Homeowners Insurance question

[Karen B]

**IF** you would like to find out if your company will keep your home and auto with the business then go to another persons house. (parents, or a really good friend) Call up that company and pretend you are LOOKING to insure your home and auto with them but the catch is you make candles. Ask if they can work with you if you have a business in your home. They have caller ID so don't use your phone, but just pretend your shopping around and looking for prices. Ask if they will even do it, this way you at least know where you stand with these guys.

This will give you a heads up and not just a 30 cancellation notice.

hth,

Karen B

[Lucy Ann]

Good Morning. I am new to this - actually, my first response!

I have the same issue - cannot find anyone to sell me insurance. I am already in another business (nothing like candle making or soap and body care). I have a business policy, professional liability and worker's comp. None of these will cover candle making. I also have homeowner and an umbrella policy.

I see where SMG might carry me (do I actually need to make the soap) or can I purchase it wholesale and still join?

I do not mind spending a bit as I really want to do this and feel that soy products will be the way to go in the future.

If anyone has had good luck with a specific insurance company, I would appreciate a name for them. I also tried the cosmetic insurance industry specialists; they would not cover candles.

Thanks so much. Lucy Ann

[kandlekrazy]

Good Morning. I am new to this - actually, my first response!

I have the same issue - cannot find anyone to sell me insurance. I am already in another business (nothing like candle making or soap and body care). I have a business policy, professional liability and worker's comp. None of these will cover candle making. I also have homeowner and an umbrella policy.

I see where SMG might carry me (do I actually need to make the soap) or can I purchase it wholesale and still join?

I do not mind spending a bit as I really want to do this and feel that soy products will be the way to go in the future.

If anyone has had good luck with a specific insurance company, I would appreciate a name for them. I also tried the cosmetic insurance industry specialists; they would not cover candles.

Thanks so much. Lucy Ann

Have you tried State Farm? I was very surprised when they had no problem writing the policy. It ended up being $225/yr for a $1 Mil liab. policy. I looked for 8 months before trying them! And you are right, it's tough to get insurance for the candle business. I had one company tell me they wouldn't even cover anyone who just sells candles!

[Abbiepql]

I think the State Farm issues varies from state to state and even then - check agent to agent. SF covers my house, cars, and my business premises which is located on my property but not in my house! They cover the structure as it is part of my property and if someone hurts themselve while inside it, but all the rest of insurance for the biz including product liability is through Erie. And get this - I called three local erie agents who told me that type of insurance was not available in my state! I finally called the state home office and they found an agent that was willing to do the footwork to find coverage. So be prepared to ask a lot of questions and above all KNOW WHAT YOU need. Business insurance is not a blanket policy, you need to make sure all the bases are covered - product liability, advertising, inventory, supplies, space at shows if you are going to do them, etc.

[Guest Candelishis]

I'm in independent insurance agent. General commercial liability insurance is cheap. Most companies carry it, and you can get a policy that will cover your liability, and add an endorsement to your home as long as you have the liability with the same company that your h/o policy is through.

[wynndara]

If I am understanding the info told to me corrrectly, at least here in MN, if you have your company as a Limited Liability Company, your home and personal belongings cannot be touched in case of a problem with a home based business.

HTH

Wynndara

[Oceangazer1]

I'm in NY and I just called a State Farm insurance agent today and they do not cover candlemakers. He didn't even know of an agency to refer me to. Just checking on pricing again. Several yrs ago, I had called around for days, to no avail and the One company that did cover was $1800.00/yr. Well, I just sat there and cried as there was no way I could afford that knowing I would only be doing 2-3 shows/yr. It's mostly a hobby for me. But thanks to this board I went with the Soap Makers Guild and I feel so much better. Hoping that at least my shows now will cover the premium. So what happens when someone goes into an ACMoore's and buys their candle and soapmaking kits to try, won't their Homeowners Drop them???