Key facts
- A home policy usually gives very little coverage for a home workshop or business stock.
- Wood dust, finishes and solvents raise fire risk, so insurers ask detailed shop questions.
- Markets and events often require a certificate naming the organizer as additional insured.
- Installed work can lead to claims after you leave, such as a leak behind a new cabinet.
- Tools in a van are generally not covered by the auto policy.
Who this is for
- Woodworkers and furniture makers
- Cabinet makers and millwork shops
- Finish carpenters and framers
- Custom fabricators and small manufacturers
- Potters, glass artists and jewelry makers
- Sewing, leather and textile makers
- Painters and other artists who sell work
- Craft sellers at markets, online shops and pop-ups
- Restorers and refinishers
Risks to plan for
- Fire. Dust collectors, finishes, solvents and heaters raise the chance of a serious fire.
- Theft and damage. Tools, machines, stock and finished pieces are valuable.
- Products you sell. A chair that fails or a shelf that falls can lead to an injury claim.
- Installed work. A cabinet or countertop can be blamed for damage that shows up later.
- Visitors. Customers, students and delivery drivers on your premises can be injured.
- Events. A visitor can trip over your display at a market.
- Shipping. Goods in transit can be damaged or lost.
- Downtime. A fire or machine failure can stop production for weeks.
Coverages to consider
- Commercial property. Covers your shop, building improvements, tools, machines, materials, work in progress and finished stock.
- Commercial general liability. Covers injury and property damage claims and legal defence, including claims about products you sell and work you install.
- Products and completed operations. Covers claims that arise after a sale or an install. Children's products carry stricter rules, so tell us if you make them.
- Tools and equipment. Covers tools that move between the shop, vans and job sites.
- Business interruption. Replaces income while a covered loss stops production.
- Equipment breakdown. Covers sudden failure of CNC machines, dust collectors, compressors and similar equipment.
- Commercial auto. Covers the van or truck you use for deliveries and installs. See our commercial auto for trades page.
- Goods in transit. Covers shipments and deliveries.
- Cyber liability. Covers costs after a breach if you sell online and store customer data.
- Market and event liability. Provides certificates for craft fairs, markets and pop-ups.
Home workshop or rented shop
Where you work changes the policy.
| Comparison | Home or garage workshop | Rented or owned shop |
|---|---|---|
| Home policy covers business? | Usually only a small amount | Not applicable |
| Business policy needed? | Yes, for stock, tools and liability | Yes |
| Key insurer questions | Separation from the home, smoke alarms, finishing area | Building age, sprinklers, distance to fire hall and hydrant |
| Fire risk | Higher if the shop is attached to the home | Depends on building and neighbours |
| Certificates | Available once the policy is in place | Available, and landlords often ask for them |
What insurers ask woodworkers and artisans
- What you make and what you sell
- Whether you do custom installs at customers' homes
- Shop size, construction, alarms, sprinklers and heating
- How you store finishes and solvents and manage dust
- Whether you use a spray booth
- Value of tools, machines and stock
- Where you sell, including markets, online and wholesale
- Claims history
Example scenarios
FAQ
Questions Ontario clients ask
- Does my home insurance cover my woodworking shop?
- Usually only for a small amount, if at all. Home policies often limit business property and exclude business liability. A business policy fills the gap.
- Do I need insurance to sell at craft markets?
- Many markets and events require it. They usually want a certificate naming them as additional insured.
- What if I only sell online?
- You still face product liability, shipping loss and cyber risks. We match coverage to how you sell.
- How does a spray booth or finishing room affect my premium?
- It usually raises the rate because of fire risk. Insurers want to know how it is ventilated, separated and maintained.
- Do you cover work I install at customers' homes?
- Yes, with the right liability and completed operations coverage. Tell us where and how you install.
- Are my tools covered in my truck?
- Generally not under the auto policy. Tools and equipment coverage covers them.
- Can artists and crafters get small, simple policies?
- Often yes. Small makers can get liability and property coverage sized to their business. Call us to see what is available.
AB
About the broker
Abhishek Bedwal · RIBO Certified Insurance Broker
Abhishek is a Registered Insurance Broker of Ontario (RIBO) licensed across the province, with local expertise across Durham Region, Ottawa, Niagara Falls, Brantford and Windsor. Coverage is placed through The Insurance Lab, a division of BrokerUnion, giving clients access to 20+ Canadian insurers so the policy fits the risk — not the other way around.
RIBO LicensedThe Insurance Lab20+ Ontario Carriers
Get a free quote — no obligation
Tell us what you need and we will compare suitable Ontario markets for you.
We speak English, Hindi and Punjabi.
Coverage placed through The Insurance Lab · Division of BrokerUnion