Do I need event insurance? This is a great question. A special event like a wedding, office holiday party or fundraiser golf tournament takes a tremendous amount of time energy and money to get off the ground and make for a successful event. Most people underestimate exactly how much goes into planning and executing these occasions until they’re in charge of it themselves. So what happens if something goes wrong? What about if someone gets hurt, rental items get damaged or even worse, the whole event gets cancelled? You could be held liable or lose everything you’ve invested into the event – unless you have event insurance. This type of insurance can protect you and reimburse you if things go wrong. So how does it work?
Event Liability
As much as we hope all will run smoothly at an event or party that’s not always the case. Things can get damaged and people can get hurt, especially if there’s alcohol involved. Event insurance includes liability coverage which means if damage occurs or an injury is suffered by a guest any ensuing bills and legal expenses would be covered. This type of coverage is often required by rental venues and is excellent peace of mind if you’re hosting an event on private property.
Event Cancellation
Big events often require deposits for numerous things such as the venue, food and entertainment. You may also make outright purchases for decorations and other items. So what happens if your caterer goes out of business or you’re forced to cancel your event? Event insurance will help reimburse you for the purchases and/or deposits.
When should I get event insurance?
You should purchase event insurance before you make any deposits or purchases. If you’re only purchasing liability insurance you’ll need it in place before the event. If a venue or vendor requires it, they will likely have a date you must produce proof of insurance by.
Should I purchase event insurance?
Many venues require you to have at least event liability insurance. For more comprehensive coverage, however, such as event cancellation, you should get insurance for events involving a significant number of people, requiring substantial preparation and/or those that have a fair amount of cost involved.
Talk to your venue about their insurance requirements and you should also discuss the event insurance policies available to you with your insurance broker. They’re the best person to help you decide which policy is best for you and they can explain how it works in the event that things go wrong.