Public liability insurance could be the most important cover an Artist, Maker, Art Professional and Creative Freelancers has. Our simple guide looks at the main features and pitfalls.

What is public liability insurance?

Despite all your best efforts to eliminate risk from your public activities, accidents can still happen! If your art activities injure a member of the public, a client or contractor or if they result in any property damage, you could face a hefty legal or compensation bill. Public liability protects you from these sorts of costs if a mishap occurs.

What does this mean in simple terms?

When undertaking any Art activity, it’s your responsibility to provide a safe environment for the public.

Do I need Public Liability Insurance?

Almost every Artist and Art Professional operating on a freelance basis should have some form of Public Liability Insurance because despite all the best precautions accidents can and will happen.

Ask yourself do you work in complete isolation? Do you show work publicly, do you invite people into your studio (even at home), do you deliver workshops or events do you visit clients premises or have access to their equipment? It’s worth considering Public Liability Cover because if you damage someone else’s property you are liable.

How does Public Liability Insurance Cover Protect?

If a visitor, client or any third party person damages a possession or suffers some kind of loss or injury as a result of your Art activities, you would want to be sure that you can provide compensation to make up for that.

You have a duty of care to make sure members of the public are safe as possible, this includes risk assessments and health and safety checks. If an incident for which you were liable happens regardless, against all your precautions you risk the public’s health and your livelihood by not being adequately covered.

Is public liability insurance a legal requirement?

Choosing not to have public liability insurance will not land you with a jail sentence or a hefty fine. But having the right insurance can make you look more professional and offer you peace of mind. You don’t want to get into a spat with one of your best clients over the consequences of an accident or damage to one of their properties. Getting a public liability policy means you can let your insurer deal with any problems, while you get on with your art practice.

How much does public liability insurance cost?

For more details about all of this don't miss to attend Bongo Artists Summit, where you can talk directly to expert and get different costs from different partners and sponsors of this event.