Do I Need Special Event Insurance? (Weddings, Graduation Parties, Baby Showers, Reunions, etc.)

With the summer season in full swing, it’s no doubt the perfect time of year to throw your next large party or get-together. And while you can devote weeks or even months to your special event, sometimes disaster can strike even life’s best planned moments. 

So what can you do to protect your investment when planning for a wedding, anniversary party, or other special event? Thankfully, insurance coverage exists to make sure your special day is covered in the case of any emergencies or accidents. 

At Berry Insurance, we know how much effort goes into planning life’s special moments, making it important for you to have the best protection possible. Continue reading to learn all about insurance options for special events and how you can insure your next get-together. 

What is special event insurance? 

Special event insurance coverage is additional insurance designed to protect your next large gathering. Whether it be a wedding, baby shower, family reunion, or another important gathering, having special event insurance helps to cover any financial losses that can occur on the day of your event. 

Special event insurance offers coverage for financial losses due to a number of accidents or losses that could risk ruining your day. Event insurance policies are typically customizable to your type of event and the level of coverage you require. 

Am I required to have special event insurance? 

Not every event you’re planning will require additional event insurance, as it will largely depend on the size, venue, specifications of the event, as well as what insurance policies you already have. 

For example, if you are simply throwing a get-together at your home, your homeowners insurance policy would typically cover damages or liability claims that could come with hosting an event - such as a guest falling and hurting themselves on your property. However, you still may wish to have additional coverage on top of your existing policy to ensure you are fully protected from any large claims that could arise from your party. Speaking with your insurance agent or provider can give you a better idea of where your coverage is currently at and if additional coverage is right for you. 

It can also be important for hosts to be aware of the liability they take on when serving alcohol to guests. Special event insurance policies typically offer coverages for liquor liability or host liquor liability that can help cover claims/damages that come from intoxicated guests. When it comes to serving alcohol at your event, we would also advise hiring professionally trained bartenders with alcohol awareness training on top of the insurance coverage to ensure guest safety. 

If you are instead planning to rent out a venue for your event, you may wish to (or be required to when booking) obtain additional coverage. As renting out a venue can be expensive and come with a lot of moving parts, receiving additional coverage can be a smart way to protect your investment for any unforeseen circumstances, especially in the event the venue sues you for any damages.  

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not you need to obtain special event insurance should be based on a careful assessment of the circumstances and factors of your upcoming event. While it is not always a requirement, the additional protection offered through special event insurance can provide peace of mind and allow you to focus on creating a successful event without worrying about potential financial burdens or legal liabilities. 

What does special event insurance cover? 

Special event insurance policies are typically highly customizable, and can be outfitted to fit the needs of your specific event. 

At Berry Insurance, we usually write our clients' events with USLI’s special event insurance policy. USLI (United States Insurance Group) offers coverage designed to protect individuals hosting a wide range of events, including everything from weddings and fundraisers, to concerts and parades. 

USLI’s coverage often includes two important components: commercial general liability and liquor liability protections. Let’s explore what each of these coverages entail: 

1. Commercial general liability protection

Commercial general liability coverage is designed to protect you for any claims for bodily injury or property damage by third parties related to your event. USLI’s commercial general liability protection typically includes the following: 

• Bodily injury coverage: This component covers medical expenses, legal costs, and potential damages resulting from bodily injuries sustained by guests at the event. So, if a guest slips and falls at the venue and suffers an injury. This coverage helps to protect you from potential legal and financial liabilities.  
• Property damage coverage: Property damage coverage protects you if there are any damages made to the property or venue by guests. For example, if the DJ accidentally damages the venue when setting up their equipment, this coverage would aid in covering the costs of repairs or replacement. 

Liquor liability protection is specifically designed to address the potential risks associated with events where alcohol is being served. USLI’s liquor liability coverage includes the following: 

• Liquor-related claims: This coverage protects you from claims arising from injuries or damages caused by guests who consumed alcohol at the event. So, if one of your guests becomes intoxicated and causes an accident during or after the event, this coverage would help to cover you from any potential legal or financial repercussions. 
• Defense costs: liquor liability coverage may also provide options for defense costs, covering legal expenses if you face any lawsuits for alcohol-related incidents. 

USLI’s policy can be easily tailored to the specifics of your upcoming event, and can be an important factor to consider when organizing your next large gathering. Take a look at their special event policy application here to get more information: USLI The Main Event.  

Other special event insurance options available through other services may also offer protections for other event-related risks. This can include protections for:

• Gifts
• Attire
• Photography
• Cancellation/weather. 

Speak with your agent or insurance provider about what you’re looking for out of your event insurance coverage to help determine what coverage options are best for you. 

How much does special event insurance cost? 

The cost of special event insurance coverage can vary significantly depending on numerous factors of your event. These factors can include: 

• The size of the event
• The location/venue
• The duration of the event
• Number of attendees
• Activities involved
• Required add-ons or endorsements

As each event is unique, these factors will help to determine the premium when designing your policy. These policies can usually range anywhere from a couple hundred dollars to several thousand, depending on how large an event is or your desired amount of coverage. Larger-scale events with high attendance or associated risks can expect more expensive premiums than smaller-scale events with few attendants or risks. 

Saving the day

Planning the perfect party, wedding, or other large events take loads of time, money, and preparation. This makes it all the more frustrating when something inevitably goes wrong. As you will be unable to prepare for everything that could go wrong, having specialized insurance to cover your event may be just the thing to save your big day. 

Now that you know more about what is offered through special event insurance coverage, you can be better prepared when organizing your next event. Speak with your insurance agent or provider to discuss your coverage options and what you should expect from your event policy. 

As most large events will be serving alcohol, it is important for any host to understand rules surrounding providing alcohol and intoxicated guests. Learn more about social host liability and what is covered by your insurance policies by checking out this article: Understanding Social Host Liability.