Interior Designer Insurance

Interior designers spend their time redesigning residential and commercial spaces. This involves incorporating safety into designs to be up to code, selecting durable and functional materials, designing for accessibility and functionality, in addition to staying on target to complete the project by the deadline. All of this exposes an interior designer to unique risks. That is why every interior designer needs an insurance policy designed specifically for their needs.

The most common types of risks associated with interior designers

As an interior design professional, your clients trust you to create designs for homes or commercial spaces that are up to code and incorporate safety features. If your design does not meet code or the standards of the client, they could sue you for negligence. If you are visiting a client's home and accidentally damage their property, you can be held responsible. Or, for example, if you fail to complete a project by a deadline, your client could file a lawsuit for not doing the work that was promised in a contract. Without insurance in any of these cases, your interior design business would suffer or be forced to shutter.

Safeguard your business with interior designer insurance

The level of insurance coverage you need as an interior designer will vary based on the scale of your operations, but there are some policies that all interior design businesses should have. One is general liability insurance, which protects your business should you or an employee cause damages to a client's property or the client is injured due to your work. It also can help with lawsuits regarding libel and slander against your business. A solid business owners insurance policy (BOP) offers protection for commercial property, including office space, warehouses, and showrooms, as well as your equipment and property while you are at a client's location. Finally, professional liability insurance is essential to protect against claims of negligence, errors, or omissions.

Why the scale of your business and your base of operations matters

Some interior designers are sole proprietors and work out of their homes. Others have an office building and manage multiple employees. Whatever type of business you manage, your needs will vary. If you operate your business from your own home, you will need additional coverage beyond your home insurance policy if you have materials delivered there, have items stored there, or have clients and/or employees at your home. If you operate your interior design firm at an office and have multiple employees, you might require more coverage options such as workers' compensation and others to protect your team and your property.

Coverage depends on whether you focus on residential or commercial projects

The risks associated with residential and commercial projects differ. For instance, if you are designing for a business, there might be additional considerations for safety and staying up to code. Whereas with residential homes, the scale of the design might typically be smaller and there may not be as many industry-specific regulations to contend with. And if your interior design business works in both fields, your insurance coverage will need to match that.

Interior design is still a business and needs the same protection

Even if you are the sole proprietor of your own interior design company, it is still a business and you still need business insurance. When you hire employees, you should have coverages like workers' compensation and employment practice liability insurance (EPLI) in place to protect them and your business at the same time. It is important to remember that your business, no matter how large or small, needs to be protected.

Are you looking for interior designer insurance coverage? Reach out to our team when you are ready to review options. for a consultation.

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