One of the benefits of Indie Business Network membership is affordable product liability insurance. Our insurance is priced separately from membership. Once you join IBN, you will receive a link via email to purchase your insurance. To learn more, please browse our Frequently Asked Questions below. If you don't see your answer here, contact us!
Handmade Candles, Jewelry, Soap, Cosmetics (excludes Topical Hemp CBD)
What types of products are covered?
Products eligible for coverage include: lotion, soap, bath salts, perfume, essential oils, candles, jewelry, perfumes, fragrance oils, base oils, waxes, powders, masks and scrubs.
What types of products are NOT covered?
The program does NOT cover the following types of products: acetone-based products, aerosol products, products containing cannabbidoil (CBD), any product containing talc, any product requiring a prescription, digestible products of any kind, drugs or medicines, formaldehyde or products containing formaldehyde, furniture, household cleaning products that are not made with organic and/or natural ingredients, ingestible hemp products, invasive body inks, invasive products intended to remain within the body, nutraceuticals, permanent cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, plug-in electrical products, suppositories, tanning beds or tanning equipment, toys (except when sold in conjunction with an eligible beauty product), and vitamins and supplements.
This is not an exhaustive list of products that are not covered. If you are unsure as to whether or not your product is covered, please contact us.
How do I know if my product is “handmade” for purposes of the coverage?
For purpose of this coverage, “handmade” means you either made the product from scratch by hand yourself, someone under your control made the product from scratch by hand, or you purchased the unscented, unflavored and/or uncolored product in bulk and added your own scent, flavor and/or color and/or other additive, and the poured, packaged, and labeled the product yourself. If 80% or more of your products are “handmade” within this definition, then they qualify for coverage under this policy. If less than 80% of your products are NOT “handmade” within this definition, then you may qualify for the Non-Handmade Candles, Jewelry, Soap, Cosmetics (includes Topical Hemp CBD) program also described on this page.
If you are unsure as to whether or not your product is covered, please contact us.
What does the product liability insurance coverage cover?
The policy is Commercial General and Product Liability policy. The base limits are:
$1,000,000 General Aggregate Limit
$1,000,000 Products-Completed Operations Aggregate Limit
$1,000,000 Personal and Advertising Injury Limit
$1,000,000 Each Occurrence Limit
$300,000 Damage to Rented Premises Limit
$5,000 Medical Expense Limit
Business Personal Property coverage covers “miscellaneous property of a floating nature.” This means it covers the type of property you use in your business that is “tangible property you own or is in your care, custody or control.” Example of this type of property are inventory, packaging, and equipment you use in the course of conducting your business. The limits are:
$1,000 Maximum Payout Per Single Item
$5,000 Total
$100 Deductible
Identity Theft coverage limits are as follows:
$15,000 Aggregate Limit
$250 Deductible
Who is the Insurance Carrier?
Steer.
Who is the Insurance Broker?
The insurance broker is Steer Insurance. The broker can be contacted by email at mybhta [at] steerinsurance.com.
What is the price of the coverage?
$350, plus a $50 fee added by the Canadian brokers, for a total of $400 (CAN). The policy has a maximum $1M limit per occurrence, with a $2M aggregate.
When should I purchase coverage?
You can purchase coverage anytime, so long as you are a current member of the Indie Business Network. If you are not a member and you purchase or renew insurance through this program, it will be canceled unless the membership is brought current. A purchased policy will expire a year from the day it was purchased. While Indie Business Network membership and insurance are purchased separately, and you do not have to purchased them on the same date, we encourage you to purchase both on the same date so you do not have to track two renewal dates.
How do I increase coverage from $1,000,000 to $2,000,000?
If you already have $1,000,000 in coverage, or if you have $2,000,000 in coverage and want to increase to more, please contact Insurance Customer Service at 844-520-6994 or info@indiebusinessinsurance.com for assistance.
Can I pay for my insurance in installments?
No.
Is the insurance premium refundable?
No.
If I sell my business, is the policy transferable to the new owner?
No. The new owner would have to procure their own coverage.
Does obtaining this insurance change my Indie Business Network membership dues, or any of my other Indie Business Network member benefits?
No, it simply adds to your benefits.
Is there minimum annual revenue requirement with this insurance?
No.
Is there a maximum annual revenue cap with this insurance?
No, but if this program is significantly insufficient for your commercial manufacturing and/or retail establishment, your premium may be higher.
How do I purchase product liability insurance through this program?
Simply join Indie Business Network as a full member. After your membership dues are procesed, you will receive a link to the page to secure your insurance. Complete the short form, submit payment, and your new insurance certificate will be emailed to you right away. It's that easy!
When will my insurance become effective?
Immediately upon receipt of payment. You get your insurance certificate right away.
Do I qualify for the insurance if my business is located in a country other than the United States?
Our program offers coverage for businesses that are located in Canada and the contiguous 48 United States, and in Alaska and Hawaii. Our US program does not offer coverage for businesses located in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands (St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John). Our program for Canadian businesses is described below in the Canadian section.
Your business must be physically located in Canada or the US (as described above) in order to qualify for the insurance program. However, the policies do include coverage for short term business activities which may occur outside of the US or Canada (such as traveling to a trade show), and for your products wherever they are shipped. *This is a very basic summary of coverage and not intended to imply actual coverage details. If you have any questions, please contact us at support@indiebusinessnetwork.com.
Do I qualify for insurance if my business is in Canada?
The program provides coverage for businesses located in Canada, except for Quebec, starting at $400 per year.
Are cosmetic products made for pets e.g. dog or cat soap or shampoo covered?
Yes, if they are handmade by you.
How will I receive my certificate of insurance?
It will be emailed to you immediately after you purchase the policy.
What if I want to include Additional Insureds?
You can simply log into our insurance portal using your username and password and add Additional Insureds at any time on your own and then print out your new certificate. There is no additional charge for this service!
Can I join Indie Business Network and not get the insurance?
Yes. The insurance program is one of the benefits of IBN membership and is only offered to our members.
What if I just want the insurance? Do I still have to join Indie Business Network?
The insurance is a benefit of membership in Indie Business. Join us, and you'll see that we're much more than an insurance portal!
Is product liability insurance included with my Indie Business Network membership?
No. Product liability insurance is a member benefit. Indie Business membership is $227/year. Insurance is priced separately as described above, depending on whether you purchase $1M or $2M in coverage. Once you join Indie Business Network or renew your membership, paying your membership dues, you will receive a link to get your product liability insurance.
Who do I contact if I have a question that is not answered here?
Most questions about the product liability insurance coverage are answered here. If you have a question that is not answered here, please contact us at support@indiebusinessnetwork.com.