Do craft show vendors need liability insurance?
Last reviewed September 14, 2026 · Every figure links to its source
Short answer
You need it whenever the event or venue requires it, and it is worth considering even when they do not. Some events ask every vendor for a certificate of insurance before show day, so check the vendor agreement. Specialty crafter policies are inexpensive: ACT Insurance, for example, publishes $279 a year for annual coverage and $49 for a single 1–3 day event, both with $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate limits [1].
What general liability insurance covers at a show
General liability insurance is designed for claims that someone was hurt or their property was damaged because of your business — for example, a shopper tripping over a display or a tent blowing into a neighboring booth. Product liability coverage is for claims that something you sold caused harm, which matters for items like candles, soap, bath products, children's items and food. ACT's annual crafter policy, for example, lists a separate $2,000,000 products–completed operations aggregate limit [1]. Read each policy to see exactly what is and is not covered.
Published prices from a specialty provider
ACT Insurance lists these crafter liability prices [1]:
| Coverage | Price | Each occurrence | Aggregate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual (ACT Pro) | $279 per year ($24.25/month) | $1,000,000 | $2,000,000 |
| Single event, 1–3 days (ACT Go) | $49 | $1,000,000 | $2,000,000 |
| Single event, 7 days | $99 | $1,000,000 | $2,000,000 |
| Single event, 90 days | $199 | $1,000,000 | $2,000,000 |
If you sell at more than a handful of events a year, compare the annual price with the per-event cost of the shows you plan to do.
Certificates of insurance and "additional insured"
Organizers often ask for a certificate of insurance (COI) — a one-page document from your insurer showing your coverage — and may ask to be named as an additional insured on your policy for their event. Request these from your insurer before the organizer's deadline, and check whether there is an extra charge.
Questions to ask before you buy
- Does the policy include product liability for what I sell?
- Does it cover my booth equipment or inventory against theft or damage, or is that separate?
- Can I add event organizers and venues as additional insureds, and at what cost?
- Does it cover events in every state where I sell?
This is general information, not insurance advice.
Sources
- ACT Insurance — Crafts liability insurance — https://www.actinsurance.com/crafts-liability-insurance — annual and per-event prices and coverage limits