Nearly two-thirds of outdoor vendors reported weather-related damage to their own property in the past year, but one in four carry only general liability insurance that does not cover their booth, inventory, or equipment, according to a new survey released by Insurance Canopy. The report, Vendors vs the Storm: When Weather Gets in the Way of Selling at Events, is based on a survey of 700 U.S. outdoor vendors conducted between July 31 and August 20, 2026.
The findings highlight a critical gap between the insurance vendors are required to carry and the protection their businesses actually need. While events often mandate liability coverage to protect against harm to others, that coverage typically does not extend to a vendor’s own property. As a result, many vendors may be forced to pay out of pocket for damaged equipment and lost inventory after a storm, flood, or high wind event.
“Outdoor vendors are building businesses around markets, festivals and community events, but weather can quickly turn a promising selling day into an unexpected financial setback,” said Daryle Stafford, CEO of Insurance Canopy. “What stood out to us is how many vendors are insured and still not covered for what a storm actually damages. Events typically require liability coverage, which protects against harm to others but doesn't necessarily cover a vendor's booth, equipment or inventory. We want vendors to understand that distinction and make informed decisions about protecting the businesses they've worked so hard to build before the next storm hits, not after.”
The survey reveals that weather is a recurring and costly challenge. Eighty-four percent of vendors said weather hurt their business in the past year through damage, lost sales, or both, and 66% reported weather-related damage to their own property. Forty-five percent of vendors are not confident they could absorb a $5,000 weather loss without serious financial harm, and 13% have seriously considered closing their business because of weather risk. Food and farm vendors were the most likely to suffer property damage (74% and 81%, respectively), yet they were also the best-insured category.
The report also underscores the value of proper coverage: 72% of vendors with property coverage recovered at least some of their last weather-related loss from an insurer or event organizer, compared with just 4% of vendors with no insurance. The survey was conducted by Insurance Canopy, a national leader in small business and vendor insurance solutions, and the full report is available through www.newmediawire.com.
