Art therapy produces statistically significant positive effects on negative health symptoms just like aromatherapy. Since art therapists work with a wide variety of clients, insurance is a must to protect against liability in a significant number of situations. In this article, we will look at the best components of art therapy insurance and commonly related topics like:
The cost of premiums
The best companies for art therapy insurance
Coverage limits
Available add-ons to the inclusions
| CoverWallet | NEXT (Best) | Thimble | Hiscox | The Hartford | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per occurrence limit | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 |
| Aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 |
| Products and completed operations aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Advertising injury coverage aggregate limit | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Tenant’s legal liability coverage limit | $300,000/$1,000,000 | $300,000 | $100,000 | $100,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Waiver of subrogation included? | Yes | No | Included | Can be included | No |
| Hired/non-owned auto liability coverage included? | Yes | No | No | Can be included | Can be included |
| Equipment breakdown floater included? | No | Yes | Yes | Can be included | Can be included |
| Can you get a certificate of insurance online? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Name additional insureds? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Deductible | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
A general liability policy is an art therapy insurance coverage that protects against things like third-party bodily injuries, property damage, and product liability. Below are some situations where this art therapy liability insurance might come in handy:
A painting solution causes a client to develop an allergic reaction
While working on an art therapy project, a client causes permanent damage to one of their electronics
A customer slips and falls while on the property of an art therapist
An art therapist accidentally damages a customer’s property while in their home
Art therapy covered by insurance begins by purchasing a general liability policy. Use the table above to see which insurance company offers this insurance best.
Some general liability insurance policies allow for an excess liability option, which offers more protection and a higher policy limit. This could save you in an incident where you accidentally cause more damage than you were expecting. You can also add customer property coverage that covers the loss or damage of valuables in your care.
No. Generally, the law does not require an art therapist to have general liability coverage. However, you are rolling the dice by not having any form of basic coverage that could bankrupt your business. Some types of clients, like schools and hospitals, may require that you have a form of liability protection to do business with them.
General liability claims are often triggered when an occurrence of injury or damage occurs. Often, you will need to pay a deductible before protection applies.
| CoverWallet | NEXT | Thimble (Best) | Hiscox | The Hartford | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per occurrence limit | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $2,000,000 |
| Name additional insureds? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Waiver of subrogation included? | Yes | No | Yes | Can be included | No |
| HIPAA coverage included? | No | No | No | No | No |
| Sexual misconduct coverage included? | No | No | No | No | Can be included |
| License defense coverage included? | No | No | No | No | Can be included |
| Deductible | $500 | $500 | $500 | $50/$10,000 | $500 |
Professional liability insurance is also known as professional indemnity insurance for art therapists. This insurance policy will cover any mistakes, unintentional errors, or oversights that an art therapist makes in the workplace. Examples of times you can use this coverage include:
Professional indemnity insurance for art therapists would protect you in the case that your practice causes mental anguish due to bad advice
If you don’t deliver their service at the scheduled time with a client, this type of insurance can cover your liabilities should a client hold it against you
Copyright infringement add-ons can be a good pick for art therapists since they are often dealing with artistic materials that may be copyrighted. This add-on would help protect against potential legal issues.
Another great add-on to consider is a legal protection policy that allows you to easily get connected with a legal strategy in case a customer lawsuit unexpectedly comes up.
Dishonest or malicious acts that lead to liability claims will not be covered by a professional liability policy. This will cover only unintentional mistakes or lapses in commitments that you make to your clients.
Get all the best quotes from leading providers in a click of a button!
| CoverWallet | NEXT (Best) | Thimble | Hiscox | The Hartford | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building coverage limit (minimum) | $50,000 | $260,000 | $25,000/$500,000 | $25,000 | $60,000 |
| Contents coverage limit (minimum) | $50,000 | $22,000 | $25,000/$500,000 | $25,000 | $60,000 |
| Outdoor signs | Excluded | $2,500 | Excluded | Excluded | Excluded |
| Accounts receivable | Excluded | Excluded | $5,000/10,000 | Included | Excluded |
| Money and securities | Excluded | $2,500 | $1,000 | Included | Excluded |
| Lock and keys | Excluded | $2,500 | Excluded | Excluded | Excluded |
| Business interruption floater | Excluded | Included | Included | Included | Excluded |
| Equipment breakdown floater | Excluded | Included | Excluded | Excluded | Excluded |
| Inland marine insurance floater | Excluded | Excluded | $10,000 | Excluded | Excluded |
| Employee dishonesty floater | Excluded | $5,000 | $2,500 | Included | Excluded |
Commercial property insurance covers an art therapist who operates out of a building and any property within the business. This type of insurance covers costs related to natural disasters, fire, riot, theft, and vandalism to your commercial property. Some example situations when you can use this policy include:
Fire spreads into your office and singes your art canvases
Someone breaks into your commercial property and steals art supplies
A power outage fries some electronics you use inside your business, like a phone or computer
Earthquake coverage can be added to commercial property insurance. Business interruption is another excellent policy add-on to protect against lost income that comes from damage to your office.
Any property damage due to your own negligence is not covered by this insurance policy. If you fail to maintain your building by a reasonable standard, you cannot get this covered. Certain events like insect infestation damage are also not typically included.
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| CoverWallet | Thimble (Best) | NEXT | Hiscox | The Hartford | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General liability aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $300,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 |
| Commercial property coverage limit | $50,000 | $500,000 | $260,000 | $25,000 | $75,000 |
| Optional policies can be added? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Name additional insureds for free? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| BOP discount? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Business owner’s policy combines certain types of policies, like commercial property and general liability, into one package. This type of insurance policy covers incidents of customer damages as well as commercial property damages. Below are a few examples of when you might want this policy.
A customer slips and falls in your office and damages your property in the process. BOP would cover the costs of both damages
A flood ruins the art supplies stored in your commercial property
Add-ons to a business owner’s policy are cyber liability coverage, HNOA coverage, and equipment coverage. It’s also possible to include umbrella liability coverage and customer property coverage.
| NEXT | Thimble | Hiscox | The Hartford | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aggregate limit | $3,000/$10,000 | $2,500/$5,000 | $15,000/$25,000 | $5,000-$10,000 |
| Covers hired and borrowed equipment? | $3,000/$10,000 | $2,500/$5,000 | No | Yes |
| Miscellaneous equipment also covered? | $5,000/$10,000 | No | Yes | Yes |
| Offered as an endorsement to general liability insurance? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Deductible | $500 | $500 | $0 | $0 |
Tools and equipment insurance is an important pickup for art therapy businesses. Since the business model revolves around providing clients with art material, you will want to ensure you can cover any costs of them getting damaged or stolen. Some examples of times you will be thankful to have this policy include:
Art supplies get broken due to mishandling
Fire or any other disaster causes art tools to get damaged
You accidentally damaged tools and equipment during a maintenance routine
Any damage to tools due to your own negligence would not be covered by this type of insurance. Typically only events like vandalism and theft are covered. Tools and equipment insurance covers your equipment even when not on your commercial property, making it ideal for art therapists who operate in other places like schools, clients’ houses, and hospitals.
Any art tool or equipment that costs less than $1,500 is generally easily replaced. You may need to increase your coverage limit if you have many tools over that amount.
| Cost per Month | Cost per Year | Deductible | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General liability insurance | $45 | $540 | $0-$500 |
| Professional liability insurance | $90 | $1,080 | $500-$1,000 |
| Commercial property insurance | $134 | $1,608 | $1,000-$2,000 |
| Business owner's policy | $170 | $2,040 | $1,500 |
| Tools and equipment insurance | $55 | $660 | $500-$1,000 |
The average art therapy insurance cost is $45 per month or $540 per year for a $1 million general liability coverage. However, the premium you pay each month will depend on the amount of coverage you need, the risks of where you practice, and the costs of your equipment. Below is a price comparison of some of the best art therapy insurers:
| Cost per Month | Cost per Year | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEXT | $20 | $240 | Best overall; Fastest general liability insurance for art therapists |
| The Hartford | $25 | $300 | Art therapists with specialized risks |
| Hiscox | $30 | $360 | Art therapy insurance with 14-day money back guarantee |
| Thimble | $34 | $408 | First-time buyers |
| CoverWallet | $41 | $492 | Comparing art therapy insurance quotes online |
| Tivly | $45 | $540 | Comparing art therapy insurance quotes over the phone |
Get all the best quotes from leading providers in a click of a button!
