What insurance do i need for a market stall? where do i get it?

Question

just need to be insured for selling my cotton bags at a local farmers market, don't know what cover i need, or the best place to get it, please advise.... i want to set up stall on wednesday

Answer 1

I'm surprised that other traders have not mentioned the Federation of Market Traders. They cover all aspects of market trading including insurance.

Answer 2

If you're not sure what business insurance you need, have a look at http://www.coverzones.com.  Answer the two questions about your business (Market Trader) and you'll see a 'help me choose' button.  Click on this and answer a few simple questions and it will work out the insurance you need.

Answer 3

Contact an Insurance Broker in your area, Look in yellow pages or online. it can be done over the phone. I think you may need public liability insurance just in case your stall colapses and kills someone.  Extreme i know but thats the way it is these days.

Answer 4

You may be able to cover this through your home insurance.  Some insurers offer a home based business rider for smaller ventures.

So start there.  Then go to a local broker if your home ins won't cover it.

Answer 5

At the very least I would suggest that you would require Public Liability insurance. This will cover you in the event that a member of the public or third party were to injure themselves or cause damage to their property whilst visiting your stall i.e. trip over on something you have inadvertently left on the floor.

In terms of where to get it quickly, any company that sells public liability insurance over the phone should be able to confirm cover to you as soon as you purchase.

Good luck

Answer 6

You should be able to get a produce liability rider on your home/farm owners insurance for under $200 a year. if you you are renting and you do not have such insurance than join the farm bureau or farmer's union and get their liability insurance. It can be hard to find companies that will insure market farmers for liability and if you do not already have coverage for your farm it is very expensive-like over $1500 a year for a million dollar policy.

I believe I pay around $80 through State farm for liability coverage for liability at farmers markets and my farm store. But it was hard to get coverage as i had one agent who insisted State farm had no such coverage. We found out they did indeed have liability for small farms selling produce and meat and it was not expensive. Had to change agents to get the coverage (because the guy we were using is a lazy moron) but now we are covered in case of accidents/bad food.