What Is Event Insurance? A Guide for Weddings, Parties & Special Events
Did you know you can get insurance for a donkey at your bridal shower or wedding?
At Rumabugh Insurance, we don't shy away from the weird requests. In fact, we're used to helping clients find insurance solutions for the unexpected.
Recently, we insured a bridal shower featuring a roving flower donkey. And that's now the most unusual event we've encountered. We've also insured a carnival "dragon."
While these examples are certainly memorable, they bring up an important question for anyone planning a wedding, party, fundraiser, or other special event: Do you need event insurance?
The answer depends on your event details, but special event insurance can provide important liability protection if something unexpected happens.
What Is Event Insurance?
Event insurance is coverage designed to help protect against certain risks and liability associated with a specific event.
Depending on the policy, event insurance may cover certain claims involving bodily injury or property damage that occur during a covered event. Some venues also require event hosts to carry liability insurance before allowing an event to take place.
Event insurance can be useful because a standard homeowners or renters insurance policy may not provide all of the coverage you need for a particular event.
Every event is different, so discuss your plans with an insurance professional rather than assuming you're covered.
What Does Event Insurance Cover?
Event insurance coverage depends on the policy and the type of event. However, event hosts may be looking for protection related to risks such as:
Bodily injury: A guest is injured during the event and makes a claim against the event host.
Property damage: Property belonging to the venue or another party is accidentally damaged.
Venue requirements: A venue requires the event host to provide proof of liability insurance.
Special activities or attractions: An event includes entertainment, equipment, vendors, or other unusual activities that may require additional consideration.
Remember that not every event insurance policy covers every situation. Coverage, exclusions, limits, and requirements vary, so talk with a private insurance agency about your specific event to find the best solution.
Do You Need Event Insurance?
You don't have to be hosting a massive festival to have questions about event insurance.
A wedding, bridal shower, birthday party, or fundraiser can involve dozens or even hundreds of people, multiple vendors, and a variety of activities. The more moving parts an event has, the more opportunities there are for something unexpected to happen.
Some venues require event hosts to carry insurance, while others may not. Even when venues don't require insurance, it may still be worth discussing your options with an insurance professional.
The key is to think about insurance before the event.
What Types of Events Can Be Insured?
Special event insurance may be appropriate for many different types of gatherings, like:
Wedding and wedding receptions
Bridal showers and baby showers
Birthday and anniversary parties
Graduation celebrations
Fundraisers and charity events
Community festivals
Corporate events
Holiday parties
Private parties and celebrations
Other special events
The right coverage depends on the event, so ask about your specific situation.
Does Your Venue Require Event Insurance?
One of the first things to do when planning a special event is to ask the venue about its insurance requirements.
Some venues may require you to provide a certificate of insurance (COI) before your event. The venue may also have specific liability limits or other requirements.
Finding this out early gives you time to talk with your insurance agent and make sure you understand what is being requested.
And if the venue doesn't require insurance? That doesn't necessarily mean you shouldn't consider it. Your agent can help you evaluate the risks associated with your particular event.
What About Unusual Event Activities?
This is where things get interesting.
At Rumbaugh Insurance, we've learned that "unusual" doesn't necessarily mean "uninsurable."
A carnival dragon? We've seen it.
A bridal shower with a roving flower donkey? We've got that one covered, too.
Special events can include all kinds of attractions and activities that aren't part of the average celebration. Maybe you're bringing in live animals, hiring unique entertainment, renting an inflatable attraction, or setting up temporary equipment.
Whatever you've planned, tell your insurance agent.
Those unusual details may affect the type of coverage or policy that's appropriate for your event. It's always better to have the conversation ahead of time rather than discover after an incident that something wasn't covered the way you expected.
What Should You Tell Your Insurance Agent?
When discussing event insurance, give your agent as much information about the event as possible.
Be prepared to discuss:
Where the event will take place
The date and duration of the event
The approximate number of guests
Whether alcohol will be served
Whether the venue requires a certificate of insurance
Which vendors will be involved
Entertainment or special attractions
Animals or unusual activities
Temporary structures, equipment, or rentals
And yes, if you're thinking, "We're having a flower donkey at the bridal shower," tell your insurance agent about the flower donkey.
Those are exactly the kinds of details your agent needs to know.
Planning a Special Event? Talk to Rumbaugh Insurance
Your event doesn't need a cervical dragon or a roving flower donkey to have unexpected risks. Even a simple celebration can involve venues, vendors, guests, entertainment, and other moving parts.
Event insurance can help protect against certain covered claims and liability, giving you one less thing to worry about while you are planning the big day.
At Rumbaugh Insurance, we're comfortable talking through the unusual, the unexpected, and everything in between. If you're planning a wedding, shower, party, fundraiser, or another special event, contact Rumbaugh Insurance to discuss your event insurance options.