Insurance requirements by buyer
Who asks sellers for insurance, and what they require
Marketplaces are not the only ones. Retailers, markets, trade shows, landlords, and distributors all require insurance and a Certificate of Insurance. Here is what each one asks for.
Insurance requirements for selling to retailers
Retailers almost always require vendors to carry general and product liability insurance and to name the store as additional insured before stocking their products. Limits of around $1,000,000 per occurrence are typical, with larger chains often asking for $2,000,000 aggregate or an umbrella. A Certificate of Insurance is how you prove it.
Read
Insurance requirements for craft fairs and markets
Most craft fairs, farmers markets, and pop-up markets require vendors to carry general and product liability insurance and to name the event or organizer as additional insured for the dates of the event. Limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence are standard, proven with a Certificate of Insurance before you set up.
Read
Insurance requirements for trade shows and expos
Trade shows and expos typically require exhibitors to carry general liability insurance, and product liability if you sample or sell goods, naming the venue and show organizer as additional insured for the event. Limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence are standard, proven with a Certificate of Insurance before move-in.
Read
Insurance requirements from a commercial landlord
Commercial landlords require tenants to carry general liability insurance and to name the landlord as additional insured as a condition of the lease. Sellers with a warehouse, studio, or office will see this in the lease, typically at $1,000,000 per occurrence, proven with a Certificate of Insurance.
Read
Insurance requirements for selling through distributors
Distributors and buying groups require the brands they carry to hold general and product liability insurance and to name the distributor as additional insured, often at higher limits than a single retailer because they move volume. A Certificate of Insurance with $1,000,000 to $2,000,000 in limits is common.
Read
Questions
FAQ.
Who requires online sellers to have insurance?+
Marketplaces like Amazon and Walmart above a threshold, plus retailers, wholesale buyers, distributors, craft fairs and markets, trade shows, and commercial landlords. Most require a Certificate of Insurance naming them as additional insured.
What limits do buyers usually require?+
$1,000,000 per occurrence is the common baseline, with larger retailers and distributors often asking for $2,000,000 aggregate or an umbrella. Each buyer sets its own terms in its vendor or lease agreement.
Meet any buyer's requirement.
Product and general liability with a Certificate of Insurance and the additional-insured wording your buyers ask for. Starts at $26/mo.
Get a free quote