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Guests raising champagne glasses at a catered daytime reception, an event covered by special event liability

Special Event Insurance

Insure your wedding, festival or party with the limits and certificate your venue asks for. We request quotes for you.

Special event insurance is one time liability coverage for a wedding, party, festival or corporate event, with the certificate and additional insured wording your venue asks for. The programs we use offer $1 million per occurrence with a $2 or $3 million aggregate, one includes host liquor liability and covers the venue automatically, and prices start at $65 plus taxes and fees.

Who qualifies
Weddings and receptions, private parties, quinceañeras, corporate events, festivals, concerts and wine tastings, single or annual
Event size
Up to five days including setup and teardown, up to 1,000 attendees on one program and 3,000 a day on another
Typical limits
$1 million per occurrence with a $2 million or $3 million aggregate, and $2 million/$4 million available on one program with no liability deductible
Alcohol
Host liquor liability is included on one program, and liquor liability for alcohol you sell is available
Your venue
One program gives the venue additional insured status and a waiver of subrogation automatically, with $1 million for damage to the rented space
What gets declined
One program declines a rented private home as the venue, water activities and vendors without their own insurance
Starting price
Some programs start at $65 plus taxes and fees
Timing
One program's quote stays open until one hour before the event starts, so you can still buy close to the date
Programs we use
LIO, Thimble, Blitz and Green Shield special event programs

We shop the market for you, no broker fees

  • Green Shield
  • Blitz
  • Thimble
  • LIO
  • Markel
  • Philadelphia Insurance Companies
  • Kinsale
  • USLI

What the event market writes

Events with up to 3,000 attendees

The programs write private events, weddings, corporate gatherings and festivals in attendee bands from under fifty to three thousand, single events or repeat and annual events.

The venue's insurance requirements

The venue's contract sets the limits and certificate you need, so have its requested limits, certificate wording and any additional insured requirements ready for the broker to review.

Alcohol and event hours

Alcohol and event hours change the coverage, so describe whether alcohol will be consumed, who serves it and when the event ends. The available coverage and requirements depend on those activities and the market.

Event dates and surrounding work

Single and recurring events can both be covered, so state which it is and identify setup and takedown days. The broker must confirm which dates and activities a proposal covers.

Is your event a fit?

Usually a fit

  • Weddings and private parties
  • Corporate events
  • Festivals and community events
  • Alcohol served, by review

Usually declined or referred

  • Ending after 2 a.m.
  • Camping or overnight stays
  • Motorized sports or rodeos
  • Carnivals and water activities
  • Political events or marches

How it works

  1. One short form

    A few questions about your business or home.

  2. We shop the market

    We compare carriers and read the forms line by line.

  3. Quote and bind

    We pick the best policy and get you covered.

The certificate the venue asks for

Provide the venue's insurance requirements for review, including requested limits and additional insured wording.

  • Limits that match the venue
  • Setup and teardown days
  • Single events or a series
A bartender preparing drinks at an event bar, alcohol service a special event policy has to account for

Events up to 3,000 guests a day

Attendance usually has to stay within both limits. Larger events are placed market by market.

  1. 01

    Guests on any single day

    Up to 3,000

  2. 02

    Guests across the whole event

    Up to 15,000

Written for events, including:

  • Weddings and private events
  • Corporate gatherings
  • Festivals and community events
  • Repeat and annual events
  • Events to 3,000 attendees
  • Alcohol service with review

What changes your premium

Some special event programs start at $65 plus taxes and fees. Attendance, alcohol, the number of event days and the limits your venue asks for set the actual price.

  • Maximum daily and total attendance
  • Alcohol consumption and service arrangements
  • Event dates and ending time
  • Single event or repeat and annual
  • Setup and takedown days

Questions we get asked

Do I need wedding insurance for my venue?

If the venue contract asks for it, yes. Wedding venues, including vineyards and wineries, set the liability limit and additional insured wording in their contract, so read yours and we match the certificate to it. Weddings and receptions are on the event lists of the programs we use.

Does the venue require this?

Many venues do, so check the venue's contract for the limits, certificate wording and additional insured status it requests. Give those requirements to the broker rather than assuming every venue asks for the same protection.

Does it cover alcohol service?

It depends on the policy, so disclose whether alcohol will be consumed and who supplies or serves it. The broker reviews the required protection and the proposed policy's terms; an event application does not by itself confirm liquor liability coverage.

Are setup and takedown covered?

They can be: the application lets you request setup and takedown days, and one program includes them. Give the dates and work involved so the broker can confirm whether the proposal includes them.

Can an annual series be covered?

Yes, it can be reviewed: the application asks whether the event is recurring or annual. Describe the schedule so the broker can review an appropriate arrangement. The available terms and price need confirmation.

How big can the event be?

One program takes up to 3,000 attendees a day, so give the maximum daily attendance and total attendance across all days. Markets apply their own limits, and larger events require individual review. Selecting an attendance answer does not confirm acceptance.

Can you write this where my business is?

We offer coverage in the states where we are licensed. Begin a quote with the address of your business or risk, and we'll let you know which markets can write that location before you spend much time on the questions.

What happens after I start a quote?

Tell us about the coverage you need and complete the application. We use those details to approach suitable markets and may ask follow-up questions. Requesting a quote does not put coverage in force.

Review your coverage options.

A licensed broker can review eligibility and policy terms with you.