Specific exhibition damage cover limit
Source: AXA
covering up to £5,000 in case of theft or damage
Artists
Claims AXA makes that competitors do not (1)
Claims competitors make that AXA does not (6)
Professional indemnity insurance for negligence claims
Source: Hiscox
Professional indemnity insurance can protect an artist by helping with legal fees and financing compensation demands
Product liability insurance for created items
Source: Hiscox
product liability insurance helps defend against complaints related to items you've created
Cyber insurance availability
Source: Hiscox
Other relevant policies for an artist include cyber insurance, property insurance for your studio and personal accident cover
Personal accident cover for freelancers
Source: Hiscox
personal accident cover, which can provide economic reassurance for freelance creatives
Special exhibition insurance for event cancellation
Source: Hiscox
our special exhibition insurance, which may be particularly useful if your event is cancelled or disrupted
Coverage for burst pipe repair costs
Source: Hiscox
property insurance can cover the cost of locating burst pipes
Areas where AXA's language is weaker (4)
Professional indemnity/negligence protection
AXA says:
— nothing on this topic —Hiscox says:
Including professional indemnity insurance in your policy helps to protect your standing by funding a defence in such scenarios and reimbursing related expenses
Exhibition risk scenarios and detail
AXA says:
We'll pay you for damage to your work that occurs within any building you're exhibiting in, or if you're travelling to or from the exhibition
Hiscox says:
Art show organisers may also benefit from our special exhibition insurance, which may be particularly useful if your event is cancelled or disrupted
Specialist equipment coverage detail
AXA says:
Got specialist equipment, like a kiln or a loom? Choose our cover for expensive fixtures and fittings
Hiscox says:
If you have valuable machinery, such as a kiln, loom, printing press or projector, then these are covered for damage from events such as fire and flood
Loss of earnings protection
AXA says:
if you suffer personal injury and are unable to work, we're able to cover you for loss of earnings
Hiscox says:
personal accident cover, which can provide economic reassurance for freelance creatives
Differentiation suggestions (5)
Explicitly add professional indemnity insurance to the core product offering and lead with it in marketing copy, positioning AXA as protecting artists against client disputes and negligence claims
Hiscox leads with professional indemnity as a key differentiator for artists receiving payment for services. AXA currently omits this entirely, leaving a material gap in a high-value risk category for commissioned artists
Introduce and prominently feature special exhibition insurance covering event cancellation and disruption, not just damage in transit
Hiscox explicitly offers exhibition cancellation cover as a distinct product. AXA's current £5,000 damage limit does not address business interruption risk, which is material for artists relying on exhibition income
Expand specialist equipment coverage messaging to specify perils covered (fire, flood, theft) and add printing press and projector to the example list alongside kiln and loom
Hiscox provides concrete peril examples and a broader equipment list. AXA's 'expensive fixtures and fittings' language is vague; specificity would increase confidence in coverage adequacy
Add product liability insurance as a standalone option for artists who create and sell physical items
Hiscox explicitly covers product liability for created items. AXA does not mention this, missing protection for artists selling artwork that could cause injury or damage
Introduce cyber insurance and personal accident cover as optional add-ons in the product suite, with brief explanatory copy on why they matter to artists
Hiscox positions these as relevant to modern artist businesses. AXA's omission suggests a narrower product range and may signal lower sophistication to digitally-engaged creative professionals