COMPENDIUM: INSURANCE POLICIES
for artists and art collections in North America - the USA & Canada
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Below you can find links to information about INSURANCE POLICIES relating to the USA & Canada for:
Information about Canada specific Insurance Policies is towards the bottom of the page. MORE about INSURANCE FOR ART AND ARTISTS on the main page If you have any specific recommendations please email me (see form at end). Please do NOT email asking for a quote or a recommendation - I do NOT provide them. |
DISCLAIMER: One has to start somewhere when inviting insurance quotes - HOWEVER (1) Inclusion of a link to a website does NOT endorse or otherwise indicate the organisation provides a reputable and effective service - although I aim, with your help over time, to compile a useful and comprehensive compendium of crowd-sourced recommendations about different insurers - and which to avoid. (2) I'm also not responsible in any way for the services provided at the other end of a link or advert (3) I don't know which adverts you see (Google tailors them to you and YOU control what you see) and I do not specifically endorse any services offered by advertisements. |
In 2010, 69% of artists were not properly insured
READ Insuring Creativity - CERF Business Insurance Survey
Emergencies (fire/flood/winds etc), crime or an accident - may well have a significant impact on your business
(Insurance for Art and Artists Page has Case Studies about artists and art galleries affected by fire, flood and tornados).
READ Insuring Creativity - CERF Business Insurance Survey
Emergencies (fire/flood/winds etc), crime or an accident - may well have a significant impact on your business
(Insurance for Art and Artists Page has Case Studies about artists and art galleries affected by fire, flood and tornados).
However YOU can minimise the impact of risks to your business and your income with appropriate business insurance - and awareness of what is and is not insured - and appropriate preparation and precautions.
RECOMMENDED READING
Business Insurance Guidebook for Artists
I very much recommend you READ BUSINESS INSURANCE Guidebook For Artists BY CERF+ (A Studio Protector Publication). It provides an EXCELLENT GUIDE to what you need to know
Just click the link and download the PDF file to keep and read at your leisure.
Just click the link and download the PDF file to keep and read at your leisure.
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YOU ARE RECOMMENDED TO
1. OBTAIN A NUMBER OF QUOTES
2. REVIEW AND COMPARE THE COVER AND PRICES OFFERED
BEFORE
3. DECIDING ON WHICH INSURANCE POLICY YOU BUY
1. OBTAIN A NUMBER OF QUOTES
2. REVIEW AND COMPARE THE COVER AND PRICES OFFERED
BEFORE
3. DECIDING ON WHICH INSURANCE POLICY YOU BUY
INSURANCE FOR ARTISTS BASED IN THE USA
Below are links to sites which state they provide insurance for artists in the USA and Canada
There are two main routes to insurance tailored for artists
There are two main routes to insurance tailored for artists
- use an artists organisation that has negotiated good rates via a broker for specialised insurance for art and artists
- use a specialist arts insurance broker - and get a quote direct specific to your personal needs.
- Some of these are listed in directories compiled by artists' organisations
INSURANCE FOR ARTISTS - ORGANISED BY ARTISTS' ORGANISATIONS
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The Art Glass Association Insurance Program - Members have unique insurance needs and the program understands the specific needs of artists working with glass. The AGA Insurance Program has created a "one stop shop"with access to innovative, industry specific insurance products and coverage at an affordable cost.
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Short and to the point - in terms of scope and coverage
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CERF+ provides advice and information about insurance for artists - but does not negotiate insurance plans
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A website with some of the best content - but some very confusing navigation. It's not easy to find this Insurance Hub Home Page.
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Business related items are NOT COVERED BY DOMESTIC INSURANCE!
If you experience a disaster then you need business insurance to receive recompense for what you have lost.
See the CERF+ Video below.
If you experience a disaster then you need business insurance to receive recompense for what you have lost.
See the CERF+ Video below.
Damage from floods is not covered by most homeowners, renters, and business insurance policies. Flooding is water that comes from the ground up, rather than driven by wind or through a roof that has been damaged which is covered by most policies.
