Commercial Liability Insurance
Why Do Farmers Markets & Vendors Need Insurance?
As the popularity of farmers markets continues to grow - there are approximately 6,132 markets in 2010 - farmers market associations and market managers are starting to insist that all participants have a commercial general liability insurance policy.
The 2006 USDA survey of farmers markets contained several reasons why:
- The average number of vendors at individual farmers markets nationwide in 2005 was 31.
- The average number of customers reported at all farmers markets was 959 per week.
- More than two-thirds of surveyed markets operate in temporary facilities.
The large amount of activity generated by vendors and customers operating inside of temporary facilities creates a risk that farmers markets must insure. And most do.
The same survey also showed the following fact:
- Most farm vendors earned $5,000 or less each from sales at their markets in 2005.
Farmers are like any other business persons. When faced with a fixed cost like insurance, they try to reduce costs by working with an expert. That's where we come in.
OUR COVERAGE
Farmers market insurance coverage is very specialized and may not be available from just any agent in the country. Many agents do not understand this market and the relationships between the associations, markets, and vendors.
Our farmers market liability program provides associations, markets, and vendor (farmers) with the following coverages:
Commercial general liability insurance provides an adequate layer of protection to the market, the property owner and the market sponsors in the event of a lawsuit. In addition, this program will extend coverage to include multiple locations under the same market organization, by sharing the coverage limits between the locations.
ADDITIONAL INSUREDS (Free)
Most often, the organizer and market itself will want to verify that the vendor (farmer) has insurance to cover the vendor while on site, but they also want to have their own certificate of insurance showing they are listed as an additional insured on the policy. This is not automatic on most event policies, and some companies charge an additional fee, since an additional certificate will have to be generated.
We provide this service to you for free!
SOME GOOD ADVICE
- Pay particular attention to housekeeping issues around your booth.
- Make sure that you do not have trip and fall hazards that could cause a third party to suffer an accident that can be attributed to you.
- Keep all of your supplies, produce, boxes, etc., out of the walkway around your booth area.
- Make sure that your shelfs, etc., are well constructed and safe.
- Exposed electrical cords should be taped to the floor so they are not loose and cause someone to trip.
Remember these few recommendations so you can concentrate on sales and make the markets you sell at enjoyable and profitable.