The Christmas season is fast approaching and many businesses and independent traders will be getting ready to hit pop-up markets throughout the winter months. Yet while they may seem fun and carefree, it’s important for temporary market vendors to protect themselves with a specialised insurance policy. To help you gain a better understanding of the concept, we’ve compiled this useful guide looking at what market insurance is and why it’s so important.
What is market insurance?
Put simply, market insurance is specialised cover designed for businesses trading at temporary events. Policies cover a range of risks and can usually be tailored to suit the individual needs of a vendor.
What are the major risks?
Market stalls may be temporary but that doesn’t mean they are safe from all the usual business risks. In fact, vendors often find themselves more at risk than conventional traders! Below is an outline of some of the major situations where it pays to be covered:
- Public liability
In the event that a member of the public is injured or killed due to your business activities, it is critical that your enterprise is covered. Many market traders are unfamiliar with their surroundings which automatically increases the risks of accidents. Depending on the market, some organises will insist that all vendors take out adequate public liability cover.
- Employee liability
Under government regulations, all market vendors are legally required to have an employee liability policy in place with minimum cover of £5 million. Many market stall staff are hired on a casual basis which means they do not have the advantage of coming to work each day with a thorough knowledge of their surroundings. As such, the risk of accidents and injuries is greatly increased. Whether you employ one casual weekender or five part time workers, without employee liability cover you risk fines and even imprisonment.
- Stock and equipment damage
As a market trader, the sale of stock is your bread and butter. When faced with damage or theft, the results can be crippling. Whatever you vend, make sure it’s protected with full market trader insurance cover!
- Cash theft cover
Most market stalls are cash in hand which makes them a popular target for thieves. As well as external risks, market stalls also face the danger of dishonest employees. If you’re unlucky enough to fall victim to a cash theft incident, you’ll be thankful you took out a market insurance policy.
Whatever you sell, make sure the festive season runs smoothly with comprehensive market traders insurance that protects you, your staff and your customers throughout the festive period.
