Liability Insurance

Liability Insurance for Santas,
Mrs. Claus and Helpers

NOTE:  REALSANTAS.COM AND THE KRINGLE GROUP DO NOT SUPPLY INSURANCE.  We are not an insurance agency and it is against state and federal laws for a talent agency or entertainment agency to charge contract talent for a service.  Even the major Photo companies can on insure their employees and cannot sell insurance to contract entertainers.  We can collect fees or commissions only when we get you a job. We hope the following will answer your qestions on where you might be able to get the insurance.

All Santas, Mrs. Claus and event talent are required to have both a current background check and a minimum $1million liability insurance coverage.  These are obtained via most Santa and Talent associations.  A certificate of insurance (COI) must be issued nameing RealSantas.com & The Kringle Group, 20 Kent Place, Amity Harbor, NY, 11701.

The information listed here is from the various non-profit associations and insurance agencies around the U.S. that offer insurance for Santas, Mrs. Claus and Holiday professionals.   It is subject to change by either the associations or agencies that offer these services and I assume no responsibility should they make changes to what is listed here.  So please check with them before you buy.  Also check with your own local association and see what they have to offer.

I do not make any suggestions on what background check or insurance you should get and please do not contact me asking for advice on who to choose.  I only collect this information to make it easier for you to decide.

Should you find out, or know that something listed here is incorrect, or has changed, or if you know of another source that I should add to this list, I invite you to let me know so that I can keep this page updated with the most correct information.  Remember it must be a legitimate non-profit association or licensed insurance agent.  Email me at: Santa@TheKringleGroup.com

 

Why Liability Insurance?

Entertainer or Performer Liability Insurance is protection or coverage for you the entertainer.  It is to protection for you should there be any accident or situation where you are appearing or working.  If someone gets hurt, they may want compensations or seek damages against you.  Even if you are volunteering to perform or appear, you are open to liability should something happen.  Even if it is not your fault, someone could try to sue you.

RealSantas.com, generally requires that everyone we sub-contract, or refer to a client, be covered by some form of entertainer, performer or business liability insurance. This includes Santas, entertainers, photographers, helpers, etc.

A child slips off your knee, trips over your boots, chokes on a candy cane or cookie, stares at you while walking by and trips over another child!  All of these have been grounds for lawsuits.

The Kringle Group, LLCRealSantas.com and other clients will often request a Certificate of Insurance (COI), naming them on the policy.  If you are booked or contracted by my company, RealSantas.com, Prior to appearing or performing, you must supply me with a certificate listing the following as a named insured:

The Kringle Group, LLC
dba: RealSantas.com
85 Rumford Road
Kings Park, NY 11754

Sometimes the location where you are working, may also ask for a COI naming them the property where you are appearing and even the landlord or management company.  That is why it is important to select an insurance company who will not charge you for additional certificates.

Some insurance companies will charge a $25 or $30 fee for each additional COI.   These costs could add up.  So check around before buying your insurance.  You want to make sure you have insurance from a company that will supply all the certificates you need for free, at no extra charge.

Entertainer’s liability insurance is now required by almost every commercial venue where you might work. And, for your own protection you should also have insurance for those private parties and social events you attend.  Even if  you are a volunteer Santa or performer, and the event is a non-profit  or not-for-profit event where you are donating your services, you still need to protect yourself, should an accident happen.   Even if you are not a party to an accident, someone may try to include you in their claims following an accident.

Where to get Liability Insurance

There are two ways to obtain this insurance.

  1. You can contact your business or personal insurance agent and ask them to add, “Entertainer’s or Performer’s Liability” coverage to your business or homeowners insurance.  But double check this add-on.  Often homeowners policies only cover you when you are in your home and does not cover you when you are getting paid for a job.  Sometime it will cover you only when volunteering.
  2. You can purchase insurance through an Entertainment Insurance Broker or a non-profit association.  And I have listed some of the most popular below.

Entertainer or Performer Liability insurance is to protect you.  The general minimum is $1-million $2-million in liability insurance, with options for $2 million, $3 million and even $5 million through most associations,  Insurance usually costs somewhere between $120.00 and $215.00.

