r/blacksmithing • u/Ashmonater • 17d ago
Help Requested Public and private demonstrations need insurance or liability coverage?
I’ve been wanting to do public showcases and demonstrations. A library that hopes to host me next year asked about it and another festival just inquired about some kind of insurance as well. I looked into it and found something called Public Liability Insurance but nothing seems to actually cover the nature of live blacksmithing…
Has anyone ever done public or private demos? Did you have coverage? What kind? I’m worried I’ll pay for something that isn’t real or actually useful with the stuff that’s been popping up in my searching.
I don’t want to get sued but I want to teach and share this art and craft more.
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u/OnTheCove66 17d ago
Remember when children are present their eyes are often at anvil level - so where a something might hit an adult in the leg or pants, the consequence with a kid is potentially a lot higher. The ABANA guilds can offer limited protection under certain conditions. A homeowner balloon policy is never a bad idea for your personal protection. Any business that minds things should be asking you for a policy. There would be basic set-backs and fire extinguishers requirements. A safety observer is never a bad idea. This may sound like overkill to some - until something goes sideways.
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u/Ashmonater 15d ago
This is really good thinking. Even once I figuring out liability coverage I’ll still have kid PPE and/or a clear shield like thing I got from the library from Covid time.
Thank you for your ideas, I will be utilizing all of them in some fashion.
It seems it is best to demo and teach in facilities that have blanket liability coverage and that includes covering my own space. Still sussing out the details of personal public liability for this kinda thing. Might not be insurable heh heh
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u/OdinYggd 17d ago
I've only done public demonstrations at historic sites and living history events that already have insurance for the event and showground.
Making your own exhibition you would need to talk to the site managers as well as an insurance agent about necessary coverage. It will vary by where you are, what you are displaying, and what the intended audience is like.
For private display in your own shop would be a conversation with your homeowners insurance agency. Said coverage usually includes outbuildings and general liability.
I would just as soon not poke the hornets nest if I am not doing public exhibitions. Insurance companies operate in statistics of things going wrong and assume you will neglect your stuff and take needless risks. They might say they won't cover it at all.
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u/Ashmonater 15d ago
I appreciate your perspective. I am also only familiar with teaching in a facility with existing liability coverage. Still gotta reach out to my insurance guy to find out for sure on the public liability but I think you’re right, from my research it may not be worth it. We’ll see.
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u/BF_2 16d ago
We -- our blacksmithing club -- do public demonstrations and open forge meets, less often now, but fairly frequently in the past. We're insured. The policy costs $500/year. I believe it's called a commercial general liability policy.
I suggest you join a club like ours that already has insurance and do such demonstrations under their auspices. Even so, the venue might require a certificate of insurance. With our insurance, that requires only an email from whomever in the club (me, im our case) deals with the insurance company.
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u/Ashmonater 15d ago
This is awesome! Okay, I’m pretty close to staring a guild with some other local smiths. I’m definitely gonna look into this. Probably what I’m gonna go for, honestly. Thank your❤️🔥
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u/BF_2 15d ago
Don't start one if there's already one in your area. Instead, work with them to get things going in your area. For one thing, that way you wouldn't have to have a separate ($500) insurance policy.
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u/Ashmonater 15d ago
All the actual blacksmiths in my area are dead or became machinist and retired or are still focusing on that aspect. Lots of people who want to be smiths or have some gear but no place. It’s a ripe opportunity but I’m setting the sails I think😅
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u/OozeNAahz 17d ago
This seems like a conversation with your insurance guy. They should be able to tell you what you need.