In a fast-paced, high-energy event environment, having an extra set of helping hands can be a game-changer. But are staff members or volunteers covered by your vendor insurance?
While it’s easy to assume that your policy will take care of everything, there are some important things to keep in mind about who it covers and who it doesn’t.
What Does Vendor Insurance Cover for Staff and Volunteers?
Vendor insurance is designed to protect your business in case of third-party accidents, like property damage, bodily injury, or a lawsuit due to something your business did. But when it comes to covering your staff and volunteers, it can feel a bit confusing.
✅ What It Covers
Vendor insurance can cover accidents caused by your business, even if it’s your staff or volunteers who are involved. For example, if your friend is helping at your booth and forgets to secure the tent weights properly, causing an accident, your insurance could cover it.
❌ What It Does Not Cover
When it comes to your staff or volunteers getting hurt, you’ll need Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If one of your team members is injured while working at your booth, workers’ comp can cover their medical bills, lost wages, and rehab costs.
Can I Add Staff and Volunteers as Additional Insureds?
Like many things in life, adding a vendor additional insured depends on the type of crew you have.
Independent Contractors
✔️ Additional Insured Status
If your staff or volunteers are independent contractors, then they can be listed as additional insureds on your policy. These are employees you hire for a specific task associated with running your booth and are not regular staff or volunteers.
Regular Staff and Volunteers
❌ No Additional Insured Status
You cannot add regular staff or volunteers (even if they’re family or friends) as additional insureds. They’re already covered for liabilities just by being part of your business, so adding them to your policy won’t change anything.
If each member of your crew needs to show proof of insurance, they’ll have to get their own liability policy.
Pro Tip: If you list the event organizer or venue as an additional insured, their staff and volunteers helping with the event may also be covered by your policy if something goes wrong at the event. It’s a nice bonus to make sure everyone’s protected.
Is Vendor Booth Insurance for Staff and Volunteers Worth It?
Getting vendor booth insurance is a smart way to protect your business, staff, and volunteers, and it brings you peace of mind, too.
⭐ Meets event requirements: Many events require proof of insurance that covers everyone working your booth, including volunteers. Without it, you might not be allowed to participate.
⭐ Helps you save: Vendor policies start as low as $49 and include liability coverage for your team at no extra cost.
⭐ Shields your business: When staff or volunteers are involved, your risk goes up. Insurance helps protect your business from the financial fallout of accidents or lawsuits.
FAQs About Vendor Booth Insurance for Volunteers and Staff
What Does Vendor Insurance Cover for Staff?
Vendor insurance covers your staff for third-party damage or injury while working for your business at an event. For example, if a customer trips over a cord or a volunteer drops equipment and damages the venue.
What Type of Insurance Covers Employees?
Workers’ comp covers your employees for job-related injuries. If your employee gets hurt at your booth, Workers’ Comp will take care of their medical expenses and lost wages. Vendor insurance doesn’t cover these injuries.
When Does a Vendor Need Additional Insureds?
A vendor needs to add additional insureds to their policy if an event or venue requires it. Typically, this applies to outside parties like venue owners, event organizers, or cities. Regular staff and volunteers aren’t eligible to be added, but independent contractors you hire can be.