The following insurance agencies and non-profit associations offer policies to protect you and in some cases extend the coverage to your spouse, a helper and even offer various additional coverage.  You may also be able to obtain your insurance through your own insurance agent or other sources.  At RealSantas.com all we require is proof of coverage from your insurance agency in the form of a COI.

We do not suggest or recommend one insurance company over another, but do know that each of the companies listed below offers some form of insurance.  In some cases, you will also have to join the non-profit  association that is offering the insurance.  Check around and ask other Santas and entertainers, or contact your own insurance agent and ask about getting entertainer or performer’s liability insurance.  Be informed.

Should you have any question on these insurance carriers, please contact them direct.   I really cannot answer anything other than what they have given me and that you are reading here.  My company cannot offer insurance as it is against state and federal laws for any talent agency to charge any fees to contract  entertainment, other than booking fees or commissions for a job you are booked for.

BE CAREFUL ON THE DATES OF COVERAGE FOR  YOUR INSURANCE!  Most Policies are from October 1 through September 30 of the following year.  So you should wait until Oct 1 to purchase.   If you purchase in August, your policy may expire September 30 and you will still have to re-purchase in October.

NOTE: Do not think that you can buy insurance from one of the associations without belonging to that association.  Purchasing the insurance and not joining, invalidates your coverage!  Policies through a Santa Association are only good when you are a member of that association.  Should you have an accident or situation and need the insurance, it will not cover you if you are not an approved, current, dues paying member.  

 

 

IBRBS – International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas –  Please visit  web site for the most current details:  https://www.ibrbsantas.org/

Option #1           $170.00 per Santa  $2 million aggregate coverage / $1 million per occurrence – Assistant $80
Option #2          $193.00 per Santa     $4 million aggregate coverage / $2 million per occurrence –  Assistant $85

  • via Kaercher Campbell & Associates and Philadelphia Insurance Companies.
  • Must be a member of IBRBS.  Dues are $25 a year.
  • Coverage this year is October 1, through August 31 next year.  This is only eleven months as they are re-staging their insurance to be from Sept. 1 to Sept. 1 each year.  The coverage is your personal total coverage, no sharing with other Santas or entertainers.
  • $100,000.00 coverage on damages to premises rented by you.  $15,000.00 bodily injury by animal occurrence/ $30,000.000 aggregate
  • If you get an approved background check through IBRBS, $5, and pass, Kaercher Campbell will add, Abuse & Molestation Coverage sublimit  “$100,000 occurrence/$300,000 aggregate per insured IBRBS member”
  • Coverage is for work in the United States only.
  • Coverage only covers you when performing in costume as Santa or Mrs. Claus, Elf etc.  No other non-Christmas character, i.e. clown, face painter, Easter bunny, Magician, etc..
  • Spouse or Assistant can be added when purchased at the same time.
  • Injury to yourself or other performers is not covered
  • No charge for any certificates (COI) naming additional insured’s
  • Allow ten days to confirm getting coverage.

For additional information please visit the IBRBS Website: http://www.ibrbsantas.org/

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FORBS Santas –    California, Arizona and Nevada Santas.   Please visit their web site for the most current info: http://forbsantas.com/  

 Option #1           $185.00 per Santa  $2 million aggregate coverage / $1 million per occurrence – Assistant $80

Option #2          $210.00 per Santa     $4 million aggregate coverage / $2 million per occurrence –  Assistant $85

  • via Kaercher Campbell & Associates and Philadelphia Insurance Companies.
  • Must be a member of FORBS Dues are $25 a year.
  • Coverage is October 1, through September 30 next year.  This is your personal total coverage, no sharing with other Santas or entertainers.
  • $100,000.00 coverage on damages to premises rented by you.  $15,000.00 bodily injury by animal occurrence/ $30,000.000 aggregate
  • If you get an approved background check through Intellicorp (approximately $19.95) and pass, Kaercher Campbell will add, Abuse & Molestation Coverage sublimit  “$100,000 occurrence/$300,000 aggregate per insured IBRBS member”
  • Coverage is for work in the United States only.
  • Coverage only covers you when performing in costume as Santa or Mrs. Claus, Elf etc.  No other non-Christmas character, i.e. clown, face painter, Easter bunny, Magician, etc..
  • Spouse or Assistant can be added when purchased at the same time.
  • Injury to yourself or other performers is not covered
  • No charge for any certificates (COI) naming additional insured’s
  • Allow ten days to confirm getting coverage.

