Clown Insurance

Entertainer / Performer (Excl Bands)
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Why do clowns need insurance?

Your goal is to spread joy, but every performance comes with risk. Business insurance covers costs if a child slips and falls during a show, or if a performer trips in clown shoes and suffers an injury. State laws and the venues where you appear may require coverage.

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Find the right insurance

With Insureon, clowns can get quotes from trusted insurance companies with our easy online application.

Our agents will help you find the right coverage to perform at top venues and protect against costly accidents.

What kind of insurance do clowns need?

These insurance policies cover the most common risks for clowns.

General liability insurance icon

General liability insurance

A general liability insurance policy covers basic third-party risks, such as a child who trips over a prop and suffers an injury. Venues often require this type of liability coverage.

BEST FOR
  • Audience injuries
  • Accidents that damage property
  • Libel and other advertising injuries
Business owner’s policy icon

Business owner's policy

A BOP bundles commercial property insurance and general liability coverage under one plan. It's often the most cost-effective type of commercial insurance for clowns and clown alleys.

BEST FOR
  • Accidents that injure audience members
  • Property damaged by accident
  • Stolen or damaged business property
Professional liability insurance icon

Professional liability insurance

This policy, also called errors and omissions insurance (E&O), covers legal fees if a clown is accused of negligence. You can often combine it with a general liability policy or BOP.

BEST FOR
  • Booking errors
  • Missed performances
  • Claims of poor quality
Workers’ compensation insurance icon

Workers’ compensation insurance

Most states require workers' comp for clown businesses with employees. It also protects sole proprietors from work-related medical bills that health insurance might deny.

BEST FOR
  • Medical expenses from a job injury
  • Disability benefits
  • Lawsuits from employee injuries
Commercial auto insurance icon

Commercial auto insurance

Commercial auto insurance covers financial losses when a clown's vehicle is involved in an accident. Most states require this coverage for vehicles registered to a business.

BEST FOR
  • Property damage caused by your vehicle
  • Bodily injuries from an auto accident
  • Vehicle theft and vandalism
Cyber insurance icon

Cyber insurance

Cyber liability insurance helps clowns and other performers recover from costly data breaches and cyberattacks. It's recommended for any business that stores personal information.

BEST FOR
  • Customer notification costs
  • Data breach investigations
  • Fraud monitoring services
Looking for different coverage? See more policies.

How much does clown insurance cost?

The owner of an entertainment business calculates their insurance costs.

A clown who performs as a comedian or balloon twister can expect lower insurance rates than an acrobat or aerialist who takes on more risks.

Factors that affect business insurance costs during underwriting include:

  • Where you perform, such as circuses, birthday parties, or fairs
  • Type of clown, such as storyteller, puppeteer, or face painter
  • Value of your props, costumes, and other business property
  • Business income
  • Types of insurance purchased
  • Policy limits and deductibles
  • Endorsements and exclusions
  • Claims history

How do I get clown insurance?

It's easy to get clown insurance or entertainer insurance if you have your company information on hand. Our application will ask for basic facts about your business, such as revenue and number of employees. You can buy a policy online and get a certificate of insurance with Insureon in three easy steps:

  1. Complete a free online application.
  2. Compare insurance quotes and choose a policy.
  3. Pay for your policy and download a certificate.

Our insurance agents work with top-rated U.S. providers to find the right insurance program for clowns, magicians, balloon artists, jugglers, and other performers. We'll help you get coverage for your specific needs, whether you're an independent contractor or you hire employees.

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FAQs about business insurance for clowns

Review answers to common questions about insurance coverage for clowns.

Do you need a license to be a clown?

There's no specific license you need to work as a clown. 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 performances in public areas.
  • Proof of insurance. Some venues require performer insurance and may ask to see proof of liability insurance.
  • Background checks. For performances involving children, clowns may need to pass a background check.
  • Training and certifications. Getting a clown degree or certification displays professionalism and helps attract clients.

Find a local clown alley or other resources through the World Clown Association or Clowns of America International.

Does clown insurance cover assistants?

A clown's assistants aren't automatically covered by your policies. However, they still need insurance.

If an assistant gets into an accident and someone is injured, the result could be costly medical bills or even a lawsuit.

Fortunately, you can insure your assistants with an additional insured endorsement on your general liability policy.

You'll also need to provide them with workers' compensation, which is required in most states as soon as you hire an employee.

What factors affect the cost of clown insurance?

Some of the top factors that affect insurance costs for clowns and other entertainers include:

  • Business location: Localized factors such as crime rates, healthcare costs, foot traffic, risk of natural disasters, and property values can impact your insurance premiums.
  • Value of property and equipment: Expect to pay more if you need insurance for an office or expensive props, costumes, and audio equipment.
  • Annual revenue: In general, businesses that earn more revenue are associated with costlier claims, which means they pay more for insurance.
  • Number of employees: A bigger workforce means an increased risk of accidents and injuries, which raises the cost of general liability, workers' comp, and similar policies.
  • Coverage limits and deductibles: You can save money on insurance by opting for lower limits or higher deductibles on your policies, but make sure it's enough to cover a potential claim.
  • Claims history: A clown who has filed insurance claims in the past will pay more for insurance than one with a clean claims history.

Different providers offer different rates, which is why it's important to shop around. With Insureon, you can compare quotes from trusted providers with our easy application, and a licensed agent will help make sure you get the right coverage for your needs.

What other types of insurance do clowns need?

Independent clowns and clown alleys often invest in the following insurance products as part of a strong risk management strategy:

Our insurance agents can help you find specialty insurance for unique risks and answer any questions you might have about coverage.

Find insurance quotes for clowns

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