The best art therapist insurance companies offer a suite of different policies that cover things like client damages, professional liabilities, and lawsuits on the job. See our reviews of these companies below.
Best overall
Issues an online proof of insurance instantly
Fastest general liability insurance for art therapists
Great customer service and reputation
Excellent rates
Outstanding value for money
Get a 10% discount if you buy two or more policies
Couldn’t find any
NEXT has a one-stop shop for therapists that makes them an attractive option thanks to the lower price. The company offers general liability, professional liability, commercial property, business owner’s policy, and tools & equipment insurance. These options cover the basics of what an art therapist needs to thrive in the industry.
This company has an impressive A- (excellent) rating from AM Best as well as a B+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. These ratings mean they have strong financial backing and an excellent customer satisfaction rate. They have 10% bundle discounts for art therapists who want to protect against any missed gaps in their coverage.
Best for: Best overall; Fastest general liability insurance for art therapists
Average cost: $20 per month
Our rating: 10/10
Small business-focused
Experience with tailoring policies based on your needs
Fast to handle claims
Quick to resolve disputes
Certain policies not available in some states
The Hartford is an insurance leader that offers policies that art therapists will appreciate. They have policy options for commercial property, general liability, professional liability, business owner’s property, and more. Art therapists will find that these policies offer adequate coverage for their business needs.
A great thing about The Hartford is their level of experience. They have been devoted to small business coverage for 30 years and have over 200 years of experience in the business. They were rated one of 2022’s most ethical companies by Ethisphere and have an A+ rating from AM Best. Their BBB rating is noteworthy as well, having earned an A+.
Best for: Art therapists with specialized risks
Average cost: $25 per month
Our rating: 10/10
Industry experts
Shop quotes with no commitments
Compare art therapy insurance quotes online with one click of a button
HNOA coverage automatically included in general liability insurance
Not an insurance company but an insurance broker
CoverWallet is an online marketplace for all your insurance policies. As the name suggests, they have a dashboard that acts like your insurance wallet. They offer essential components for art therapists like general liability, professional liability, commercial property, tools & equipment insurance, and many more.
BBB gave CoverWallet an A+ rating due to its high level of customer satisfaction. The company operates in 48 different states, where they serve over 10,000 customers every year. They are an excellent option for art therapists to get connected with excellent insurance partners.
Best for: Comparing art therapy insurance quotes online
Average cost: $41 per month
Our rating: 10/10
Over 200 partners
Quick to answer to queries
Compare quotes over the phone
No online quotes
Tivly offers insurance solutions for art therapists with critical coverage options like business owner’s policy, commercial property, general liability, and professional liability. This company has a huge selection of partners you can get coverage from, including The Hartford. Call now to compare quotes over the phone.
Tivly has an A rating from the BBB, making them a reliable pick for an art therapist. They don’t write policies but rather connect you with those that do. They have over 20 years of experience and are primarily online and digitally focused.
Best for: Comparing art therapy insurance quotes over the phone
Average cost: $45 per month
Our rating: 10/10
Easy-to-use app
Online resources for first-time buyers
Short-term coverage available
Quick to issue an estimate of your rates
Not as many add-ons compared to other companies
Thimble offers artistic insurance packages that can be perfect for art therapists. They cover general liability, professional liability, business owner's policy, property insurance, and business equipment insurance. The company understands that art is a passion, so they offer legal options to help protect your business from unforced errors.
The insurance company Thimble is well established. It has an A (excellent) rating from AM Best as well as an A+ rating from the BBB. They boast that 75% of their business is from first-time insurance buyers. This is thanks to their business experience catering to them through online resources and excellent customer service. They have experience with over 300 professions, meaning that art therapists have less explaining to do than with other companies.
