Upholsterers Insurance

female business owner protected by upholsterers insurance

Cover Your Bases With Upholsterers Insurance

Your customers trust your skills and craftsmanship, but as an upholsterer, you know that not every project goes exactly as planned. The right insurance can help safeguard your business against accidental damage and unexpected setbacks.
 
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female business owner protected by upholsterers insurance

What Is Upholsterers Insurance?

Upholsterers insurance is made up of different types of business insurance coverages to help protect you from common risks in the retail industry. As a seasoned upholsterer, you know things can go wrong even on the best days. From your specialty tools going missing or delicate fabrics getting damaged in storage, these incidents can be costly and disruptive to your small business. With insurance, you can rest easy knowing you have coverage to help with the financial impact of claims, like:
 
  • Customer injury
  • Personal injury
  • Property damage
  • Stolen equipment

Why Might You Need Upholsterers Insurance?

You take every precaution to keep your workspace safe and ensure your projects are flawless, but accidents can still happen. Upholsterers insurance can help provide comprehensive protection for your business, so you don’t have to worry as you:
 
  • Replace or repair delicate fabrics
  • Pick up and deliver furniture to clients
  • Store costly tools, parts and materials
male small business owners protected by upholsterers insurance

Who May Need Upholsterers Insurance?

The Hartford designed its business insurance solutions with furniture restoration professionals in mind. Our coverages can help protect:
 
  • Independent upholsterers
  • Furniture repair shops
  • Custom upholstery businesses
  • Mobile upholstery services
  • Antique and restoration specialists
  • Interior designers offering upholstery services

What Type of Insurance Do I Need for an Upholstery Business?

Many upholsterers have a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) as the foundation of their insurance plan for the peace of mind it can provide. It includes three types of coverage to help protect your business from claims of bodily injury and property damage.

A BOP includes: 
 
General liability insurance to help protect your upholstery shop from claims that it caused bodily injury or property damage to others, like if you accidentally nick a client’s doorway while moving furniture.
 
Commercial property insurance to help protect your owned or rented building, as well as the tools, equipment, inventory and supplies you use to operate your upholstery shop. These can include:
 
  • Sewing machines
  • Workbenches
  • Upholstery foam, fabric and textiles
  • Staple guns
  • Scissors and rotary cutters
Business income insurance to help replace lost income if you can’t operate your upholstery business temporarily because of property damage caused by fire, theft or wind.
 
At The Hartford, we know that not all upholstery businesses have the same needs or face the same risks. That’s why we’ve made it easy for you to add other types of insurance to your BOP for well-rounded protection, including: 
 
Don't Let Unexpected Challenges Unravel Your Business
Get covered for the unique risks your business faces, so you can stay focused on your craft.
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How Much Does Upholstery Insurance Cost? 

Upholstery insurance costs vary because every business is unique. Some of the average costs The Hartford’s small business customers in this industry pay for common types of coverage are:**
 
  • BOP: $1,533 a year, or about $128 a month
  • Stand-alone general liability insurance: $633 a year, or about $53 a month
  • Workers’ compensation insurance: $5,098 a year, or about $425 a month
It’s important to remember that the cost of your upholstery insurance may be different than the average. That’s because every business owner has specific needs, and insurers may use several factors to determine rates. The best way to find out how much you’ll pay for insurance is to get a quote.
female and male small business owners happy to easily get upholsterer insurance

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Covering Your Operations

Whether it’s a delicate fabric repair or a full restoration, customers trust you to handle their materials expertly. But what happens if tools go missing or damaged inventory prevents you from working? Insurance can help protect your business, so you can focus on delivering top-notch service. 
Slip and fall claims are the third-most common type of claim that small business owners faced in 2025.1
general liability for upholsterers

General Liability Insurance

“An older customer tripped on the step coming into our shop and got hurt. He landed hard on his wrist, so we wanted to make sure he got medical care.”
 
General liability insurance helps cover claims that your upholstery business hurt somebody else. It can help pay their medical bills or your legal costs if you get sued.
EPLI for upholsterers

Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI)

“One of our employees accused a manager of unfair treatment, and we ended up in arbitration.”
 
Employment practices liability insurance (EPLI) helps protect your business from employment-related claims, like wrongful termination, discrimination and harassment. This coverage is included in a BOP with The Hartford. It can also help cover third-party claims filed by vendors or a customer.

Taking Care of Your Team

From selecting fabrics to handling customer orders and transporting furniture, your employees have a vital role in your upholstery business. However, workplace injuries or disputes can create unexpected challenges. The right insurance can help protect your team.
There were over 2.3 million work-related injury cases opened in 2023. Over 946,000 cases involved days away from work.2
workers compensation for upholsterers

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

“One of our workers threw out his back while lifting a heavy couch. He needed physical therapy and time off to recover.”
 
Workers’ compensation insurance gives your team benefits to help them recover from work-related injuries or illnesses. It can help pay their medical bills and replace lost wages if they can’t work. With The Hartford, your employees also have access to a network of over 1 million providers and 65,000 pharmacies.
commercial auto insurance for upholsterers

Commercial Auto Insurance

“One of my delivery workers rear-ended another car. The other driver had to go to the hospital, and their car had to be towed away.”
 
