Quick Answer: Interior Decorator Insurance

Interior decorators need Professional Liability (E&O) and General Liability to protect against design error claims and property damage. A BOP + E&O bundle starts at $800–$3,000/year for most decorators.

Best carriers:

Hartford: Best overall — BOP + E&O bundles from $800/year, subcontractor coverage included
Hiscox: Best for solo decorators — E&O from $350/year, monthly billing, 10-minute online quotes
Chubb: Best for luxury/high-end firms — higher limits for high-value projects, worldwide coverage

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Why Interior Decorators Need Insurance
Essential Coverage Types
Top Carriers Compared
Cost Breakdown
Common Claims
How to Reduce Costs
FAQ

Why Interior Decorators Need Business Insurance

Interior decorators and designers make decisions that directly affect their clients' homes and commercial spaces. From selecting materials that cause allergic reactions to recommending structural changes that lead to damage, the creative work you do carries real liability. One unhappy client — or one subcontractor mistake — can result in a lawsuit that threatens your business.

The right insurance protects your livelihood so you can focus on creating beautiful spaces.

→ Compare interior decorator insurance quotes from top carriers

Essential Coverage for Interior Decorators

Coverage Type	What It Protects	Example Scenario
Professional Liability (E&O)	Errors in design advice or material selection	Client claims your paint recommendation caused health issues
General Liability	Bodily injury and property damage	You accidentally damage a client's antique during installation
Business Property	Your tools, samples, and equipment	Sample inventory is stolen from your vehicle
Commercial Auto	Business vehicle use	Accident while driving to a client site
Inland Marine	Materials and furnishings in transit	Custom furniture damaged during delivery
Cyber Liability	Client data and digital design files	Client credit card info stolen from your invoicing system

Top Insurance Carriers for Interior Decorators

Hartford — Best Overall for Interior Design Firms

Hartford understands professional service businesses and offers tailored packages for interior decorators:

Professional Liability covering design errors, material recommendations, and project management
BOP bundling general liability + business property from $47/mo
Coverage for subcontractor work (painters, installers, carpenters you hire)
Inland marine for furnishings and materials in transit or at client sites
Certificates of insurance issued same day

Typical premium: $800 – $3,000/year for a BOP + E&O bundle

Hiscox — Best for Solo Decorators

Hiscox specializes in small professional service firms:

E&O coverage starting at $350/year
Monthly billing with no finance charges
Online quotes and binding in under 10 minutes
Tailored for freelance and solo design professionals

Typical premium: $500 – $2,000/year for E&O coverage

Chubb — Best for High-End Design Firms

For decorators working on luxury residential or large commercial projects:

Higher E&O limits for high-value projects ($2M+)
Valuable articles coverage for rare samples and antiques
Worldwide coverage for sourcing trips
Client property in your care, custody, and control

Typical premium: $2,000 – $8,000/year depending on project values

→ See quotes from all three carriers — takes 60 seconds

Cost Breakdown by Business Size

Business Type	Annual Revenue	Typical Premium	Recommended Coverage
Freelance decorator	Under $100K	$500 – $1,500/yr	E&O + GL
Solo firm with subs	$100K – $300K	$1,500 – $3,500/yr	BOP + E&O
Small design studio (2-5)	$300K – $1M	$3,000 – $7,000/yr	BOP + E&O + Inland Marine
Established firm	$1M+	$7,000 – $15,000/yr	Full commercial package

Key pricing factors: annual revenue, number of projects, project values, whether you manage subcontractors, and claims history.

→ Get a personalized quote based on your firm size and revenue

Common Claims Interior Decorators Face

Design Error Claims: A client hired you to redesign their office. You recommended a flooring material that warped within 6 months. The client sues for the cost of replacement plus lost business during repairs. Your E&O policy covers the $45,000 claim.

Property Damage: While supervising an installation, your team scratches a client's hardwood floor. General liability covers the $8,000 repair cost.

Subcontractor Issues: You hired a painter who used the wrong product, causing fumes that required the client to vacate for two days. Your general liability responds to the claim for hotel costs and inconvenience.

Client Injury: A client trips over material samples you left in their hallway during a consultation. General liability covers their medical bills.

How to Reduce Your Insurance Costs

Written contracts — clearly define project scope, material selections, and liability limits with every client
Document everything — keep photos, emails, and signed approvals for all design decisions
Vet subcontractors — require certificates of insurance from painters, installers, and other trades
Maintain a portfolio — demonstrating experience and quality helps underwriters assess risk
Bundle policies — a BOP (GL + property) bundled with E&O typically saves 15–20% over separate policies

Do You Need Insurance for Home Staging?

Yes. Home staging carries similar risks to interior decorating — property damage during setup, injury claims from open house visitors, and liability for furnishings in someone else's property. A general liability policy with inland marine coverage is essential for staging businesses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is interior decorator insurance required by law?
General liability and workers comp (if you have employees) are required in most states. Many commercial clients and property managers also require E&O coverage and a certificate of insurance before you can start work.

Does my homeowners policy cover my decorating business?
No. Homeowners insurance excludes business activities. Even if you work from home, you need a separate business policy for professional liability protection.

What's the difference between interior decorator and interior designer insurance?
The coverage is essentially the same. Interior designers who stamp drawings or provide architectural specifications may need higher E&O limits due to the structural implications of their work.

Can I get coverage for a single project?
Some carriers offer project-specific policies, but an annual policy is almost always more cost-effective if you take on more than 2–3 projects per year.

Ready to protect your design business? Compare quotes from Hartford, Hiscox, Chubb, and more — get your free quote in 60 seconds.

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