How Much for the Insurance?

The Insurance Information Institute says most homeowner policies provide liability coverage should someone get hurt while browsing through a garage or yard sale.

The New York-based trade group warns, though, that coverage applies so long as the sales don’t become a regularly scheduled, profit-making event. Insurers also don’t provide warranty coverage for garage-sale merchandise.

Garage sales involving a number of neighbors may also not be covered by a typical policy if the organizers receive a substantial sum of money. But if the sale benefits a charitable organization, the event likely will be covered by the homeowners’ policy, the institute says.