Permanent jewelry has exploded in popularity—shoppers love the idea of a clasp-free bracelet or anklet that’s custom fit and soldered right on at craft fairs, pop-up events, and boutiques. But if you’re running a permanent jewelry business, whether it’s out of your home, at vendor fairs, or even online, there’s one thing you can’t afford to overlook:
business insurance.
Let’s break down what coverage looks like for a permanent jewelry vendor, so you can protect your business, your customers, and yourself.
General Liability Insurance: Your Foundation
General Liability (GL) is usually the first coverage a small business should carry. Why? Because it protects you if:
- A customer trips over your booth setup and gets injured.
- Someone claims your business damaged their property.
- You’re faced with legal fees after an accident at an event.
For vendors at craft fairs or pop-ups, organizers often require proof of general liability before you can even set up. If you’re running your jewelry business from home, your homeowner’s insurance usually
won’t cover business activities—so you’ll want a separate GL policy designed for small businesses.
Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) vs. Stand-Alone GL
A
Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) bundles General Liability with
Commercial Property coverage. If you own tools, supplies, or inventory, a BOP may give you the best value because it covers both liability and your business property (like your soldering equipment or displays).
If you’re not ready for a BOP, you can still purchase stand-alone General Liability. But remember, that won’t protect your equipment or materials if they’re stolen, lost, or damaged.
Inland Marine Insurance for Tools & Inventory
“Marine” might sound odd for jewelry—but inland marine coverage is a flexible policy that covers your business property when it’s
off-site or in transit. For example:
- Your soldering kit gets damaged while traveling to a craft fair.
- Your display setup is stolen from your car.
Inland marine floaters are especially useful for vendors and home-based businesses that don’t have a traditional storefront but rely on mobile tools of the trade.
Workers’ Compensation: If You Hire Help
Even if you start solo, as soon as you bring on employees—whether they’re helping you with soldering, customer sales, or online orders—many states legally require
workers’ comp insurance. This covers medical expenses and lost wages if an employee is injured while working.
Cyber Insurance: For Selling Online
Permanent jewelry vendors often branch into online sales—selling custom pieces, chains, or gift cards. Anytime you take payments online, you’re at risk of cyberattacks, data breaches, or fraudulent transactions.
Cyber insurance helps cover recovery costs and protects your customers’ data.
Business Interruption Insurance
What happens if a fire, storm, or other covered event makes it impossible to run your business? Business Interruption insurance can replace lost income and help cover expenses while you get back on your feet. For small businesses that depend on events or a physical workspace, this can make the difference between reopening or closing permanently.
Product Liability Insurance
Because permanent jewelry involves soldering and skin contact, there’s always a chance of an allergic reaction, burn, or claim of defective products.
Product liability coverage steps in if a customer claims your product caused injury or harm. This is critical protection for anyone making and selling physical goods.
The Bottom Line
Running a permanent jewelry business is exciting and rewarding—but it comes with risks you shouldn’t ignore. With the right mix of
General Liability, BOP or stand-alone property coverage, inland marine, workers’ comp, cyber insurance, business interruption, and product liability, you’ll have a safety net strong enough to protect your passion.
At
Emerald Insurance Advocates, we understand how unique small businesses like yours are. Whether you’re soldering at craft fairs, shipping from your home, or building an online storefront, we can build a policy that fits.
