Your design, their home.
Professional liability for design mistakes, general liability for on-site damage, and coverage for furniture and decor you buy, store or stage for clients.
By Sam Alishahi · CA Insurance License #4348151 · Reviewed October 2026 · How this page is researched
Advice, orders and other people's furniture
Designers get sued for two kinds of things. One is advice: a measurement that's off, a material that doesn't suit the space, a budget overrun the client blames on you. The other is physical: scratching a floor while hanging art, or a ladder that tips in a client's living room.
Stagers and decorators add a third: furniture and decor that belongs to you or the client, sitting in a warehouse, a truck or a listed home. I combine professional liability, general liability and inland marine so each piece has a home.
- Professional liabilityClaims your design, specs or advice caused a financial loss.
- General liabilityProperty damage and injuries at a client's home or office.
- Inland marineStaging inventory and client goods in storage or transit.
- Hired and non-owned autoLiability when you drive your own car to jobs.
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.
- Services: design, decorating, staging or purchasing.
- Clients: residential, commercial or both.
- Contracts: whether you hire or manage contractors.
- Inventory: value of staging pieces and where they're stored.
- Revenue: annual fees and product sales.
- History: current policies and any past claims.
Interior designer insurance, answered
Do I need professional liability if I don't sign plans?
Clients can still claim your advice cost them money. Professional liability often responds to those claims, subject to the policy terms.
Is staging furniture covered in a listed home?
Inland marine can cover your pieces at other locations and in transit. Theft from vacant homes may have conditions.
What if I manage the contractors?
Managing trades can look like general contracting. Tell me how you work so the policy matches.
Is California certification required?
California has a voluntary Certified Interior Designer title under state law. It isn't a contractor license.
Do you offer interior designer 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.
Official sources
Tell me how you design. I'll shop it.
Services, revenue and staging inventory 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.
Tell me how to reach you. I’ll take it from there.
Takes about 30 seconds. Your application link comes by email right away, and you get an update at every step until your quotes are ready.
(877) 711-4545Answered 24/7 · CA License #4348151
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Tell me when your policy renews and I’ll email you about six weeks before, when it’s worth comparing. One email, no calls.