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house sales and insurance

updated sat 13 feb 99

 

Chris Mew on thu 4 feb 99

Hi everybody:
I an new to Clayart so I hope my questions won't seem too "green".
Actually, this is more my husband's question. Many people in our area
do house sales around Christmas. They sell a variety of arts and crafts
from pottery to painting to paper mache. They are very popular because
instead of going to the mall around Christmas time (a horror in the
city), they prefer shopping in someone's home for homemade gifts. These
sales usually only occur a few times a year. My question is does anyone
who does this out of their homes worry about insurance, eg. if someone
falls etc. A horrible subject but I guess one that needs to be
addressed in any business ?

I would appreciate any input anyone has.

Chris

p.s. I am a stay-at-home mom and potter so I have been really enjoying
Clayart discussions. It keeps me sane !

Cathy Harris on thu 4 feb 99

Hi,
I have had sales out of my house and at different shows. I do have
additional business insurance, just for that purpose. If someone falls,
entering your home, it might be covered under your basic house insurance,
but if you have sale on at the time, that changes things. My business
insurance covers me up to 5M$ and is only about $10/month on top of our
house insurance. It also covers the kilns, wheels, etc, in the event of
fire - if someone cuts themselves after breaking a piece of mine and sues
(I can't imagine anybody doing that - but the insurance man has obviously
heard of that!). It might be worth the piece of mind.
If you want more details, I'll be happy to provide them to you.
Cathy
Potter's Pleasure
c.harris@aci.on.ca

----------
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Hi everybody:
> I an new to Clayart so I hope my questions won't seem too "green".
> Actually, this is more my husband's question. Many people in our area
> do house sales around Christmas. They sell a variety of arts and crafts
> from pottery to painting to paper mache. They are very popular because
> instead of going to the mall around Christmas time (a horror in the
> city), they prefer shopping in someone's home for homemade gifts. These
> sales usually only occur a few times a year. My question is does anyone
> who does this out of their homes worry about insurance, eg. if someone
> falls etc. A horrible subject but I guess one that needs to be
> addressed in any business ?
>
> I would appreciate any input anyone has.
>
> Chris
>
> p.s. I am a stay-at-home mom and potter so I have been really enjoying
> Clayart discussions. It keeps me sane !
>

Kathi LeSueur on fri 5 feb 99


In a message dated 2/4/99 7:43:40 AM, you wrote:

>My question is does anyone
>who does this out of their homes worry about insurance, eg. if someone
>falls etc.

You should always worry about liability when a customer comes into your home.
If your insurance doesn't cover a business related activity then you will be
left to pay the bill. The only way to know is to ask your agent. Make clear
that it is not your normal practice to sell from your home, that this is a one
time event. It only cost a few dollars to upgrade your liability limits to a
million or over. In today's litigeous society. A million of liability is the
minimum you should have on your home whether you have customers in or not.

Kathi

Susan Anderson on wed 10 feb 99

It's is too bad we have to think about these things, but...

Because I am preparing to open my studio to the public for the first time this
coming spring, I had to explore the dark area of insurance myself. Basically,
I wound up with a "rider" on our house insurance to cover "slip & fall."
Because of the business aspect, my house insurance would not cover such
liability without the additional rider for "business use." It wasn't terribly
expensive (about $50), and is certainly worth the peace of mind. Yes, there
are true horror stories about people falling down in your driveway on the way
in or out of the studio and suing. This will cover me for the occasional house
sale.

Rates vary I'm sure accross the country; this is Massachusetts. It may be even
cheaper where you are. Check with your agent. I hope this gives you a ball
park figure to work from.

While I'm here, let me invite those in the greater Boston Area to Needham's
first
annual

Open Studio Tour
Saturday, April 24, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday, April 25, noon to 4 p.m.

e-mail me for location(s)
and/or--
visit my website: Claygarden Studio @

http://members.aol.com/claygardn/main.html

Here's hoping spring is as mild as this New England winter has been so far...

Gayle Bair on thu 11 feb 99

Susan,
I just got an endorsement added to my homeowner's policy
for $124 for the entire year. This covers
contents and liability for my home based business.
I hope this is a reasonable fee.
I live near Boulder, Colorado. Now I don't have to be unduly
concerned if I have a home show or teach students out of my studio
or have a kiln meltdown etc. etc.
I'm curious what other people are paying.
Gayle Bair
gaylebair@earthlink.net

-----Original Message-----
From: Susan Anderson [SMTP:ClayGardn@aol.com]
Sent: Wednesday, February 10, 1999 6:42 AM
To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
Subject: Re: House sales and Insurance

----------------------------Original message----------------------------
It's is too bad we have to think about these things, but...

Because I am preparing to open my studio to the public for the first time this
coming spring, I had to explore the dark area of insurance myself. Basically,
I wound up with a "rider" on our house insurance to cover "slip & fall."
Because of the business aspect, my house insurance would not cover such
liability without the additional rider for "business use." It wasn't terribly
expensive (about $50), and is certainly worth the peace of mind. Yes, there
are true horror stories about people falling down in your driveway on the way
in or out of the studio and suing. This will cover me for the occasional house
sale.

Rates vary I'm sure accross the country; this is Massachusetts. It may be even
cheaper where you are. Check with your agent. I hope this gives you a ball
park figure to work from.

Liisa Reid on fri 12 feb 99

What do those of you who have (rented) studios separate from your (rented)
house do about insurance?
Liisa
reidpots@together.net

>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Susan,
>I just got an endorsement added to my homeowner's policy
> for $124 for the entire year. This covers
>contents and liability for my home based business.
>I hope this is a reasonable fee.