molliepottery123 Posted June 15, 2022 Report Share Posted June 15, 2022 Hello, I am currently in the process of buying my first house. I had the intention to turn the cellar into a home studio, with my kiln and wheel in there. Currently I am struggling to find buildings insurance that will cover the kiln in the basement and the fact that it’s a room for my small business within the house. Does anyone have any experience in trying to obtain buildings insurance to cover your home studio? If so I would love to know which provider you went with! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted June 15, 2022 Report Share Posted June 15, 2022 State Farm typically doesn't care about kilns in the house, however since you're doing it as a home business and not just a hobby, that puts thing into a different category. However State Farm does offer business insurance, too, so I would check them out. Another option is to find a local insurance broker who can shop around for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted June 15, 2022 Report Share Posted June 15, 2022 Since you are in England I am on this side of the pond I'm not familiar enough with English insurers. I would shop this around to various companies. You could start out as a hobby and later switch to a business which may be easier with insurers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callie Beller Diesel Posted June 15, 2022 Report Share Posted June 15, 2022 (edited) I’m going to tag @Chilly and @PeterHin on this one. Being in Canada and the US, many of us don’t know how the insurance system works in England, but I’m hoping those two regular contributors might have better insight. I’ve also got an ask in to an expat friend on Facebook, and I’ll report back if I get anything helpful from her. Edited June 15, 2022 by Callie Beller Diesel Added a thought Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted June 15, 2022 Report Share Posted June 15, 2022 Oops! I missed that you're in England. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callie Beller Diesel Posted June 16, 2022 Report Share Posted June 16, 2022 Okay! I heard back from my expat friend. She said that the best route might be to find an insurance broker. They’ll have access to policies from several different insurance companies, and they usually can find you the best rates and accommodate unusual situations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molliepottery123 Posted June 16, 2022 Author Report Share Posted June 16, 2022 Ah brillIant, thanks for the advice, I’m off to find an insurance broker! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chilly Posted June 16, 2022 Report Share Posted June 16, 2022 My kiln is in my greenhouse. TBH I'd never thought about telling my insurance company that I have it. I don't use it for business, it's hobby only, and as it runs off a 13amp plug/socket, it is less power than a domestic oven. My best suggestion for insurance would be a broker, but they'll probably never have heard of a kiln. (I tried to get insurance some years back to cover my cycle training business and no-one would touch it, except for Cycles UK). Or the NFU as they deal with farm and other rural properties, so might be more clued up. Or someone like Potterycrafts or Essex Kilns, or similar ceramics based business might have some idea. Also, are you a member of any pottery associations? I'm a member of Anglian Potters, so I'll ask the question on their FB group. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chilly Posted June 16, 2022 Report Share Posted June 16, 2022 Oh, and buildings insurance is for for the fabric of the building plus permanent fixtures like kitchen units and sanitaryware. Your kiln will need to be covered by contents insurance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted June 17, 2022 Report Share Posted June 17, 2022 You'll also want to be insured for product liability, in case someone is ever hurt by one of your pots. And if you're selling them at art fairs, etc, then you'll want to be covered for damage there, in case your canopy ever goes flying during a wind storm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chilly Posted June 17, 2022 Report Share Posted June 17, 2022 Two suggestions from Anglian Potters - NFU and https://www.a-n.co.uk/about/insurance/ Callie Beller Diesel 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Famulenu Posted February 14, 2023 Report Share Posted February 14, 2023 (edited) Hi there! Congrats on buying your first house and turning the cellar into a home studio! I can imagine that it's been a bit of a struggle trying to find the right buildings insurance to cover your kiln and small business. I don't have any personal experience with this, but I did come across financial solutions for medical professionals and thought it might be worth checking out. They specialize in helping medical professionals with their insurance needs, so maybe they could help you find the right coverage for your home studio. Good luck with your search! Edited February 20, 2023 by Famulenu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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