly! Plus, Sage can add on workshop and class coverage.
Frankie the Full-Timer
“I’m all in on my arts and crafts business! I have a booth every weekend, and I also sell products online. I need continuous coverage for the entire year — and I need to know I’m covered if my creations accidentally injure a customer.”
✅An annual policy like ACT Pro is a no-brainer! Frankie enjoys 365 days of comprehensive coverage and the peace of mind to grow his business.
Why Annual Coverage Might Be Your Best Choice (Even if You Only Do a Few Events)
Here are some key things to consider as you compare event and annual crafters liability insurance.
Annual Coverage Can Be Cheaper in the Long Run
If you attend five or more events a year, getting annual coverage is a better value! Rather than paying $49 for each event (which adds up quickly!), you can pay a flat annual fee (from $279/year) to vend at an unlimited number of events throughout the year.
No Scrambling for Proof of Insurance
Last-minute event on the calendar? It happens! With annual coverage, you won’t have to scramble to get proof of insurance to meet event requirements if there’s a change of plans. Your ACT Pro certificate of insurance (COI) is ready to go right from your online account.
Protection Against Product Liability Claims
Once a product leaves your hands, your business is at risk of claims like customer injury, property damage, or someone having a reaction to your creations. You never know if one of your creations can accidentally cause harm — even if you label properly or double-check design safety!
Product liability incidents can happen to anyone. And if you only have event insurance, you’re not protected against claims that occur after the sale. For more comprehensive coverage, an annual policy (like ACT Pro) that combines general and product liability is your best bet.
Access to Optional Coverage Add-Ons
Interested in any of these coverage add-ons?
- Theft and damage coverage: Pays to replace lost or stolen tools and inventory
- Workshop and class coverage: Covers your professional services in case you make a mistake or a student gets injured during class
- Data breach coverage: Helps with the aftermath of a data breach (like if your customers’ credit card information is stolen from your online sales platform)
These are only available through ACT Pro annual coverage!
Peace of Mind for the Whole Year
Your creativity is nonstop — why limit your peace of mind? With year-round coverage from ACT Pro, feel confident growing your business from fair to festival and everything in between.
You get coverage that follows you wherever you work, so you can share your unique creations worry-free.
One Day or 365: ACT Keeps Up With Your Creativity
FAQs About One-Day vs. Annual Artist and Crafter Insurance
What Is Single-Day Event Insurance for Craft Vendors?
Single-day event insurance for craft vendors is general liability insurance just for the day you attend an event. Event organizers often require this coverage on your vendor application!
ACT Go’s shortest coverage plan is three days, giving you two extra days of coverage for booth setup and teardown.
What Kind of Insurance Should an Art & Craft Event Vendor Have?
At a minimum, an art and craft event vendor should have general liability insurance while attending an event. However, to stay fully protected in case of accidents caused by their products after the sale, vendors should carry product liability insurance.
Why Do Events Require Artists to Have Insurance?
Event organizers require art and craft vendors to carry insurance because it helps keep everyone (you, the attendees, and the event organizer) safe if a general liability claim arises.
It’s a safety net that transfers the risk of putting on the event from the organizer to the insurer.
How Much Is Liability Insurance for a One-Day Event?
Liability insurance for a one-day event starts at $49 per event with ACT — one of the most affordable event insurance policies for artists on the market, with two extra days of coverage included!
JoAnne Hammer | Program Manager
JoAnne Hammer is the Program Manager for ACT Insurance. She has held the prestigious Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation since July 2004.
JoAnne understands that starting and operating a business takes a tremendous amount of time, dedication, and financial resources. She believes that insurance is the single best way to protect your investment, business, and personal assets.
JoAnne Hammer is the Program Manager for ACT Insurance. She has held the prestigious Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation since July 2004.
JoAnne understands that starting and operating a business takes a tremendous amount of time, dedication, and financial resources. She believes that insurance is the single best way to protect your investment, business, and personal assets.
