Home Studio (Liability & Insurnace)

[cali4niachef]

Hi! We are converting our attached garage into my office/studio.

My office/studio wont be dedicated just to photography because I have many "jobs".

Im a doula, childbirth educator, encapsulate placentas(for those scratching their heads in confusion read MORE) and herbalist in training! Anyway it will be a work area for me to do photography, make herbal products, childbirth education and encapsulate placentas.

My question is once you use part of your home to meet with clients I know you need to contact your home owners insurance to get permission or add it on to your home owners insurance. What about liability? You also need to contact your town/city you live in to get permission right?


Thanks!

[BK553]

Liability is a good idea, and can be added to your homeowners policy. You should definitely check with local/city regulations too, especially if your going to be processing human placentas in the same space.

[cali4niachef]

Originally Posted by BK553

Liability is a good idea, and can be added to your homeowners policy. You should definitely check with local/city regulations too, especially if your going to be processing human placentas in the same space.

Don't even get me started on that!

I called the state health department, emailed them info on how some other states handle it and heard nothing in return. I know its "unique" to say the least but most states have no regulations on it. Anyway most of the "issue" is when it comes to transporting it in raw form, which is easily resolved by clients dropping it off to me.

[theosus]

If you don't already have one, likely you need a business license. Check with your city, county and state. A chamber of commerce likely will be able to tell you exactly what you need. You definitely need to talk with your homeowners insurance people about all your activities. Processing body bits and having a home office is definitely something they need to know about. I'm not sure how you go about encapsulating a placenta (and believe me it's absolutely something I don't want to know about) but if there's any chance your insurance company will leave you hanging in a lawsuit, they will.

[dakwegmo]

Originally Posted by BK553

Liability is a good idea, and can be added to your homeowners policy.

A lot of home owner's policies don't cover businesses run out of your home, so you should definitely check with your insurance company about what's covered and what isn't.

[candleman]

Originally Posted by dakwegmo

A lot of home owner's policies don't cover businesses run out of your home, so you should definitely check with your insurance company about what's covered and what isn't.

+1

I know from a discussion from another forum you may have to get a permit from your city to have clients coming to you. (depending on the state/city)
It can be a disturbance to the residents, parking problems, potential for injury... etc. etc.

[cali4niachef]

Thanks guys!