Freelance Liability Insurance

Whatever your profession, you should protect yourself and your freelance work.

Freelance liability insurance provides coverage for self-employed professionals that provide a service or product.

Trusted by over 300,000 Canadian small business owners!

Save up to 35% on your insurance

Get the best insurance quote in a few clicks!

Trusted by over 300,000 Canadian small business owners!

Save up to 35% on your insurance

Get the best insurance quote in a few clicks!

Get a Free Quote

Partnerships with over 50 leading Canadian insurance providers

Insurance for freelancers

As a freelancer, you might be lucky enough to have the luxury of working on your own terms – choosing your schedule and working with the clients you want. Even if your business isn’t quite that successful, freelancing likely gives you the ability to shape your workday. It’s essential to recognize that an accident could happen despite the attention and control over your work, or you may find yourself being accused of negligence.

Whether you have a self-employed business or you’re just making a little extra money from freelancing, it’s vital to set yourself up for success – even if something should go wrong. An insurance policy built around your services will give you peace of mind, so you can continue doing what you love.

What is freelancer insurance?

A freelance insurance policy is specifically designed for self-employed freelancers across a variety of industries that typically earn a living on a per-project basis. This liability policy protects you and your business against risks associated with freelance work, such as negligence, failure to deliver services, third-party property damage or bodily injury.

What does it cover?

We know freelance work comes in all shapes and sizes – a freelance writer would require different coverage from a freelancing web developer, for example. However, we know what it takes to find the perfect coverage for your business. We’ve listed the following core coverages that should cover the risks you are most likely to face:

Professional Liability Insurance: Also known as Errors and Omissions (E&O) Insurance, this coverage protects against claims alleging negligence, misconduct, or failure to deliver a service as promised. Professional liability insurance is important if a client explicitly relies on your professional expertise – think of a graphic designer, copywriter, or makeup artist. This insurance may cover legal and other related costs in the event of financial loss due to your negligence or error. For example, say you’re a freelance translator translating a new website for a client. Being accused of incorrectly translating some of the copy after customers complain they’re unable to understand the wording. Should the client decide to sue you for your negligence, professional liability insurance could cover the legal fees and monetary judgement.

Cyber Liability Insurance: Cyber security is increasingly important for businesses of all sizes, even freelancers. Cyber liability insurance provides financial coverage against cybercrime involving your technology and customer data, such as financial information. Suppose your customer data is compromised due to a phishing hack; cyber liability insurance may cover customer notification costs, legal expenses, and risk management fees.

Product Liability Insurance: If you sell, manufacture, or distribute items, product liability insurance is critical to have. This coverage provides financial protection if third-party property damage or bodily injury is caused due to a fault in your product. For example, say you’re a ceramic artist that’s been commissioned to make a set of coffee mugs. The client later complained that one of your coffee mugs had a crack in it and inevitably caused a burn from spilled coffee. In this case, should the client sue, product liability insurance could cover your legal defence fees and any monetary judgement against you.

Commercial Property Insurance: This insurance policy protects your physical location and your business’s physical assets – including equipment, technology, stock, and inventory. For example, say you’re a personal trainer freelancing from home, and your fitness equipment is destroyed in a fire. Commercial property insurance may provide financial coverage to repair or replace your damaged equipment.

How much does freelancer insurance cost?

Freelancer insurance will vary based on specific information about your work and the span of coverages needed. Generally speaking, insurance for freelancers starts from $350 to $500 per year for a professional liability insurance policy with a $1 million limit.

Here are some of the factors that are considered when determining your premium:

Annual and projected revenue
Industry and profession
Services and products offered
Training and years of experience
Your claims history

With Zensurance, you don’t need to shop around – we do the hard work for you. We partner with over 50 Canadian insurance providers to offer you different options that suit your business needs at the best price.

Do freelancers need insurance?

Freelance business insurance is recommended for any individual that provides a freelancing service.

Here are some of the specific types of freelancer businesses we cover:

Please note, that this list is not extensive.

If your trade isn’t on this list, please enter your occupation when getting a free quote with us. Chances are we can provide coverage for your specific service.

Getting insured is quick and easy!

Complete our 5-minute online application for a free freelance liability insurance quote.

Get a Free Quote

Common claims scenarios

Problem: In your free time, you’re a math tutor for K-12 students. When one of your students fails an exam after months of tuition, their parents sue you for not providing sufficient education.

Outcome: Your professional liability insurance could cover your legal defence fees, regardless of the outcome of the case.

Problem: You’re a freelance landscape contractor with many tools kept in your shed at home for business use. One night, your shed is vandalized and broken into. Your professional lawn mower and several other pieces of equipment are stolen.

Outcome: Your commercial property insurance could cover the cost to replace the stolen equipment.

Problem: You’re a woodworker that’s created a custom-made wooden tricycle for a child. The tricycle seat breaks when the child is riding it, and they severely injure their back.

Outcome: Your product liability insurance could cover the legal and medical fees of the claim.

Frequently asked questions

Does my home insurance cover my freelance business?Zensurance

Does my home insurance cover my freelance business?

It’s a common assumption that home-based small businesses are automatically covered by a homeowners policy, but that isn’t the case necessarily. Many homeowner’s policies exclude business-related claims or they’ll have a low monetary limit that can’t provide adequate coverage in the case of a claim.

If I’m travelling while working, am I still covered?Zensurance

If I’m travelling while working, am I still covered?

Typically, freelancer insurance policies will cover you for business-related activities within Canada. Some coverages, such as liability-based coverages can provide you with protection worldwide. To ensure your business is adequately covered whilst travelling, talk to one of our licensed brokers.

Does freelancer insurance cover my services on third-party marketplaces?Zensurance

Does freelancer insurance cover my services on third-party marketplaces?

Yes. Freelancer insurance covers your work on websites that you don’t own (for example, if you’re a freelance writer whose work is published on a third-party site, or you’re advertising your services on a marketplace website).