Graphic Designers Insurance Ontario

What You Need to Know About Graphic Designers Insurance

Graphic designers are skilled at helping businesses grow their brands. They use their creativity and expertise to design quality products that help their clients stand out with items like unique packaging, products, social media posts, logos, graphics, animations and more. 

However, like anyone who provides a service, graphic designers need to be cautious about simple oversights or decisions that could lead to a dissatisfied client. Plus, any business needs to be prepared for unforeseen events like fire, water damage, or theft. And the best way to prepare for these situations is with a comprehensive business insurance policy for graphic designers.

Insurance Coverage Options

Here at Insurance Hero, we recognize that no two graphic designers are alike. That is why we have many affordable coverage options to protect the individual needs of every graphic designer. Our insurance experts are skilled at asking the right questions to understand your needs and ensure you get the best coverage. 

When you partner with us, you can rest assured that we will find you high-quality insurance coverage at the lowest price. Our Insurance Heroes will build you a comprehensive policy to safeguard you and your business from everyday risks and perils so you can go about your job worry-free.

What is graphic designers insurance?

In Ontario, graphic designers insurance is a comprehensive liability and commercial property insurance policy built to protect graphic designers. It is composed of several coverages to safeguard you from unique industry-related risks, such as damages, losses and lawsuits due to negligence, failing to deliver a service as advertised, injuries and more. 

Why do graphic designers need insurance?

No matter how careful and accurate you are with the products you produce, there is always a risk of having to deal with a disgruntled client. Should the client feel that you failed to deliver your product or service as advertised, they may decide to sue you.

Expensive lawsuits could put you and your business at risk of financial ruin. That is why it is important for any freelancer to protect themselves financially with insurance. Plus, if a dissatisfied client tries to slander your reputation, liability insurance can also help with damages.

What is covered by graphic designers insurance?

Whether you freelance as a graphic designer or work for a business, it is important to protect yourself. Below are coverages you can generally find in a standard graphic designers insurance policy.

Professional Liability Insurance

Professional liability insurance, also known as errors and omissions insurance, is absolutely essential for any graphic designer. It is the most important coverage for you to have. It protects your business against claims of misconduct, negligence, failure to deliver a service or inadequate work. Professional liability covers:

• Errors, mistakes and oversights
• Failure to meet deadlines
• Failure to deliver your product/service as advertised
• Professional negligence or malpractice
• Failure to meet a standard of care
• Breach of contract

Commercial Property Insurance

Should you work out of a brick-and-mortar office, commercial property insurance protects your office and the contents inside (e.g., equipment, inventory, etc.) by covering the financial loss from such perils as:

• Property damage due to natural disasters, flood, fire, vandalism or theft.
• Property damage or theft of electronics, equipment, company documents or employees’ personal belongings.
• Inventory theft by employees.

Graphic designers’ insurance can also include business interruption, which protects your business should you be unable to work due to an illness or injury and have to shut it down temporarily. This helps offset ongoing costs from income losses, such as bills, employee wages, etc.

Commercial General Liability Insurance

Commercial general liability protects you and your business (and any employees) from legal liability against third-party bodily injury or property damage claims that occurred while a client was at your office. It covers the costs of medical bills, legal fees, and repairs or replacements. This insurance policy also protects you against any advertising and reputational injuries (e.g., slander, libel, copyright infringement).

Cyber Liability Insurance

Cyber and privacy liability insurance protects your business by covering damages and legal claims if your client’s personal information is leaked or stolen due to a data breach or theft. As storing business information online has become standard practice, this has become an essential insurance policy for any business with clients to have. 

Product Liability Insurance

Product liability insurance protects you against claims of bodily injury or property damage due to a product you manufacture, distribute or sell. If a client is injured by a product you sell, you could face a costly lawsuit. Having product liability insurance will help cover your legal fees, settlement fees or payouts.

What other types of insurance do graphic designers need?

While the above coverages provide a lot of protection, every graphic designer is different. Therefore, there may be some areas where additional coverage can be beneficial. Below are some additional options you may want to consider adding to your policy.

Equipment Breakdown Insurance

Some graphic designers, like ceramicists, carpenters, caterers and designers, have tools and equipment that are vital to their businesses. Equipment breakdown insurance covers financial costs for equipment that need repairs or to be replaced due to internal damage. While you have some coverage for external event damage under commercial property insurance, this policy covers internal damages, such as power surges, motor burnout, electrical shorts, operator errors and mechanical breakdowns. 

Business Insurance – Home-Based

If you run your graphic design business out of your home instead of at a separate office, you must let your insurance provider know immediately. Standard home insurance will not cover any business-related accidents or losses, even if they occur in the home. 

Auto Insurance – Business Use

Some graphic designers may also travel to their client’s homes to deliver a product. These designers will need to let their insurance provider know they will be using their vehicles for business purposes, as their insurer may deny a claim if they are using their vehicle for work without informing them. You can likely add this to your personal auto insurance policy.