Advocacy, advice and professional practice resources for the Australian visual arts, craft and design sector
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Types of Insurance
If you are running a professional art practice there are a number of insurance products that you may either choose to have or have to have. For example, you may want to take out cover for your artworks when they are in transit between your studio and a gallery that sells them, or, if you are employing others, you will need to have Workers Compensation insurance.
There are a number of ways to arrange insurance. You could approach an insurance company directly; you could join one of the existing insurance packages for the arts on offer; or you could approach an insurance broker to look for the "best deal" they can get for you. A broker would approach a number of insurance companies on your behalf and they will charge a fee for this service.
As an artist, you may also want to know what types of insurance cover are held by other businesses you are working with. For example, if you have left your work on consignment with a gallery, do they have cover that will reimburse you for the value of the artworks in the event of theft or damage? Or if you are undertaking voluntary work for another business, are they insured in case you have an accident whilst working with them?
The Arts Law Centre of Australia sells The Arts Insurance Handbook that provides useful advice and explanations.
Artist Insurance available as part of the NAVA Professional Membership package
Included in the insurance package is Public Liability insurance, which is an essential policy that covers you as a visual arts, craft or design practitioner, for legal liabilities you create, allowing you to make a claim if things go wrong.
To find out more about becoming a NAVA Professional Member and the benefits to you click here.
Insurance Products Fact Sheet
This sheet provides a list of some of the insurance products that may be of interest to a professional artist with a brief description of what that insurance might be expected to cover. However, please note these are summarised descriptions and you should not rely on them as a definitive description of the product or any final package that may be offered. With any insurance product you need to read and fully understand what cover you are being offered, and what exclusions or excesses may be involved. Download the NAVA Fact Sheet.
Tax, Insurance And Occupational Health And Safety Chapter 8. The Code of Practice Professional Australian Visual Arts, Craft and Design Sector 3rd edition, 2009.
Buy the full publication.
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Useful links
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Below are some insurance companies and arts organisations that NAVA understands have experience in dealing with insurance issues relating to artists and artworks. Please note: NAVA does not endorse any of these companies.
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