For additional information please visit the FORBS Website: http://www.forbssantas.com

K & K Insurance – Offers policies from $1 million to $5 million per occurrence.  Visit their website for all details

$1 million per occurrence / $5 million total coverage        $200 per person       No Dues
$2 million per occurrence/ $5 million total coverage         $300 per person       No Dues
$3 million per occurrence / $5 million total coverage        $300 per person       No Dues
$4 million per occurrence / $5 million total coverage        $300 per person       No Dues
$5 million per occurrence/ $5 million total coverage         $300 per person       No Dues

This is year-round insurance for any appearance as any type of character or entertainer.

  • You can buy your insurance on-line: http://www.kandkinsurance.com/Entertainment/Pages/Entertainers-Performers.aspx
  • You can specify the date you wish coverage to start
  • One/five million personal/individual coverage for  $200.00 a year, incomes under $30,000.  This is your personal total coverage, no sharing with other Santas or entertainers.  Larger policies available as shown above.
  • Assistant or Spouse requires a second policy, so the cost is double
  • The rental premises coverage is $300,000
  • $5,000 medical expense or total medical payments coverage per incident.  This medical coverage is not for you or anyone working for or with you.  It is for a child or guest who gets hurt as a result of your action.
  • Coverage is for  United States only.
  • NO Abuse or Molestation coverage
  • No Charge for any certificates (COI) naming additional insured’s, Injury to yourself or other performers is not covered.

LSS – Lone Star Santas – representing the Santas of Texas   Option #1           $185.00 per Santa  $2 million aggregate coverage / $1 million per occurrence – Assistant $80

Option #2          $210.00 per Santa     $4 million aggregate coverage / $2 million per occurrence –  Assistant $85

  • via Kaercher Campbell & Associates and Philadelphia Insurance Companies.
  • Must be a member of Lone Star Santas,  Dues are $50 first year members, $20 renewal.
  • Coverage is October 1, through September 30 next year.  This is your personal total coverage, no sharing with other Santas or entertainers.
  • $100,000.00 coverage on damages to premises rented by you.  $15,000.00 bodily injury by animal occurrence/ $30,000.000 aggregate
  • If you get an approved background check through ClearStar ($13.50) and pass, Kaercher Campbell will add, Abuse & Molestation Coverage sublimit  “$100,000 occurrence/$300,000 aggregate per insured IBRBS member”
  • Coverage is for work in the United States only.
  • Coverage only covers you when performing in costume as Santa or Mrs. Claus, Elf etc.  No other non-Christmas character, i.e. clown, face painter, Easter bunny, Magician, etc..
  • Spouse or Assistant can be added when purchased at the same time.
  • Injury to yourself or other performers is not covered
  • No charge for any certificates (COI) naming additional insured’s
  • Allow ten days to confirm getting coverage.
  • Background check via ClearStar for just $13.50

website: http://www.LoneStarSantas.org

 

Society Of Santa (SOS) –      Must join their association ($30) and have an FBI background check($18)  Insurance is $145.   Visit their web site for more details.

 

Specialty Insurance Agency   US and Canada coverage                      No Dues or Fees

  $155.00 per Santa    $310 per couple –  October 25 to April 25  (Reduced Premium)
 $220.00 per Santa    $440 per couple –  Full Annual Premium  April 25  to April 25.

  • Their link is: http://www.specialtyinsuranceagency.com/about-us.html
  • Coverage is from April 25 to April 25.
  • Three Million/Five Million Policy (Shared Limits)  This is the maximum coverage for all entertainers combined)
  • This is a Group Policy or Umbrella Policy which means that the total coverage is $5-million for the hundreds of Santas, Clowns and other entertainers who have to share the coverage.  Each incident or claim reduces the total coverage.
  • The rental premises coverage is $300,000.00
  • $5,000.00 medical coverage per incident.  This medical coverage is not for you or anyone working for or with you.  It is for a child or guest who gets hurt as a result of your action.
  • Coverage is for U.S. and Canada
  • NO Abuse or Molestation coverage
  • No Charge for certificates naming additional insured’s.  Injury to yourself or other performers is not covered.

 

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This page was last edited June 22, 2015
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