TallTayl Posted December 18, 2013 Share Posted December 18, 2013 (edited) When you begin to sell your products, it is often recommended to obtain Product Liability and possibly other business insurance coverage to protect yourself from potential law suits. At first the project of finding and selecting a carrier seems daunting. Depending on your sales levels, insurance may even seem out of reach at first. You have several options, some dependent on your total sales in a given calendar year. This list is not all inclusive, but gives you an idea of places to start your search for a carrier that fits your personal business needs. Popular Insurance Carriers for Indie Businesses (Soap, Candles, Cosmetics, etc) Name: Brower Insurance - sold to Marsh & McLennan - Sold to ZN Creative Product: Artist and Craft Artist Program Web site: http://www.mma-mw.com/business/specialty-programs/artist-program https://zncreative.com Products Covered: Speak with agent. No specific products are listed on the site. Extra Benefits: none Note: insurance coverage only. No memberships to guilds or networks required. Name: RLI Product: Product Liability Insurance Web site: http://www.rlicorp.com/Products/pl.asp Extra Benefits: none Products Covered: Speak with agent. No specific products are listed on the site. Note: insurance coverage only. No memberships to guilds or networks required. Name: Handcrafted Soap and Cosmetics Guild Web site: http://www.soapguild.org/ FAQ: http://www.soapguild.org/membership/benefits-chart.php Products Covered: Quote Soaps, lotion, bath salts, perfume, essential oils, fragrances, candles, jewelry, clothing, fragrance oils, base oils, waxes, powders, masks, scrubs and just about anything else that is used to beautify the body, the home or the environment and is handcrafted. This list is not a full list, but a representative sampling of the kinds of products covered. Pet products are covered if they are handcrafted by you. If they are made elsewhere and repackaged by you, or you buy them in bulk and repackage them, they are not covered by this program. Coffee, tea and other consumables are covered only if they are prepackaged and sold in a set (such as a gift basket) in conjunction with handcrafted items that are covered as above. If they are sold separately, they are not covered. Extra Benefits: some supplier discounts. http://www.soapguild.org/membership/benefits-chart.php Other Notes: insurance is a member benefit. You cannot obtain insurance without accompanying guild membership. Name: Indie Business Network Web Site: http://www.indiebusinessnetwork.com/products/ Product Info: http://www.indiebusinessnetwork.com/product-liability-insurance/ x Products Covered: Quote The program covers the following types of products: handmade lotion, soap, bath salts, perfume, essential oils, candles, jewelry, perfumes, fragrance oils, base oils, waxes, powders, masks and scrubs. Candies, cookies and brownies are covered only if they are sold in a set (such as a gift basket) in conjunction with cosmetics that are covered. If they are sold separately from covered cosmetics, they are not covered by this program. Items that are not covered include products such as these: drugs, nutritional supplements, products requiring a prescription, cosmetics designed for internal use, coffee, tea, children’s toys and meat products. If you are unsure as to whether or not your product is covered, please contact Valerie Bjarnson at Veracity Insurance at(866) 395-1308 or ibn at veracityins dot com for assistance. Extra Benefits: some supplier discounts. Note: insurance is a member benefit. You cannot obtain insurance without accompanying IBN membership. Other: Check with your own insurance carrier(s) and compare options and rates. It is useful to have coverage charts from the popular specialized industry options to compare apples to apples. Edited May 3, 2016 by TallTayl 5 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puma52 Posted December 19, 2013 Share Posted December 19, 2013 Thanks TallTayl!! Great information to be had by all! Appreciate you! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravens Posted December 20, 2013 Share Posted December 20, 2013 Ought to be a "sticky",TT. Thanks! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TallTayl Posted December 20, 2013 Author Share Posted December 20, 2013 Ought to be a "sticky",TT. Thanks! (= whispers... It is a sticky... =) I figured it would be useful as a sticky in this section. If you have any other insurance sources, or ideas for business links please let me know. We're building more into these business pages to (hopefully) help a bit. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravens Posted December 20, 2013 Share Posted December 20, 2013 And it will help, TT. Great start! :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vernie1 Posted December 21, 2013 Share Posted December 21, 2013 Thanks for such great information! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candybee Posted December 21, 2013 Share Posted December 21, 2013 (edited) Great info! Something anyone thinking about selling their product needs to consider and check out!I believe there is also insurance specifically for craft shows. I used to know of a company from a craft show directory I had a subscription with. I will look it up and post it if I can find it. Edited December 21, 2013 by Candybee 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unique candles Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 Hi trying to get product insurance for candle selling etc, but not having any luck I have an agent he says it's very hard to get in Michigan can anyone help me located and insurance company have called a lot of company and no help thanks in advance,linda 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TallTayl Posted January 14, 2014 Author Share Posted January 14, 2014 Did you try any of the four listed in the first post? They all offer coverage in the US states. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unique candles Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 Yes, I called India and not in Michigan but I will not give up thanks. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravens Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 TallTTayl how about a post (or better yet, a sticky) in regards to the INCI? Though I have it under my favorites, it may be a good thing to have here also, especially for those new to the craft. Just a thought; thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TallTayl Posted January 19, 2014 Author Share Posted January 19, 2014 Good idea Ravens . Keep them coming Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetTreat Posted April 16, 2016 Share Posted April 16, 2016 If we purchase a base lotion and add fragrance/oils to it, is that considered "hand crafted?