Public Liability for amateur Face painter

minimooch

I do face painting for a hobby, and am often asked to paint at the parties of my friends children. I love to do this, but I am concerned that at parties I am frequently painting the faces of children, whose parents i do not know. Although I pride myself on using professional methods and materials (and have been trained) which make any problems unlikely, I am very concerned about the possibiltiy of being sued if a child should have a bad reaction. I cant seem to find any website that will quote me for PLI for face painters. I could join the Face painters association but that is quite expensive and I'm not sure I am talented enough.

Anybody know anyone who covers face painting, or failing that maybe childrens entertainers?

Does anyone know if it matters if I am charging or not? I normally dont make a charge, but am thinking of charging friends of friends who ask me, to cover costs inc. PLI.

a11waysindebt

I've just checked the face website.Personally I would jump at the insurance for that price.

mattymoo

£116 including the membership (insurance part is £70) is a bargain as a11waysindebt says.

Most commercial insurers these days have a minimum premium of £250 these days because it is not worth their while in terms of admin costs and paperwork otherwise.
The £70 price is on a special scheme and they have clearly got more buying clout doing it this way hence the low price.

minimooch

problem with FACE is you have to pass a test, and i dont think I am talented enough to do it, although if it really is the best deal I guess shall have to try. It does seem more aimed at professionals which I certainly am not.

sigh - was hoping that as I wasnt a business i might be able to get it at a reasonable rate, ie sub £100, guess not.

The whole thing about needing PLI does drive me mad tho

abimonster02

Try blackfriars insurance. I think they are based in Cheshire. If you ggogle it you should get their contact details.

hth

raineshoe

Towergate also do insurance for face painters. Even if doing friends faces you should have PLI as no matter how friendly if there is an accident they will in this day and age sue. You could lose your house over it and its not worth it.

See also www.fpi-org.uk (I think thats the right link) and www.facepaintingchat.co.uk for more help and info.

Debt_Free_Chick

Do you charge?

If not and it's just a hobby, with no payment, try your home/contents insurer. A long shot but they might add it to your home/contents policy ...

simplepete

I am a professional face painter, and also with Blackfriars.

whether you charge or not, you NEED insurance. If there's an accident, or an allergy, unfortunately people don't think twice about suing. You need to have a very professional mind when face painting, even if you're doing it as a hobby, its someones child's face you're dabbling with afterall!!!

definately reccommend you visit us at facepaintingchat! You'll learn a lot xxx

nifty_noodler

How much typically does it cost for a years cover with blackfriars? I have been face painting for a while and have started being asked if I have PLI and I am doing an event coming up and need to have it for that.

I use snazaroo face paints and was also wondering if anyone knows of a cheap online site I can use to buy paints. I have recently bought some more to stock up adhead of next weeks event ....I paid £25 for 9 colours (18ml )
This included 2 sparkle and 1 x metalic colours. Didn't think this was bad?

raineshoe

Varies from about £70.00 for 1 million £90.00 for 2 million and more for 5 million.

You should not be doing corporate or other paid work without insurance. It is highly irresponsible. As said above visit www.facepaintingchat.co.uk for a lot of help and advice for face painting which will set you on the right track. Also try www.funtimefaces.co.uk or www.facepaintingdesigns.co.uk for Snazaroo.

There are also lots of other good brands of paints which if you visit FPC you would learn about.

The_PA

Hi, if you look on the 'face' website you will see that they use Towergate. I recently got a £2m policay with them for £80.00 Also be aware that if you are charging you are technically classed as self employed so you need to register with the inland revenue and do a tax return. This applies even if you make very little profit. I had to do this when I started charging for facepainting. The previous reply shows facepaintingdesigns as a good website for snazaroo - I have looked around and for me their prices are best. Delivery is also very good.