Your Simple FAQ Guide
If you sell at markets, craft fairs, school fetes or seasonal pop-ups, you've probably heard people mention public liability insurance. And if you're just doing this as a hobby (crafts, candles, cake, crochet), then it can feel a bit confusing. Do you actually need it? Is it expensive? And what does it even cover?
What is public liability insurance?
In the simplest terms, it protects you if someone gets hurt or something gets damaged because of your stall or what you're doing at an event. Real-life examples can make this easier to understand:
Someone trips over a box behind your table and sprains their ankle
A gust of wind blows over your display and damages a nearby trader's stock
A customer gets burned on a wax melt you're demonstrating
A bottle of oil or sauce leaks from your stall and someone slips
Even if it was an innocent mistake, a member of the public can make a claim against you and without insurance, you'd be dealing with the cost yourself. These costs could be things like compensation payments, repair/replacement costs, legal fees, or venue/council payments. Public liability insurance steps in to cover those claims.
Do I legally need it to sell at a market?
No, the law doesn't force hobby sellers or market traders to have public liability insurance. But most event organisers won't let you book a pitch without it. This includes:
Craft fairs
Christmas markets
Car boot sales
Food festivals
School or charity events
For many organisers, showing your insurance certificate is simply part of signing up. So while it's not technically required by law, it is required in practice.
How much cover do I need?
Most markets ask for between £1 million and £5 million in cover. Don't panic - that's the maximum amount they could pay out on a large claim, not what you're paying upfront.
If you're unsure, check the event's booking page, or ask the organiser directly. They'll normally tell you the minimum level they expect.
I only sell a few times a year - do I still need a whole policy?
Good news: lots of insurers offer single-event or short-term cover, so you can insure just the days you're trading.
However, if you're doing more than two or three events a year, an annual policy is often cheaper and easier. It also covers you during setup, takedown, and any claims that pop up after the event, like if someone says a product of yours caused an issue later down the line.
But I'm not a 'business' person. I'm just doing my hobby. Does this apply to me?
If you're selling to the public and taking money, even if it's only a handful of times a year, you're treated as a business for responsibility purposes. That means you're still accountable if someone gets hurt or something goes wrong.
Hobbyists often skip insurance because they think they're too small to need it - but claims don't care about size. One accident is all it takes.
Does it cover my stock or stall if something gets damaged?
Not usually, you'll have to add that as an extra layer of cover. Public liability protects the public, not your own things.
So if you want insurance for your stock, display stands, gazebo, or craft equipment, look for optional add-ons or see if there's additional cover included in certain types of packages.
The takeaway
Public liability insurance isn't just for big traders. It's for anyone selling face-to-face, whether that's once a year or every weekend. It keeps you compliant with event rules and protects you financially if something goes wrong.
For most hobbyists, it's affordable, straightforward, and gives you genuine peace of mind while you do what you love.
