When most people hear the word artisan, they think about artists. The first artisans that come to most people’s minds are painters, sculptors, custom cabinet markers, or even artisan chefs and bakers. Although many of these fields qualify as artisan businesses, there is actually a very wide range of different businesses that qualify as artisans (which we’ll discuss below). 

As an artisan, you may need a business insurance policy that reflects the specialized nature of the services you provide. Since artisan services tend to be more specialized, they often incur slightly higher risks and may require a higher degree of coverage. 

In this article, we’re going to take an in-depth look at artisans’ insurance. First, we’ll define what type of businesses can be categorized as artisans, explain what an artisan insurance policy is and how it works. Then, we’ll show you a few of the most common categories of artisan insurance and give you some numbers on what you can expect to pay for artisan insurance, depending on the services that you and your small business provide. 

What is an Artisan Insurance Policy? 

The legal definition of an artisan is actually quite broad. That being said, let’s take a second to define it. 

By definition, an artisan is an individual or business that provides a service designed to improve the performance of a certain aspect. This means that artisan services are designed to go above and beyond what is provided by a normal technician or similar service. 

For example, a maintenance technician who performs small repairs around residential houses would be fine with a standard handyman insurance policy. However, if you provide custom cabinetry, build fancy bathrooms, kitchens, or provide another specialty service, then you would likely need to purchase an artisan insurance policy. 

In this example, the expert finish carpenter would be applying many of the same skills and using similar tools as the handyman. However, the artisan likely charges a lot more for their services and would be using more expensive, higher-quality materials. As such, the financial risk is greater for the carpenter than it is for the basic handyman making quick fixes.

Artisan Liability Insurance

Almost all artisan insurance policies are centered around a general liability or professional liability insurance policy. These types of policies are designed to prevent the artisan from being held financially liable in the event of accidental property damage or client injury (general liability insurance), or claims against their professionalism, quality of service, or marketing tactics (professional liability insurance). 

Do All Artisans Need Artisan Insurance? 

If you’re a licensed artisan who is providing a service to other individuals or businesses, then you should have an artisan insurance policy. These days, there’s no telling who will sue you and what they’ll try to sue you for. If and when that day comes, your insurance policy can stand to save you tens of thousands of dollars (and even more) in potential legal fees and reparations. 

Now, you may be asking, “What if I just make candles or other handmade crafts? Do I still need artisan insurance?” The answer is yes - even as a candle maker or crafter, you’ll still need to purchase handmade artisan insurance designed for your candle-making or soap-making business.

To keep it short and simple - if you’re selling artisan products or providing artisan services, then you need artisan insurance. Even if you don’t purchase coverage for yourself (which you should), having an insurance policy will give clients a greater degree of confidence in your services, which will allow you to charge more and acquire more clients. 

Now, let’s take a few minutes to go over some of the more common categories of artisan insurance that you may come across while shopping. 

Marine Artisan Insurance

Marine artisan insurance is a type of liability policy designed to cover marine artisans who repair or improve boats and other watercraft. For the most part, artisan insurance is affordable. However, you may find that marine artisan insurance is slightly more expensive. This is due to the fact that boats can be expensive, which means there’s a higher degree of financial risk associated with working on them. 

Learn more about commercial marine insurance

Artisan Contractor Insurance

Artisan contractors insurance is coverage for any contracting businesses that provide a specialized artisan service. Examples could include (but aren’t limited to):

• Custom cabinet builders. 

• Custom landscapers or hardscapers. 

• Mosaic artists or custom tile. 

• Custom deck builders. 

• Custom audio and speaker installation.

• Specialty lighting technicians or installers. 

As an artisan contractor, you’re providing a service that goes above and beyond what a normal handyman, construction, electrician, lawn care, plumbing or roofing company would normally take care of. Most artisan contractor insurance policies include general liability coverage, professional liability coverage, or both. 

Learn more about contractor insurance

Artisan Use in Auto Insurance

If you hold a commercial auto insurance policy for a company vehicle, you may have realized that your policy charges slightly extra for ‘artisan use.’ Although the extra coverage is typically only incrementally more expensive, this extra coverage is designed to cover the fact that you’re transporting specialty tools and materials for work (which often cost the insurer more to replace in the event of an accident).

Learn more about car insurance

Artisan Insurance Cost

With so many different types of artisans, you may be wondering how much artisan insurance costs. The amount you’ll pay for insurance coverage depends almost entirely on the type of artisan service that you provide. Greater levels of financial or physical risk correspond to more expensive premiums. 

To help you figure out how much you’ll need to set aside for your artisan business insurance, we’ve put together a table with some ballpark figures that you can expect to pay on general liability insurance for different types of artisan businesses. Let’s take a look! 

How to Get an Affordable Artisan and Service Contractor Policy

If you want to get an affordable artisan and service contractor policy, the best thing you can do is to shop around and compare artisan insurance quotes from competing insurance companies. Rates can vary heavily from one state to another, and you never know when a certain insurance provider is offering special entry rates or deals to new clients. 

To compare your artisan insurance quotes today and get cheap, reliable coverage, click the ‘Get Quotes’ button below! All you need to do is follow the process, enter some preliminary information on your business and you’ll be presented with offers from some of the best artisan insurance companies and coverage options in the market and be able to find a policy that fit your commercial needs and your budget!