I'd love to hear from POs or wanna be POs on the subject of insurance. Has it been hard to get? Did you have to go to multiple sources to find someone who understands what you do and can provide insurance?

For those who have been in business awhile, have you seen rates rise? Did you try to shop around for lower rates?

This info is a big help to those thinking about being a PO and wondering what to do about insurance...and wondering if they need it. Thanks.

I didn't have trouble getting mine but I have heard recently from other POs that one of the big insurance companies cancelled their insurance. Others have said that there's an exclusion in their policies that limits them from doing any financial organizing.

I'm amazed at the very busy, successful, not new organizers who say they have no insurance and aren't worried about it. Huh? That's crazy. You have to protect yourselves!

A lot of POs I know went through NAPO for their insurance but mine is MUCH less than the NAPO one and I'm comfortable with the coverage.

I've had issues with my insurance company a number of times. The issue is they just have no idea WHAT professional organizers do. Its a difficult blend of contractor and interior designer.

The scary thing is to make sure I've explained it correctly and accurately enough to make sure I'm covered for everything I do.

Some things to ask your insurance person; are you covered if you accidentally break something that then breaks something else? For example, if you break a fish tank and then it floods the house, are you covered?

Are you covered for installing items such as shelves?

Are you covered for work done in your home office?

Make sure you clearly understand your policy. There is nothing worse than trying to figure it out when you are debating with a client.

Good points.

AND, you absolutely need to know if someone you take with you is covered. You get a really big job and ask someone you know to come and work with you. Are they covered if they break something? My insurance only allows me to use people who have insurance already and they have to prove they have it before they can go with me.

And something that Lea does that's a great idea is to put your insurance renewal on your calendar. So often something can fall between the cracks and we don't notice....like an insurance payment or a tax bill. Make sure you always have your most recent insurance information documentation.