Home-Based Business

A home-based business policy might be a sound option for coverage if your studio is in your home. Many homeowner’s policies exclude coverage of an in-house art studio. And while an artist’s rider might be available as an addendum to an already-existing homeowner’s policy, your studio coverage might be excluded, depending on the production methods you use -- for example, a blowtorch for handmade glass beads -- or whether you offer classes.

Consistent sales of your artwork, or operation of an official small business in your space, might void the homeowner’s policy, as the insurance company views these as commercial activities occurring in a residential space. In these scenarios, a home-based business policy might be necessary. Each insurance provider determines which businesses are covered under their policies. Businesses might include consulting practices, interior design, real estate, small-scale manufacturing, arts and crafts, etc. In addition, these policies also provide some level of property and liability coverage.

You might need to supplement your policy with additional, specialized policies. Look into a home-based policy if you know you will be running commercial activities out of your home, as they are considerably cheaper than commercial liability policies.