ADVERT
SPECIALIST ARTIST INSURANCE BROKER - in the USA
Types of Insurance that Sculptors Regularly Need to Obtain for their Studios, Employees, and Exhibitions by Daniel Grant (Sculpture | June 2004) - an article about the type of insurance that sculptors need in the US
What follows are various specialist providers of insurance for artists, sculptors etc including those exhibiting in art galleries, art fairs and trade shows.
What follows are various specialist providers of insurance for artists, sculptors etc including those exhibiting in art galleries, art fairs and trade shows.
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Art Studio Insurance | Business Insurance USA - Art studios, like other small businesses, need to protect company profits and assets while also providing the best protection they can for their customers.
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Well designed website with an integrated quote system leading to an online form for your business details
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Artist, Crafters, & Tradesman Insurance | ACT Insurance (managed by Veracity Insurance Solutions, LLC ) The website is designed to designed to help artists and crafters get the insurance they need. and offers two different types of insurance
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All the basics on the front page - tick! Personally I'd redesign the front page so that the content of the left and right columns line up.
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Fractured Atlas | Liability Insurance for Artists and Arts Organizations Lots of people can sell you insurance, but Fractured Atlas is different. A non-profit organization that supports the arts and creative industries.
Fractured Atlas empowers artists, arts organizations, and other cultural sector stakeholders by eliminating practical barriers to artistic expression. It is a nonprofit tech company that creates online tools to help artists with the business aspect of their operations. |
The page for art equipment coverage - the page for artists does NOT says "Arts" NOT Visual Arts
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Artist & Craft Artist Insurance - Zinc Insurance (on insuranceforartists.com) - describe themselves as an insurance agency inside an art studio
Any artist or craft artist who lives or maintains a working premises (shop or studio) in any of the eligible states may purchase the insurance (see "Qualifying Locations" above). Spouses and resident relatives of the artist or craft artist are covered at no additional charge. Employees, associates, and apprentices are not covered, but may purchase insurance of their own.
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Very contemporary design - almost too simple relative to what it offers
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Below is a very useful YouTube Video about Business Insurance for Artists by Zinc
or why business insurance is difficult for people who tend to be more are different rather other professionals
Founder of Zinc Insurance Seth Zaremba discusses the different types of insurance that can benefit visual artists and answers some common questions to help you protect your art, assets and career.
or why business insurance is difficult for people who tend to be more are different rather other professionals
Founder of Zinc Insurance Seth Zaremba discusses the different types of insurance that can benefit visual artists and answers some common questions to help you protect your art, assets and career.
ADVERT
Healthcare Insurance for artists in the USA
[NOTE: This section needs updating for changes since originally drafted]
These are links to:
Affordable Care - Information
This section looks at the issues associated with the The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), commonly called the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or "ObamaCare". This requires every American to carry health insurance or face a tax penalty. Health insurance is also supposed to become more affordable - and Insurance companies should no longer be able to deny coverage for any reason.
These are links to:
- sites discussing affordable care and health insurance for artists in the USA
- sites which state they provide help to artists who have health insurance needs
Affordable Care - Information
This section looks at the issues associated with the The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), commonly called the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or "ObamaCare". This requires every American to carry health insurance or face a tax penalty. Health insurance is also supposed to become more affordable - and Insurance companies should no longer be able to deny coverage for any reason.
- The Patient's Bill of Rights - Key Features of The Affordable Care Act
- A one-page guide to the Health Insurance Marketplace
- Health Insurance For Artists: Obamacare & Beyond
This "Guide To Health Insurance For Artists" will help you prepare for the inevitable changes and make a little smoother what will probably be a bumpy transition. - How Getting Covered Is Getting Better: An Artist’s Guide to Health Insurance and Health Care Reform - the Affordable Health Care Act is controversial but promises to have significant effects on the cost and availability of health insurance for many artists. This article will help artists prepare for the changes
- Artists and Health Insurance | Art Biz Blog - Mainly comments from artists relating to their opinions or experience of health insurance for artists
- How to get health insurance if you're an artist
Figuring out Obamacare can be confusing, but it's especially important to understand if you're an artist and don't have health insurance.
HEALTH INSURANCE POLICIES FOR ARTISTS
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Affordable Care - Insurance - Springboard health | Artists’ Access to Healthcare (AAH) Springboard for the Arts connects artists to excellent, affordable community health resources.
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INSURANCE FOR ARTISTS BASED IN CANADA
A general comment about websites relating to insurance for art, artists and art organisations in Canada is that many of them provide a LOT LESS INFORMATION that similar websites elsewhere - with some notable exceptions.
Presumably this is due to lack of competition - but the insurance companies in Canada look old fashioned to me. They could improve both their presentation and access to information which might help their customers make important and meaningful decisions. In particular they should review how to help people make decisions in an informed and time-efficient way.
I'd very much appreciate feedback from artists as to which companies they find most helpful and what the process was like when trying to review who provided the best level of cover offering best value for money
Presumably this is due to lack of competition - but the insurance companies in Canada look old fashioned to me. They could improve both their presentation and access to information which might help their customers make important and meaningful decisions. In particular they should review how to help people make decisions in an informed and time-efficient way.
I'd very much appreciate feedback from artists as to which companies they find most helpful and what the process was like when trying to review who provided the best level of cover offering best value for money
INSURANCE FOR ARTISTS - ORGANISED BY ARTISTS' ORGANISATIONS
Insurance is negotiated by the representative arts organisation for its members.
- They know their needs and can attract scale economies.
- Ask your art society of they arrange insurance for its members.
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Craft Ontario (Ontario Crafts Council) - Member Services: Insurance
Membership with Craft Ontario gives you access to exclusive insurance rates and plans specifically for people in the arts! See available coverage options below. |
Excellent presentation - smart design, informative text plus link to the insurer broker for credibility
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Front Row Insurance - Studio Insurance for members of Graphic Designers of Canada
- offers affordable office insurance for small businesses by removing the broker and underwriter from the purchasing process. The Business Office Package insurance policy costs c. $500 per year. The page details what specific cover is offered (in outline terms) |
Urban and contemporary - but not a lot of graphic design studio on view!
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SPECIALIST ARTIST INSURANCE BROKER - in Canada
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Artisanandcraftinsurance.com (run by - claims to be "the leading Insurance provider for over 14 years to the Artisan and Craft industry". Their customers re people who create products for sale, work from home or a studio, exhibit at fairs, malls, shows or exhibitions. They are also the official Insurance broker for the Canadian Association of Exposition Managers, CAEM. We are also members of Exhibition Services & Contractors Association, ESCA. - so may potentially have a conflict of interest between those who organise exhibitions and fairs and those artists who exhibit at them
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Is it just me who feels patronised when confronted with this type of image?
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ASSURART - based in Montreal - has developed insurance programs to answer the needs of professionals and businesses in the Art, Culture and Entertainment sectors. Licensed as a Financial Services Firm in six major Canadian Provinces
EXTREMELY HELPFUL BILINGUAL WEBSITE Insurance provided - and explained on the website - specifically for Applied and Visual Arts
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Covering the breadth of the Arts - working with artists' organisations - and multi-lingual
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Gallagher (Arthur J. Gallagher Canada Limited)
Obviously a very large insurance broker with comprehensive coverage of many different sectors of economic activity It provides fine art insurance policies (but not a lot of detail) for:
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Possibly better suited to the corporate world?
- says the website design....
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Protégé: Custom Insurance for Art Schools and Art Educators
Provides cover for a private instructor, studio owner, or educational institution Provides VERY LITTLE INFORMATION about the scope of the cover - or why they are better than a generic business insurer. |
A very simple page with soothing words and not a lot of detail about what cover is on offer
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What this site does NOT cover
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PLEASE NOTE:
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I'm in the same boat as you - just looking to see what's out there.
The only difference between you and me is that I created a website which tries to pull relevant information together in one place! This site might help you but it can't provide definitive answers to all situations. I also cannot advise you on your personal situations Only you can satisfy yourself as to what insurance cover you need and whether the policy you buy does all it needs to. |
Would you care to share?
QUERIES:
Do you have any queries about insurance for art and artists - IN THE UK? (I can't promise to be able to provide answers but your questions will help inform the development of this page.) RECOMMENDATIONS: Do you know of any UK companies or UK websites which you would be happy to recommend? PLEASE SHARE: If you think this site would be useful to other UK artists you know please share it - social icons can be found below and at the top of the page. |
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