Every booth needs a certificate.
General liability, product liability and booth equipment coverage for farmers market vendors, craft fair sellers, and the associations that run certified markets.
By Sam Alishahi · CA Insurance License #4348151 · Reviewed October 2026 · How this page is researched
Canopies, crowds and food you sell
Many markets require vendors to show a certificate of insurance naming the market, and often the city or lot owner too. The usual claims are canopies blowing into shoppers, trips over tent weights and cords, and illness from food or produce sold.
For vendors I write annual general and product liability that follows you to every market, so you aren't buying a new policy each weekend. For market operators I cover the site, volunteers, and directors and officers for association boards.
- General liabilityCanopy, table and trip injuries.
- Product liabilityIllness from food or produce you sell.
- Additional insuredsMarkets, cities and lot owners named.
- EquipmentTents, scales and coolers.
What underwriters will ask
Having these ready means I can go to market on the first call. The quote form asks for the same things, and anything you don’t know yet can wait.
- Role: vendor or market operator.
- Products: what you sell, and whether it's prepared food.
- Markets: how many and where.
- Setup: canopy, cooking, generators.
- Sales: annual figures.
- Certificates: every name to list.
Farmers market insurance, answered
Does one policy cover every market I sell at?
An annual vendor policy usually covers you at any location, with a certificate issued to each market. Check that each market's requirements are met.
Do I need product liability for produce?
Many markets require it. Illness from food or produce is a product claim, subject to the policy terms.
Who needs to be additional insured?
The market, and often the city, county or lot owner. Send me the market's insurance letter.
Doesn't the market's insurance cover vendors?
Usually not. Most markets require each vendor to carry their own.
Do you offer farmers market insurance outside California?
Yes. Clients across the country send the same quote form. Sam Alishahi is licensed in 48 states and Washington, DC and places policies there directly. In Florida and Washington, where Sam's licenses are still being issued, a partner agency in your state helps in the meantime. The shopping across carriers works the same way. Rules, minimums and markets differ by state — see insurance requirements by state.
Send the market's insurance letter. I'll shop it.
What you sell and where you sell it are enough to start.
Alishahi Insurance · Saman Alishahi, independent insurance broker, California License #4348151. General information, not a quote or a promise of coverage; coverage depends on underwriting and the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy actually issued.
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(877) 711-4545Answered 24/7 · CA License #4348151
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