As a stall holder, your business might be your main income source, a side hustle, or even a passion project. But one unfortunate incident leading to legal fees and costly compensation is probably the last thing you can afford. Holding insurance for your stall should be high up on your list of things to think about before you set up shop. Below, we outline insurance options for stall holders, why you might need it, and what it covers.

If you run a not-for-profit business, you possibly might already hold other forms of insurance for your organisation. However, cover under your policy may not necessarily extend to when you hold a stall at external events. If you do turn up to your event without adequate insurance, and something goes wrong, you could be looking at substantial out of pocket costs. For example, you might erect a sign or banner incorrectly, causing the sign or banner to snap and injure a customer. Or you might sell a product without appropriate labelling, leading to a customer experiencing an adverse reaction. While these types of incidents may seem rare, if they occur, the financial impacts of defence costs and potential compensation can take a severe financial toll on your business.

Public Liability Insurance

Public Liability Insurance is one of the most important covers you may need to consider for your stall. It is designed to help cover you if you’re held accountable for injury to someone, or damage to their property. In such instances, a Public Liability policy would typically cover the legal fees you might incur in defending yourself, as well as any compensation you might be required to pay. The organisers of the event/market you’re holding your stall at may even require you to hold Public Liability Insurance before they allow you to participate.

Products Liability Insurance

This is another cover available for stallholders, and it applicable to businesses involved in the sale, supply or manufacturing of products. It is designed to cover you if you’re held liable for injury or property damage as a result of products your business sells, manufactures or supplies. Products Liability is generally sold as part of a Public Liability policy, however its important to also not assume that all Public Liability policies do include this, and check with a broker or insurer beforehand.

In addition to the insurances listed above, you may need to consider Volunteer Workers’ Personal Accident insurance, particularly if your event has volunteers on site.

Stall holder Insurance arranged by Aon may be able to cover the following types of stalls:

• Food and Beverage (excluding food vans and alcohol)
• Arts & Crafts
• Novelties
• Clothing & Accessories
• Temporary Tattoos
• Books
• Videos, DVD's & CD's
• Souvenirs
• Produce
• Exhibiting (marketing only)
• Trash & Treasure

As a stall holder, come market day, you’ll no doubt have enough on your plate, and a slight oversight on your part is very much a possibility. If you do experience an unexpected incident, having insurance can sometimes be the difference between you going out of business and staying afloat. Stall holder’s Insurance arranged through Aon has been designed to suit the specific risks you may face in organising a stall, and combines Public Liability and Product Liability under one policy. To learn more about stall holder’s Insurance through Aon, contact our team or get a quote online.