posted
I know this has been hashed and rehashed but I didn't find what I was looking for in the archives. Does anyone have liabilty insurance for hanging signs. I'm a home based one operation and I'm looking to insure myself while installing signs. If you do have this who is your carrier and what does it cost you. I went to a local Insurance guy and was denied as he said the carrier will not cover any sign painters. Any information is greatly appreciated. Thanks!!
-------------------- Rob Larkham Rob Larkham Signs & Lettering 21 Middlefield Road Chester, MA. 01011
413-354-0287 Posts: 517 | From: Chester, MA | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
Rob this is my wife replying. Her name is Linda and has been in the Insurance Industry for over 25 years.
Heresssssssss Linda....
Hi Rob.... Stephen is also a home based business & only has a "home run" policy which limits the liability coverage. He's basically only covered for premises liability - if someone comes onto our home premises & is injured etc.... What you need is a CGL....Comprehensive General Liability policy which will cover your operations on premises as well as products liability & operations liability (off premises). Here in Canada, the minimum premium for an "off premises" liability policy is anywhere from $750. to $1,000. depending on your gross receipts. I can't imagine that your insurance agent advised that they don't have a market for insuring "sign painters". I suggest you call a couple of numbers in the yellow pages & ask for a Comprehensive General Liability Policy. It could be that the agent you deal with deals strictly in "personal Policies" and knows nothing about commercial policies. With a commercial policy, quite often included in the minimum premium you can get some coverage for equipment, tools etc.... Hope I've been of some help!!! Linda
-------------------- Stephen Deveau RavenGraphics Insinx Digital Displays
Letting Your Imagination Run Wild!
Posts: 4327 | From: Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000
| IP: Logged |
Thanks for the heads up. I will do a little more homework and ask the questions you spoke of. For eight years now I have been walking the tightrope with no insurance but think it is high time I do something, before it is to late. Thanks again.
Rob
-------------------- Rob Larkham Rob Larkham Signs & Lettering 21 Middlefield Road Chester, MA. 01011
413-354-0287
Posts: 517 | From: Chester, MA | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged |
I just got a quote on the exact insurance your talking about, $500,000 coverage while your on site, this covers weather you drop a sign on a cadilac, someone's head or the building...
the cost was quoted at about $1400 a year...
Hope that helps
Shawn
-------------------- Shawn Setzer Signs by Shawn 826 Hwy 47 East, Troy, MO
Posts: 241 | From: Troy, MO, USA | Registered: Jan 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
Find an agent who carrys CNA or Peerless insurance. CNA writes a standard policy specific to the sign industry, and the cost is based on your estimated gross receipts.
-------------------- "A wise man concerns himself with the truth, not with what people believe." - Aristotle
Cam Bortz Finest Kind Signs Pondside Iron works 256 S. Broad St. Pawcatuck, Ct. 06379 "Award winning Signs since 1988" Posts: 3051 | From: Pawcatuck,Connecticut USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
Rob, Ask about completed operations coverage (like Jean said) while you're at it. It's separate from general liability, and covers problems after you leave the scene. I got sued once for a sign I didn't even install, that fell and hurt someone. Law suits go for the deepest pocket, and will round up anyone remotely connected with the job even years down the road. Naturally, my completed operations was not in effect at the time the installation was subcontracted. Even though my home and 'tools of the trade' were protected under Florida law, it still cost me $5000 in settlement plus my legal fees and lost time. Massachusetts laws are probably less protective of the contractor.
SONGPAINTER Original Sign Music by Sign People NOW AVAILABLE on CD and the proceeds go to Letterville's favorite charity! Click Here for Sound Clips! Posts: 1974 | From: Orleans, MA, Cape Cod, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic