Business Insurance for Interior Designers

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Whether you’re creating serene residential spaces or designing inspiring commercial interiors, as an interior designer or decorator, your work involves a mix of creativity, hard work, and meticulous attention to detail. However, even with the best-laid plans, unexpected challenges can arise—damaged property or an accidental injury on-site.

This is where interior designer insurance comes into play. The right insurance coverage helps protect your business, giving you peace of mind to focus on designing stunning spaces. Below, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about business insurance for interior designers.

What Insurance Do I Need as an Interior Designer or Interior Decorator?

At the very least, interior designers and decorators need general liability insurance or a commercial general liability policy (CGL). Why? Because liability insurance helps protect you from third-party claims like property damage or bodily injury. For example, if a client trips over your tape measure during a site visit, your policy would help cover medical costs for any claims that could arise as a result of the incident.

Thimble offers Business Owner’s Packages which can give you even more important coverage by including a combination of the following coverages:

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General Liability Insurance

Essential for helping to protect against claims of bodily injury, property damage, or personal and advertising injury caused by your business operations.

For example, imagine you accidentally drop a new, expensive picture frame meant for a client project right on a client’s toe. General liability insurance helps cover resulting costs, including the client’s medical costs from the bodily injury, and the cost of the third-party property damage to the picture frame (when you purchase the Customer Property Protection optional coverage).

Professional Liability Insurance

Protects you in the event you make a mistake or an omission or fail to provide services that result in damages that cause a client’s financial loss. Also known as errors and omissions insurance (E&O), this helps protect you against claims arising from professional mistakes. Along with covering valid claims, a PL policy will help defend you against claims for damages that are false or frivolous.

Commercial Property Insurance

If you have a physical office or studio, this policy protects your space and the equipment inside it (e.g., computers, furniture, or design samples) from damage caused by events like fire or theft.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

If you have employees, most states require you to carry workers’ comp to cover workplace injuries. Not sure if your state requires workers compensation? Check your state’s requirements.

Cyber Insurance

Help protect your business from dangerous cyber threats (and resulting claims) that put sensitive client information stored digitally at risk. Learn more about how cyber insurance can help protect your small business.

By tailoring your policy to fit your specific needs with providers like Thimble, you can create a robust safety net for your design business.

Are Interior Designers Legally Required to Have Insurance?

Insurance requirements for interior designers vary by state and also vary by job. Some clients and projects may require you to carry certain types of coverage, such as General Liability insurance, before starting work. These requirements are typically clearly outlined in contracts and require proof of insurance in the form of a Certificate of Insurance or a COI.

Even when a job or client doesn’t require business insurance coverage, having insurance is highly recommended to minimize business impact from various risks. Without adequate protection, you could face out-of-pocket costs that you can’t afford in the event of an accident or incident.

What Does Business Insurance Cover for Interior Designers?

Business insurance for interior designers can offer a range of protections, depending on the policy type. Here’s a quick breakdown of Thimble’s most recommended coverages:

General Liability covers third-party claims like bodily injuries or property damage.
Professional Liability is coverage for errors or otherwise failing to provide professional services that result in financial loss to the client.
Commercial Property safeguards your office and equipment if they’re damaged or stolen.
Workers’ Compensation covers your employees’ lost wages or medical bills in the event of workplace injuries.
Cyber Insurance helps mitigate risks associated with data breaches or hacking.

Each of these coverages plays a vital role in ensuring the long-term success of your business.

How Much Does a $1,000,000 Liability Insurance Policy Cost for an Interior Decorator?

The cost of insurance always depends on a variety of factors, but for a $1,000,000 liability insurance policy for an interior designer, you could pay around $50 per month for general liability insurance (with no employees). Compared to the potential costs of legal or medical claims, this is a small price to pay for protection.

Factors that impact the cost include:

The size and revenue of your business
Your geographic location
The coverage limits you select

Because prices vary so widely, it’s recommended to get a personalized quote with Thimble to find out how affordable interior designer business insurance can be for you!

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Do Interior Decorators Need to provide a COI?

Yes, many clients and projects require a Certificate of Insurance (COI) to prove that you carry the necessary coverage. For instance, if you’re undertaking a commercial interior design project or collaborating with other contractors, you’ll likely need a COI. Without one, you could lose out on opportunities.

Fortunately, Thimble makes it easy to secure a COI right away.

Learn more about COIs and why they’re essential.

Do Interior Designers Need to Be Certified to Get Insurance?

With Thimble, certification is a requirement to purchase insurance for your interior design business. However, certifications like those from the Council for Interior Design Qualification (CIDQ) can boost your credibility and show clients that you adhere to professional standards.

Certifications can also help you secure certain commercial or government projects, making them a worthwhile investment.

Simplified Insurance for Interior Designers

Finding the best business insurance for interior designers doesn’t have to be complicated. With Thimble, you can customize your policy, obtain proof of insurance instantly, and adapt your coverage as your business grows.

Protect your designs, your reputation, and your peace of mind.

Get a quote now and focus on creating spaces that inspire.

Source

Council for Interior Design Qualification (CIDQ)

Quick-thinking insurance for fast-moving businesses.

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