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Getting the Right Insurance Coverage
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Do I Need Property Insurance for My Art Studio?
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Do I Need Liability Insurance for My Art Studio?
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On a daily basis, the CERF+ (Craft Emergency Relief Fund + Artists' Emergency Resouces) receives requests from craft artists throughout the country for information and financial assistance in the wake of emergencies that jeopardize their livelihoods. Too often, these fires, natural disasters, accidents, life-threatening illnesses, and thefts leave professional artists on the brink of ruin because they have not properly protected themselves with business insurance. CERF+ currently provides financial assistance only to craft artists, but there is no reason to believe that the same does not hold true for all artists.
While there may be no way to prevent an emergency from taking a toll on your business, the damage can be minimized with appropriate business insurance. Many artists have considered business insurance but have dismissed it as either an unaffordable or a frivolous expense. But as Christina and Michael Adcock, owners of Leaves of Grass in Santa Barbara California, can attest, it is not. In 2002, they lost all of their equipment, materials, tools and inventory in a fire that consumed their studio. They were unable to work for the three months it took for their studio to be rebuilt. Fortunately, they were covered by insurance.
"As craftspeople, we tend to have limited financial resources," Christina relates. "When paying monthly bills, I used to resent all the money we paid for insurance. I now understand the importance of the precaution. Without insurance, I am fairly certain our small business could not have sustained a loss like this" I looked up our business insurance expenditures prior to the fire and was surprised to see that we had spent a little over $300 for the insurance that saved our business." Their losses totaled over $65,000.
This section of the Studio Protector is to inform uninsured artists about the world of small business insurance and to help you navigate the insurance industry to get the protection that you and your business deserve. If you already have business insurance, we hope that this section will help you assess that coverage. While many feel that insurance is an inscrutable industry − a world of fine print and technical jargon − and one that rejects our claims or cancels our coverage after we make the tiniest claim, it is actually an industry that provides protection for our businesses. Be assured that most agents and brokers are working in your best interest and will provide you with honest service and reliable representation, fair prices and reasonable responses to claims. That's more than half the battle
Insurance Resources
 CERF+ maintains a listing of nationally-marketed business insurance plans that have been designed for artists, and resources to assist artists in making informed decisions. If you find a listing that is no longer up-to-date or fail to receive a reply, please send us an email.
Business Insurance Plans
The following organizations and companies offer business insurance to artists. We provide this as a resource only, and do not endorse products offered by any company or organization. If you know of other organizations or companies who have plans specifically designed for artists please contact us at: insurance@studioprotector.org
To filter the listings select the criteria that apply to your search and press the "filter" button. The clear filters link will return the entire list and clear your filter selections.
 Business Insurance Guidebook for Artists
A Studio Protector® publication by CERF+, this pocket-sized booklet contains the essential information you need to assess your business insurance needs and to purchase a business insurance policy for your studio — all in easy to follow checklists and tips. It is available for $3.00 including postage from the CERF+ Store.
A printable pdf version is also available for free download.
Insurance Resources
The following companies and organizations may be helpful in researching business insurance and in checking out specific insurance companies and underwriters. Also, see other pages in this section.
A. M. BEST COMPANY, INC.
A. M. Best Company does independent ratings of insurance companies. Register with them to access the financial stability ratings for your current or potential insurance carrier.
Ambest Road
Oldwick, NJ 08858
Phone: 908-439-2200
E-mail: customer_service@ambest.com
www.ambest.com
FIGHT BAD-FAITH INSURANCE COMPANIES (FBIC)
FBIC compiles ratings from state insurance agencies and from individuals who have made insurance claims to establish good and bad faith ratings for insurance companies.
E-mail: MyBadFaithStory@badfaithinsurance.org
www.badfaithinsurance.org
INSURANCE INFORMATION INSTITUTE
This insurance industry supported site has information about a wide variety of types of insurance, news items about insurance industry trends, and a variety of consumer-oriented brochures that can be viewed online or downloaded (http://www2.iii.org/store/index.cfm?section=Online - scroll down to find listings).
10 William Street
New York, NY 10038
Phone: 212-346-5500
www.iii.org
STANDARD & POOR'S
Standard & Poor's does independent ratings of insurance companies. Register with them to access the financial stability ratings for your current or potential insurance carrier.
55 Water Street
New York, NY 10041
Phone: 212-438-1000
E-mail: questions@standardandpoors.com
www.standardandpoors.com
STATE INSURANCE DEPARTMENT LISTING
Through your insurance commissioner’s office you can find out if an insurance company is licensed to do business in your state. Some states also maintain complaince rankings for insurance companies doing business in their state. Your insurance commissioner's office may also be of assistance if you have a claims-related dispute with your insurance company.
National Association of Insurance Commissioners
2301 McGee Street Suite 800
Kansas City, MO 64108-2662
Phone: 816-842-3600
www.naic.org
UNITED POLICYHOLDERS
A non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public on insurance issues and consumer rights. The website contains much useful on purchasing insurance and information relating to making an insurance claim.
110 Pacific Avenue, PMB 262
San Francisco, CA 94111
Phone: 510-763-9740
E-mail: info@unitedpolicyholders.org
www.unitedpolicyholders.org
Tim & Nora
Do I Need Property Insurance for My Art Studio?  Property Insurance
In this animation, Nora is trying to decide whether she needs business insurance for her new art studio. In Part 1, she and Tim talk about property insurance.
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Tim & Nora
Property Insurance
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Do I Need Property Insurance for My Art Studio?
In this animation, Nora is trying to decide whether she needs business insurance for her new art studio. In Part 1, she and Tim talk about property insurance.
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Tim & Nora
Do I Need Liability Insurance for My Art Studio?  Liability Insurance
In this animated video, Nora is trying to decide whether she needs business insurance for her new art studio. Part 2: She and Tim talk about liability insurance.
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Tim & Nora
Liability Insurance
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Do I Need Liability Insurance for My Art Studio?
In this animated video, Nora is trying to decide whether she needs business insurance for her new art studio. Part 2: She and Tim talk about liability insurance.
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Casey Summar
Artists and Business Insurance  Why Artists Need Business Insurance
Casey Summar, Executive Director of Volunteer Lawyers and Professionals for the Arts (Nashville, TN) talks about potential liabilities and why artists should consider purchasing business insurance.
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Casey Summar
Why Artists Need Business Insurance
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Artists and Business Insurance
Casey Summar, Executive Director of Volunteer Lawyers and Professionals for the Arts (Nashville, TN) talks about potential liabilities and why artists should consider purchasing business insurance.
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Carrie Logan
Artists' Preparedness and Insurance  Business Insurance for Artists
Carrie Logan, Public Arts Manager for the Metro Nashville Arts Commission speaks about public art contracts, liability insurance requirements, and the need for artists to be prepared for emergencies.
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Carrie Logan
Business Insurance for Artists
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Artists' Preparedness and Insurance
Carrie Logan, Public Arts Manager for the Metro Nashville Arts Commission speaks about public art contracts, liability insurance requirements, and the need for artists to be prepared for emergencies.
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Gary Spykman
If the Water Comes Up...You're Not Covered  Flood Insurance
Furniture maker Gary Spykman talks about an insurance issue that arose after his studio was flooded.
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Gary Spykman
Flood Insurance
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If the Water Comes Up...You're Not Covered
Furniture maker Gary Spykman talks about an insurance issue that arose after his studio was flooded.
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