This is general information, not insurance advice. Coverage, requirements, and prices vary by insurer, what you sell, and the event. Always confirm what a specific show requires with its organizer, and confirm what a policy covers with the insurer before you buy.Last reviewed: June 2026
Many craft shows require vendors to carry general liability insurance and hand over a certificate of insurance before the event, so for a lot of sellers it is not optional. Your homeowner's policy almost certainly will not cover selling. You can buy coverage for a single show or by the year, it often costs under $100 per event, and the premium is tax deductible.
Two reasons vendors carry insurance. First, the show often requires it: organizers and venues frequently make general liability coverage a condition of having a booth, and they ask for proof before you set up. Second, the risk is real even when no one requires it. A customer can trip over your display, a gust can send your tent into the next booth, or something you sold can cause harm. Without coverage, those claims come out of your own pocket.
If you do one or two shows a year, a per-event policy covering a single show is usually the cheapest route. If you sell often, an annual vendor policy almost always costs less per show and lets you pull a certificate of insurance any time an organizer asks. As a rough rule, once you are doing more than a handful of shows a year, the annual policy wins.
Your homeowner's or renter's policy generally will not help here, because those policies exclude business activity. Treat vendor coverage as a separate purchase.
If you sell food, make sure product liability specifically covers food, where the risk is illness or an allergic reaction. Some insurers focus on food and concession vendors. Selling homemade food also has its own permit and labeling rules, which we cover in the state cottage food law guides.
Price depends on your coverage limits, what you sell, and your sales volume. Single-event policies are often under $100, and annual vendor policies commonly run a few hundred dollars a year. Whatever you pay, the premium is an ordinary business expense, so it is deductible. See our craft business tax deductions guide for the rest of what vendors can write off.
Often yes. Many shows and venues require vendors to carry general liability insurance and to provide a certificate of insurance before the event. Even when a show does not require it, insurance protects you if your booth, tent, or product causes injury or damage, which you would otherwise pay for out of pocket.
Two things usually matter for vendors. General liability covers third-party bodily injury or property damage, such as a customer tripping on your display or your tent blowing into a neighbor's booth. Product liability covers harm caused by something you made or sold, like a candle that starts a fire or a soap that causes a reaction. Vendor policies often bundle both.
A COI is a one-page proof of coverage that organizers ask for before the show. Many also ask to be listed as an 'additional insured,' which extends your policy to the event host. Insurers issue COIs quickly, often instantly online, once you have a policy.
Usually not. Most homeowner's and renter's policies exclude business activities, so selling at a show generally is not covered. Confirm with your insurer, but plan on a separate business or vendor policy.
If you do only a show or two a year, a per-event policy (coverage for a single show) is usually cheapest. If you sell regularly, an annual vendor policy almost always costs less per show and lets you generate certificates of insurance whenever an organizer asks.
It varies by coverage limits, what you sell, and your sales volume, but single-event policies are often under $100 and annual vendor policies commonly run a few hundred dollars a year. Get a quote from a vendor-focused insurer for an exact figure.
Food sellers should make sure product liability covers food specifically, since the risk is illness or an allergic reaction. Some insurers specialize in food and concession vendors. If you sell homemade food, also check your state's cottage food rules in our state guides.
Yes. Business insurance premiums are an ordinary, necessary business expense and are deductible on Schedule C. See our craft business tax deductions guide for the full list of what vendors can write off.
A few insurers focus on craft, art, and food vendors and can issue a certificate of insurance online. Compare quotes; this is not an endorsement.
More vendor resources are in our supplier directory.
Sort your state permit and sales tax rules, then browse upcoming craft fairs with booth fees and deadlines.
Last reviewed: June 2026. Requirements and prices change, so confirm with the insurer and the show. Spotted something out of date?