Best for: First-time buyers
Average cost: $34 per month
Our rating: 10/10
Personalized policy
Agents have therapist experience
14-day money-back guarantee
Worldwide coverage
Doesn’t operate in Alaska
Hiscox has agents with deep experience with therapist insurance. They offer insurance packages for therapists of all types and work with you to craft a personalized policy. They offer policy options like general liability, business owner’s policy, and professional liability. Their policies have customizable limits and deductibles that ensure art therapists only pay for what they need.
Hiscox has a 14-day refund policy that takes the stress out of purchasing insurance. They have an A rating from AM Best and an A- from BBB. Their claim specialists have a quick response time, promising to return your call within a day. That same promise extends to their claim process as well. Their small business focus makes them an excellent pick for art therapists who generally don’t have a lot of employees.
Best for: Art therapy insurance with 14-day money back guarantee
Average cost: $30 per month
Our rating: 10/10
Use anyone except Employers. Period. They are non-transparent and shameful. After I complained long enough to warrant a call from a supervisor, the supervisor called back from a PRIVATE NUMBER (no caller ID), left a message that they are not reversing their decision (without any communication with me), and failed to leave a phone number for me to call back. She was hiding! They also fact find via email and phone calls, which is terrific for speed and communication. However, after setting a precedence of email or phone calls, they send time sensitive information via email, without any heads up... they are hoping you miss it and forfeit via expiration. Evil policies. Go elsewhere.
This place is an absolute joke of a company and should be ashamed of the way they conduct business. I was hurt on the job at the end of July and it took them just shy of 7 weeks to issue out a paycheck to me. Yes the amount was back dated but still. Not many have the luxury of not receiving a paycheck for almost 2 months. To top it all off, the original adjuster marked me down for the wrong state which caused a problem from the get go, I've had 3 different adjusters now since each one can't seem to figure out the simplicity of my claim. All my paperwork which includes, my job, house, and drs visits all are from the same state and city but yet some how I have been filed under a completely different state 1500 miles away. They do not answer your phone calls or emails no matter how many you leave. I've had to escalate my frustrations to the supervisors of each of these individuals in order to even get some kind of response. I've had more communication and information given to me about my claim from the customer service representatives then the actual adjusters.......... please tell me how that works?! A serious overhaul needs to happen here in order to serve your clients the way they deserve to be taken care of. 10/10 do not recommend this company to a single soul on earth
I have never had the displeasure of working with a more incompetent and disrespectful person in my life. I’m an injured worker and the adjuster that was assigned to my case was named Carrie Furgeson. In the past 6 weeks that I’ve been injured and out of work I have only been able to get ahold of her twice, not for lack of trying. I have left countless voicemails, countless emails, and she ignores them all. When I am finally able to get ahold of her I’m greeted with terrible customer service. She is rude, she talks over me and I’m hardly able to get a word in edgewise. She spelled my name wrong on my documents even after I spelled it for her properly countless times, this caused a whole new issue with my bank. I have bill collectors from the hospital calling me demanding payment and Carrie Furgeson won’t do a single thing to help, or to get them paid. All of my documentation is in Colorado, my job is in Colorado, my address is in Colorado, all my Dr offices and appointments have been in Colorado and Carrie still managed to hold my claim because she wasn’t sure what state she needed to file it under. It’s been 6 weeks since my Injury and my company still hasn’t received the wage paperwork to fill out so they can get me my correct wages. When she’s not ignoring me she’s answering my questions with “I don’t know” well I don’t know how she got this job, because apparently she doesn’t know anything about it. She is a disgusting morose individual inside and out and I genuinely wish her the worst in all of her future endeavors. I highly recommend you don’t use this company. Please if you are a business owner and your looking into this company please don’t use them. I’m sure they have the cheapest payment and that’s why companies use them in the first place, but you will be doing your employees a grave disservice by forcing them to venture into this absolute dumpster fire of a company. I would rate 0/5 if possible but 1 was the lowest I was allowed.
Their general liability insurance purchase process is simply the best online experience I've ever had in my life!
As long as they cover your line of business, you're literally covered! best rates, best coverage, best online experience, best professionals, can't be happier that I chose them!
Not all those who wander are lost.
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