Things go wrong at work. Someone gets hurt. Property gets damaged. A client claims your work caused them harm. Without the right insurance, your crew — and your personal finances — are exposed.
What can go wrong
The realistic risks for working crews:
- Property damage. A bartender breaks an expensive bottle. A server spills coffee on a client's laptop.
- Personal injury to a client or third party. A guest slips on a wet floor your crew was supposed to mark.
- Personal injury to a crew member. Someone on your crew gets hurt working — back injury, cut, fall.
- Professional negligence claims. Your crew did the work, but the client says it caused business loss or financial harm.
- Vehicle accidents. Crew member driving for work hits another car.
Each of these can result in a lawsuit, a workers comp claim, or out-of-pocket payment.
Types of insurance crews typically need
General liability insurance
Covers third-party claims — when someone outside your crew claims you caused them harm or property damage.
What it covers: a guest gets hurt at an event you're working, you damage a client's property accidentally, someone sues you for negligence.
What it doesn't cover: injuries to your own crew members (workers comp), damage to your own equipment (commercial property insurance).
Cost: $400-1,500/year for most small crews. Required for many engagement types.
Workers compensation insurance
Required by law in most states if you have W-2 employees. Covers crew members who get hurt on the job — medical costs, lost wages, disability.
If your crew is structured as 1099 contractors, technically each contractor needs their own coverage (or to be exempt under their state's rules).
Professional liability insurance (Errors & Omissions)
Covers claims that your professional work caused financial harm to a client. Most relevant for consultants, designers, and crews that produce deliverables.
Commercial auto insurance
If crew members drive for work, your personal auto policy probably won't cover business use. Most personal policies explicitly exclude driving for hire or transporting clients.
What employers will require
When a client hires your crew, they often require:
- Certificate of insurance (COI) showing your general liability coverage
- Additional insured status — your insurer adds the client to your policy
- Specific minimum coverage limits — often $1M per occurrence, $2M aggregate
- Workers comp coverage if you have employees
Liability without insurance
Without insurance, you (and the crew) are personally on the hook for medical bills, property damage, legal fees, and settlements.
A single workplace injury or property damage claim can cost $50k-$500k easily. Insurance is what stands between you and that.
Practical steps
- Get a quote for general liability before your first paid gig
- Confirm what your clients require
- Document everything
- Renew policies on time
- Update coverage as you grow
- Talk to a broker if your needs are unusual
Where to get insurance: Hiscox, Next Insurance, Thimble for small crews. State Farm, Liberty Mutual, Travelers for general coverage. Independent brokers can shop your needs across carriers.