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event insurance

What is Special Event Insurance?

Event insurance is designed to help protect an insured’s investment in certain occasions. This ranges from weddings, birthday parties, trade shows, concerts, and other special events. Specifically, special event insurance is a type of liability coverage that applies to claims made by third parties for bodily injury or property damage that occurs during an event. This type of coverage must be purchased before an event takes place and is relatively inexpensive. Compared to the financial burden you can put on your shoulders without insurance if things don’t go as planned, paying the small cost of coverage is a no-brainer. 

What Could Go Wrong?

In short, anything and everything could go wrong when it comes to running an event so being protected is important. We live in a world full of unplanned and unforeseen events and the last thing you want to be is unprepared. An accident can occur at almost any type of special event. A guest might slip and fall, and sustain an injury. A fight could break out between two or more attendees, resulting in injuries to those fighting or to innocent bystanders. A stage could collapse, causing injuries to performers or guests. A guest might become intoxicated and cause an auto accident while driving home. An employee of yours could accidentally damage property belonging to the venue owner. Any of these incidents could result in a claim against your company.

Why Buy Event Insurance?

Buying event insurance is typically required by event venues. But even without the requirement, the need for coverage is still a necessity if you are an individual or business that plans to hold an event and is susceptible to claims or suits by injured attendees. Legal claims against you can be costly, particularly for a small business. If you have no liability insurance, you will then have to pay these claims out of pocket.

Types Of Event Insurance

General Liability Insurance is just one form of coverage. If your business is already insured under a general liability policy, it may still need other policies. This is dependent upon the length of coverage in their existing policy, type of event they are holding, and degree of protection.

Other popular forms of event insurance include:

Cancellation Insurance

For most venues, once you set the date for your event, and submit the deposit, everything is final. But we all know that things can happen, even on the date of your event. Cancellation is needed for those unplanned cases. This coverage is not available under standard liability policies. Its insurance that includes coverage for cancellation and postponement can protect against lost deposits and fees for rescheduling. Depending on the policy, covered causes may include severe weather, terrorism, non-appearance of a key performer, or a fire at the venue. 

Liquor Liability Insurance

You may intend to have liquor at your event. If this is the case, you will need liquor liability insurance. You can safeguard your business from the possibility of lawsuits from injuries. 

Exclusions Do Apply

Special event insurance policies may have exclusions on the type of events and specific activities they will not cover. Many special event policies are issued on standard ISO liability forms. The policy typically includes an endorsement that restricts coverage to the event and date described in the endorsement. Policies generally exclude activities like those listed below:

  • Firearms
  • Rodeos
  • Sporting Events (may be subject to additional exclusions or limitations)
  • Fireworks
  • Bungee Jumping
  • Trampolines
  • Aerial Maneuvers
  • Amusement devices

The venue owner will likely require you to provide a certificate of liability insurance. The rental contract may require you to include the venue owner as an additional insured under your liability policy. The contract may also require a waiver of subrogation.

Quick and Easy Purchase Process

Eventsured provides the easiest online platform for securing event insurance. Coverage can be quoted and bound within minutes. You can also speak to one of our agents to walk you through the application process as well. Here are some examples of the types of information you may be asked to provide:

  • Event Location
  • Number of Attendees
  • Length of Coverage
  • Type of Event
  • All Event Dates
  • Coverage Options
  • And More Depending On Your Type Of Event

We look forward to providing coverage for your next event!
Photo by Photos by Lanty on Unsplash

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Comments (12)

  • Ken Hirlinger Reply

    Do you have an insurance policy for events that includes financial coverage of the event…i.e not liability coverage but “risk” coverage?

    March 6, 2020 at 1:08 pm
    • Katie Gorman Reply

      Hello Ken,
      We primarily provide liability coverage for special events. We do offer Cancellation Insurance but only for Weddings. For more information, please call 888-882-5902 or email [email protected] to speak with one of our representatives!
      Thank you!

      March 11, 2020 at 8:49 pm
  • Shirley LIpstone Reply

    My daughter is not getting married till May 30th, but perhaps I need Cancellation Insurance.
    Please call me or let me know.

    thank you,

    March 17, 2020 at 9:39 pm
  • Melinda Miller Reply

    Hi I am a small buisness who puts on musical theater camps with a highschool. It is 2 weeks of the camp with a certain amount of teens and then 2 performances. What kind of insurance would I need?

    February 24, 2022 at 2:59 pm
  • Pam Coirmier Reply

    Pageant attentees 100 people May 4th 2023
    Kid’s for a Cause
    Pageant
    Proceeds will go to non profit organization

    September 28, 2023 at 1:37 pm
    • Megan Doherty Reply

      A representative will reach out shortly to get you a quote.

      September 28, 2023 at 5:59 pm
  • Bob Dowd Reply

    I have personal liability coverage through a rider on my home owners insurance. However, I need liability coverage for the DJ. Can I buy the event coverage to cover the DJ at the venue or does the DJ have to buy it?
    Thanks.

    January 29, 2024 at 7:05 pm
    • Megan Doherty Reply

      Great questions! Your DJ would need to purchase it themselves with their information listed as the event vendor. If you have any other questions, let us know!

      January 29, 2024 at 8:19 pm
  • Jennifer Hodgins Reply

    I am a wedding florist and would like to know if your company offers liability insurance for vendors like myself.

    February 6, 2024 at 11:45 pm
    • Megan Doherty Reply

      We do cover wedding florists as a vendor! When choosing your event/vendor type simply select florist, and you will be all set. Let us know if you have any other questions!

      February 7, 2024 at 2:17 pm
  • Bernard Weil Reply

    question, An event venue asks us to sign a contract with a broad indemnity clause in their favor, How fully are we protected by one of the offered policies? Remaining exposure?

    June 7, 2024 at 9:58 pm
    • Megan Doherty Reply

      Hi Bernard,
      Our policy protects against injuries that might occur at the event like medical payments or lawsuit. It also protects against damage to the rented property, and our liquor liability coverage helps protect you from incidents involving drunk party goers. Both property damage and liquor liability include fees related to lawsuits. If you give us a call (888-882-5902), we can go over specific incidents you have questions about.

      June 10, 2024 at 1:38 pm

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