Balloon Twister and Artist Insurance

There's no specific license you need to perform as a balloon artist. However, there are still some basic requirements for your business:

• Business license. Every business owner typically needs a business license to operate legally.
• Busking permit. Some cities require busking permits for outdoor balloon twisting in public areas.
• Proof of insurance. Many venues require proof of liability insurance before balloon artists can perform on their premises.
• Background checks. Schools, libraries, and other organizations may mandate a background check for balloon artists who perform for children.

When a venue requires general liability insurance, they'll typically ask to be listed on your policy as an additional insured. This gives them protection against common liability claims, including bodily injuries and property damage related to your performance.

Yes, business insurance can help pay for property damage claims in the following circumstances:

• You accidentally damage someone else's property. If a balloon artist stumbles into an antique in a client's home, or someone drops their phone when a balloon pops, general liability insurance will help pay to repair or replace the item. It'll also pay for legal expenses if your business is sued over the accident.
• Property at your business location is damaged or stolen. Commercial property insurance covers storms, fires, burglaries, and other events that damage a balloon artist's office or its contents.
• Mobile business property is damaged or stolen. For items that travel to gigs and venues, you'll need inland marine insurance. It covers business property in transit, used at venues, and stored off-site.

Balloon artists can purchase general liability insurance and commercial property insurance together in a business owner's policy (BOP), which costs less than purchasing these policies separately. You can customize your BOP with endorsements for inland marine insurance and additional coverages to better protect your business.

Yes, even if you only perform at the occasional birthday party or other private event, it's important to have liability insurance. This is doubly important for sole proprietors, who have no separation between personal assets and business assets.

Balloon artists and balloon twisters can buy one-day special event insurance or short-term liability insurance if they work intermittently. However, there are several reasons to opt for continuous coverage instead:

• It's expensive to stop and start coverage. Balloon artists who cancel their policies may see increased premiums or have difficulty restarting coverage, as it's a red flag for insurers.
• It leaves you exposed to risks. For example, you could face a costly product liability lawsuit if a child swallows a balloon that came from your business.
• Personal policies won't provide coverage. Non-commercial policies like homeowner's insurance and personal auto insurance won't cover claims related to your work.
• Some policies must be kept active to protect you. Occurrence-based policies like general liability continue to cover incidents that happened when you were insured, but that's not the case for claims-made policies like professional liability insurance, which must be kept active to work.

Due to the high cost of medical bills and litigation, even a single accident can devastate your business financially. The right coverage won't break the bank, but will provide you with crucial protection and peace of mind during your performances.

Owners of balloon art businesses often invest in the following insurance products as part of a strong risk management strategy:

• Product liability insurance helps pay for legal fees related to harm caused by balloons and other products. It's often included in general liability insurance.
• Business interruption insurance helps your balloon business recover from a forced closure due to a fire or other covered property claim. It's also called business income insurance.
• Equipment breakdown insurance covers losses related to the unexpected failure of a point-of-sale (POS) device, helium tank, or other equipment.

Our expert agents can help you find any specialty insurance policies you may need and answer your questions about coverage.

It's easy to find affordable business insurance with Insureon. Our easy online application lets you compare quotes from trusted insurance companies to find policies that fit your budget and your unique risks.

Other ways for balloon artists to save money on insurance include:

• Bundle policies. You can often save money when you purchase two or more types of coverage in one package, such as a business owner's policy.
• Customize your coverage options. Choose lower limits or higher deductibles to reduce your premium, but make sure your coverage is sufficient to cover a claim and that you can afford to pay the deductible in a crisis.
• Avoid accidents and insurance claims. Policyholders can prevent employee injuries and customer accidents that lead to claims by training employees on safe techniques. A clean claims history keeps your premium low.

Our insurance agents can help you find the right insurance solutions for your business, whether you perform by yourself at private events or hire employees.