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonstar Posted April 16, 2016 Share Posted April 16, 2016 Great post ! Unique Candles ...I recently received an email from WSP regarding small business insurance relating to bath/body etc. Im sure somewhere on the website you'll find some information - wholesalesupplies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vicky_CO Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 8 hours ago, SweetTreat said: If we purchase a base lotion and add fragrance/oils to it, is that considered "hand crafted?" For insurance yes. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TallTayl Posted April 17, 2016 Author Share Posted April 17, 2016 16 hours ago, SweetTreat said: If we purchase a base lotion and add fragrance/oils to it, is that considered "hand crafted?" Read the requirements for each individual provider. Some vary. They all specify what they cover and what qualifies. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NrthTxWind Posted May 3, 2016 Share Posted May 3, 2016 Can any one tell me ,just starting out a business in candles, how much liability insurance would be for a year? Small business, in Tx. The insurance I found used a underwriter. With fees, around 900.00 a yr. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TallTayl Posted May 3, 2016 Author Share Posted May 3, 2016 The prices in the top post are still pretty close to accurate. $500-$550 a year typically for product and general liability along with membership to the respective guilds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NrthTxWind Posted May 3, 2016 Share Posted May 3, 2016 Thanks TallTayl... cant seem to pull up Brower. Gone under? I don't make soaps....yet. So Indie might be the one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TallTayl Posted May 3, 2016 Author Share Posted May 3, 2016 5 hours ago, NrthTxWind said: Thanks TallTayl... cant seem to pull up Brower. Gone under? I don't make soaps....yet. So Indie might be the one. A quick google of Brower showed they were sold to Marsh & McLennen, who spun off the artist insurance to ZN Creative. The site linked for ZN Creative allows for an instant quote. No idea about coverages or restrictions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candybee Posted September 3, 2016 Share Posted September 3, 2016 I recently received this email from WSP and thought I would share. Could be good news for some of you: August 19, 2016 Breaking News: New Mexico - Handmade Insurance Program Just in Time for Craft Show Season! Affordable Handmade Insurance New Mexico been approved and added to the Handmade Insurance website. This means if you live in those states (as well as the others already approved) you can secure your affordable insurance policy for as low as $275 today! Why do you need insurance? Because you work hard and it is important to protect yourself, your business and your assets with liability insurance that will respond to claims made against our business activities, including producing and selling hand made products. Unfortunately, homeowner policies most likely will not respond to claims involving the business activities of producing and selling handmade products which leaves small soap and cosmetic makers with very few "affordable" options. Luce, Smith & Scott. is an independent insurance agency that specializes in the development of insurance programs for specialty industry business groups. They are developing an affordable (for many as low as $275 annually) insurance program for the handmade industry with an A+ Best rated insurance company. Policies are now available in the following states: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, NE, NC, NJ, NM, NV, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV. In the near future policies are expected in these states: LA,NH, NY. Rest of the states will follow shortly thereafter. Don't delay, go to the Handmade Insurance.com website and get coverage today! Debbie May President Wholesale Supplies Plus, Inc.www.WholesaleSuppliesPlus.com 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wthomas57 Posted September 3, 2016 Share Posted September 3, 2016 1 hour ago, Candybee said: I recently received this email from WSP and thought I would share. Could be good news for some of you: August 19, 2016 Breaking News: New Mexico - Handmade Insurance Program Just in Time for Craft Show Season! Affordable Handmade Insurance New Mexico been approved and added to the Handmade Insurance website. This means if you live in those states (as well as the others already approved) you can secure your affordable insurance policy for as low as $275 today! Why do you need insurance? Because you work hard and it is important to protect yourself, your business and your assets with liability insurance that will respond to claims made against our business activities, including producing and selling hand made products. Unfortunately, homeowner policies most likely will not respond to claims involving the business activities of producing and selling handmade products which leaves small soap and cosmetic makers with very few "affordable" options. Luce, Smith & Scott. is an independent insurance agency that specializes in the development of insurance programs for specialty industry business groups. They are developing an affordable (for many as low as $275 annually) insurance program for the handmade industry with an A+ Best rated insurance company. Policies are now available in the following states: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, NE, NC, NJ, NM, NV, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV. In the near future policies are expected in these states: LA,NH, NY. Rest of the states will follow shortly thereafter. Don't delay, go to the Handmade Insurance.com website and get coverage today! Debbie May President Wholesale Supplies Plus, Inc.www.WholesaleSuppliesPlus.com unfortunately, I just read through their FAQs and info and they exclude candles (not eligible). Bummer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kandlekrazy Posted December 28, 2017 Share Posted December 28, 2017 I don't know if anyone has tried but I contacted RLI just to see how their rates compared and they do not sell insurance to individuals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TallTayl Posted December 28, 2017 Author Share Posted December 28, 2017 Check wholesale supplies plus too. They recently offered insurance options from what I remember reading. In the end, the handmade soap and cosmetics guild has been one of the best , most comprehensive. Indie business network also covered edible hand made from the last time I checked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldieMN Posted December 28, 2017 Share Posted December 28, 2017 This was probably mentioned already, but "If you don't make soap or cosmetics and don't want to add it to your product line, then you don't qualify for membership in the HSCG and will need to look elsewhere for product liability insurance." (https://www.soapguild.org/insurance/insurance-faq.php). GoldieMN 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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