Any suggestions on obtaining general liability insurance? I bake out of my home in Pennsylvania, not a business just cottage foods. I usually sell cupcakes at a large fall festival and they are requiring proof of a $1,000,000.00 liability policy. Sounds like a good idea all the way around but I don't even know where to begin.
I would try FLIP. I have them and they offer such a policy and you can add insureds when needed. https://www.fliprogram.com/
Singerssoul ~ Can I ask where you are located and how much you pay for liability insurance? Not sure what a fair price is for L.I.... Thank you.
When I discovered my county allowed baking from home, I contacted insurance agents. I guess they decided not to call me when discovered they don't h ave a policy to sell me. Another cake told me she is insured through flip
I have mine through my homeowners insurance. Although, when my insurance agent contacted my homeowners, they said no way and we are not going to insure them at all because they are at higher risk for fire. Yep, they dumped me because I bake a few cakes a week and I may set the house on fire. Soooo, my agent had to call around and did find a really good company that was willing to do it. It's about $45 a year added to my regular homeowners.
If/when I need a certificate for a venue, my agent takes care of it.
The insurance through FLIP ran me $299 for a year. It is super simple to add an insured if needed, works great!
Contact your insurance agent. If you don't have one, contact one who specializes in commercial insurance AND/OR represents multi-companies (i.e. NOT a state-farm agent, for example, who only represents state farm). Those will access to multiple companies can find what you are looking for. I was so lucky that my agent was the only Indiana agent that represented an ins. co. that specialized in bakery coverage! I never would have found them on my own (and they wouldn't sell direct to me anyway ... they sell thru agent.)
The FLIP sounds good, although I'm afraid to start asking questions. Need to thoroughly read through my homeowners' policy, don't want dropped. I live in Pennsylvania and found out that if I own a pet, regardless of where they are/are not permitted in the home, I cannot be certified. Need to find out if I can be insured through FLIP as an individual, not a business. Also, any suggestions for finding a kitchen to rent? Churches, schools, etc? Any idea of a fair cost?
Quote by @1haleyj on 42 minutes ago
The FLIP sounds good, although I'm afraid to start asking questions. Need to thoroughly read through my homeowners' policy, don't want dropped. I live in Pennsylvania and found out that if I own a pet, regardless of where they are/are not permitted in the home, I cannot be certified. Need to find out if I can be insured through FLIP as an individual, not a business. Also, any suggestions for finding a kitchen to rent? Churches, schools, etc? Any idea of a fair cost?
We tried to find a church or local business to rent their kitchen and it was impossible. I sure hope if you go that route you have better luck than we did. One thing I did to cut some work out for myself was called the health dept. and asked what churches were already licensed and inspected before I contacted any. I've heard of people having the opportunity to rent or use church kitchens but around here it doesn't happen :(
I think when it comes to a fair price I would first decide how many hours you'd be using it and check the current rent for local commercial spaces. Fair price is different from one city to the next and subject to personal opinions :)
I'm confused as to what you mean by "not a business, just cottage foods". What does your town require of you to sell baked goods out of your home?
For example, I live in MA, and we have cottage food laws here. However, my town requires that I am approved by the board of selectman (they issue me a license) and that my kitchen be inspected by the health inspector, etc etc. Even though I am in a cottage food law state, I cannot prepare and sell food out of my home (or at farmers markets, etc) without the above.
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