Commercial auto insurance helps cover the costs of an auto accident that occurs while you or an employee uses a company-owned vehicle for work.

Protecting Your Property

Your craft involves valuable tools and materials, from costly sewing equipment to one-of-a-kind furniture pieces. Insurance can help protect your inventory, workspace and tools, so you don’t have to worry about the what ifs.
There were over 110,000 nonresidential building fires in the U.S. in 2023.3
commercial property insurance for upholsterers

Commercial Property Insurance

“A fire caused smoke damage, and the sprinklers ruined our fabric inventory.”
 
Commercial property insurance helps protect your owned or rented building, as well as the equipment, tools, supplies and inventory you use to operate your upholstery business.
commercial property insurance for upholsterers

Business Income Insurance

“Someone broke into our shop and vandalized it, leaving a huge mess and tons of damage. We had to shut down for two weeks to make repairs.”
 
Business income insurance can help you continue paying ongoing expenses like rent, payroll and utilities when your business is unable to operate temporarily because of property damage from fire, theft, wind or vandalism. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Upholsterers Insurance

Upholsterers insurance is made up of different coverages to help protect your business from various claims, such as a customer getting injured in your workshop or accidentally damaging an antique chair during restoration. It can also help cover legal costs if you’re sued by an employee. If you or your team uses vehicles for work, insurance can also cover you in the event of an accident. Specialty coverage can even protect you from costly disruptions like data breaches if customer payment or design records are compromised. And, if your business can’t operate because of a covered event such as a fire, business income insurance can help you recoup lost revenue.
Upholsterer insurance helps cover the costs of property damage and liability claims. A single lawsuit could be financially devastating for a small business. Without the right coverage, you’d have to pay for costly legal fees and damages out of pocket, which could strain or even shut down your operations. Additionally, some states require you to have specific types of business insurance to stay compliant with regulations.
The best way to get upholsters insurance is get a quote from The Hartford. We make it easy for you to get a fast and free insurance quote online. In just a few minutes, you can find customized insurance solutions for the needs of your upholstery business.
female business owners happily works after getting upholsterers insurance quote

Upholsterers Insurance That Fits Your Business

Get the protection you need to keep serving your customers with confidence.
 
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Related Articles

 
 
Last Updated: February 24, 2026
 
1 The Hartford, “Water and Freezing Damage, Burglary Lead The Hartford’s Top Five Small-Business Claims,” Viewed January 2026
 
2 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Employer-Reported Workplace Injuries and Illnesses in 2023,” Viewed March 2025
 
3 U.S. Fire Administration, "Nonresidential Fire Estimate Summaries,” Viewed March 2025
** Costs, premiums, and coverages mentioned are estimates and are not guaranteed. Actual cost, premium, and coverage are determined at the time of quote or issue and are specific to an individual risk. Premiums are based on information provided to The Hartford, including, but not limited to, underwriting and rating criteria. All examples included on this website or in an advertisement are intended for informational purposes only and are not an offer or a guarantee of premium or coverage. Coverage and products described are subject to the terms and conditions found in the policy contract. Any educational information provided about available coverages does not modify the policy language or imply that any claim is covered. Products are not available in all states or for all businesses.
This page outlines in general terms the coverages that may be afforded under a policy from The Hartford. All policies must be examined carefully to determine suitability for your needs and to identify any exclusions, limitations or any other terms and conditions that may specifically affect coverage. In the event of a conflict, the terms and conditions of the policy prevail.
 
All Hartford coverages and services described on this page may be offered by one or more of the property and casualty insurance company subsidiaries of The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. In Arizona, California, New Hampshire, Texas, and Washington by Hartford Fire Insurance Company, Hartford Casualty Insurance Company, Hartford Accident & Indemnity Company, Hartford Underwriters Insurance Company, Twin City Fire Insurance Company, Pacific Insurance Company, Limited, Sentinel Insurance Company, LTD (CA license #8701), Hartford Lloyd's Insurance Company, Hartford Insurance Company of Illinois, Hartford Insurance Company of the Midwest, Trumbull Insurance Company, Hartford Insurance Company of the Southeast, and Property & Casualty Insurance Company of Hartford and its property and casualty insurance company affiliates, One Hartford Plaza, Hartford, CT 06155.
 
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The Hartford shall not be liable for any damages in connection with the use of any information provided on this page. Please consult with your insurance agent/broker or insurance company to determine specific coverage needs as this information is intended to be educational in nature.
 
The information contained on this page should not be construed as specific legal, HR, financial, or insurance advice and is not a guarantee of coverage. In the event of a loss or claim, coverage determinations will be subject to the policy language, and any potential claim payment will be determined following a claim investigation.
 
Certain coverages vary by state and may not be available to all businesses. All Hartford coverages and services described on this page may be offered by one or more of the property and casualty insurance company subsidiaries of The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. listed in the Legal Notice.
 
The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc., (NYSE: HIG) operates through its subsidiaries under the brand name, The Hartford, and is headquartered in Hartford, CT. For additional details, please read The Hartford’s Legal Notice.
 
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