Face Painting Insurance

There's no specific license you need to work as a face painter. 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 face painting in parks, street corners, and other public areas.
• Proof of insurance. Most fairs and public events require proof of liability insurance in order to get a vendor permit, with the venue listed as an additional insured.
• Background checks. Parents or event organizers may request a background check for events involving children.
• Certification programs. A face painting certification program teaches techniques and safety, and may attract clients.

Face painters can find online courses and helpful resources at the International Face Painting School, the Face Paint Club, or the New Skills Academy, among others.

Yes, even if you only work at the occasional birthday party or other event, it's important to have face painting liability insurance. Due to the high cost of medical bills and litigation, even a single accident can be financially devastating.

Face painters and body painters 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. Face painters 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. Going without insurance can end badly for a small business. For example, you could face a costly product liability lawsuit if a child suffers an allergic reaction to face paint.
• 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 differ in several ways. For protection against lawsuits filed after an incident occurs, you'll need to keep your professional liability coverage active.

The right coverage won't break the bank, but will provide you with crucial financial protection and peace of mind to enjoy your work.

Owners of face painting and body painting businesses often invest in the following insurance products as part of a strong risk management strategy:

• Product liability insurance helps pay for financial losses from harm caused by face paints and other products. It's often included in general liability insurance (formerly called public liability insurance).
• Commercial property insurance covers your office and its contents in the event of a fire, storm, or burglary.
• Inland marine insurance provides coverage for items in transit and used at events, such as airbrushes, stencils, body paints, and your booth.
• Business interruption insurance helps your face painting 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 or other equipment.

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

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

Other ways for face painters 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. 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 reducing clutter in your booth and 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 offer face painting by yourself at private events or hire employees.