Special Event Insurance: Liability, Cost & Quotes From $11

 

Special events are complex. And if you’ve planned one before, you know just how much resources it takes to execute everything perfectly. Special event insurance is a long-term or short-term insurance policy for events.

This covers any property damage or bodily injury that might occur during the special event. Suppose you must cancel your special plans for the anniversary, graduation party, birthday or wedding. In that case, you can leverage the insurance to recoup some expenses. 

 

Special Event general Liability Insurance  

As an industry standard, most venues require that you obtain special event liability insurance. Primarily offered as a commercial general liability insurance policy (CGL), this covers the following:

  • Third-party personal injuries – It will cover medical expenses if your special event injured a guest, vendor, or any other third party 
  • Third-party property damage – It will reimburse the value of damaged properties owned by guests, vendors, and other third parties, which your special event damaged. 

It’s become apparent that you can lose your event spot if you fail to present proof of special event general liability insurance as most rental venues won’t offer their services if an event isn’t covered with it. 

 

CGL Special Event Insurance

 It has inclusions available at an additional cost. Such additional inclusions are:

Advertising injury coverage –  Advertising injury coverage will cover attorney fees, administrative costs, settlements, and other legal expenses if a third party sues the special event organizer for slander, libel, and other forms of advertising or reputational harm

Rented premises liability coverage – Rented premises liability coverage will reimburse the property owner if a rented venue is damaged during a special event 

Public Liability Insurance for Special Events

Another type of special event liability coverage is public liability insurance. This one functions the same as general liability insurance. That is, cover personal injury claims and property damage claims. But still, this coverage is a bit different because you can’t add optional policies to it. Thus, its premiums are cheaper due to the limited protection provided. 

Special Event Liquor Liability Insurance

Once you purchase special event insurance, you can opt for liquor liability insurance. The latter is an optional coverage that protects the event organizers when a guest sustains personal injuries/property damage or gets overserved with alcohol.  Specific costs covered are:

  • Emergency treatment
  • Funeral expenses
  • Reimbursement for damaged properties
  • Legal costs 

The special event liquor liability insurance offers protection for Bring Your Own Bottle (BYOB) and open-bar events and should cover any violation of statutes and regulations pertaining to the distribution and use of alcohol. 

 

Special Event Workers Compensation Insurance  

While general liability insurance covers third-party bodily injury and property damage, it doesn’t cover employee injuries or illnesses. 

 A special event workers’ compensation insurance protects you from these uncovered liabilities. Particularly,  workers’ compensation insurance provides coverage for the following:

  • Medical treatment/procedure – funds and cover the employee’s medical treatment/procedure 
  • Hospitalization –It  will help your employee pay bills if a work-related injury or illness needs intensive hospitalization
  • Rehabilitation – provides the money that can be used to cover therapist fees, rehabilitation equipment, and more
  • Lost income compensation – provides coverage for lost income if your employee can’t work due to a work-related injury or illness. Lost income compensation will be equal to two-thirds or 67% of the average weekly wage. 
  • Death benefits – provides death benefits if an employee dies from a work-related injury or illness. 

Special Event Cancellation Insurance

If a special event is canceled due to a particular incident,  or any other possible causes, cancellation insurance will cover non-refundable expenses such as:

  • Payments for venue rental
  • Payments for equipment rental
  • Expenses for catering service
  • Expenses for vehicle rental

Special Event Rental Equipment Insurance

You will need to rent equipment for a special event. Special event rental equipment provides replacements if rented equipment becomes damaged or lost due to fire, theft, vandalism, and other covered risk.  Common items covered by special event equipment rental insurance are:

  • Tents
  • Sound systems
  • Generators
  • Lighting
  • Porta potties
  • Lighting 
  • Camera

The amount of coverage is $25,000 – $100,000 depending on the type of event and the equipment rented. 

One Day Special Event Insurance  

1 day special event insurance covers the policyholder holder against personal injury and property damage claims through its general liability coverage. It lasts for 3 hours, 6 hours, 12 hours, or 24 hours depending on your needs. The amount of coverage you’ll get is $1 million-$2 million. 

Special Event Insurance FAQs

Who Needs Special Event Insurance?

It is a coverage for those organizing sports events, graduations, camping events, musicals, festivals, and more. Particularly, this is useful for event planners, associations, companies, and other similar entities. 

Special event liability insurance cost 

The cost vary depending on various factors, including the type of event, its duration, and the number of participants. Typically, the premium will set you back at $150 for a one day coverage. Long-term coverage, on the other hand, costs $75 per month or $900 per year. 

Best Special Event Insurance Companies  

CoverWallet 

CoverWallet is an insurance broker selling a tailored special event insurance offering general liability coverage, rental equipment insurance, and cancellation coverage. CoverWallet allows you to get an instant certificate of insurance,  allows you to add additional insureds for free online, and doesn’t mind if you cancel a policy at the spur of the moment. 

Average cost: $35 for one-day coverage

Our rating: 10/10

 

Pros

  • Has an online platform for you Compare quotes to find the best coverage
  • Cancel a policy anytime
  • Live insurance agents
  • Pay for premiums online

Cons

  • Not an insurance company but an insurance broker 

 

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State Farm

Founded in 1922, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance company’s goal is to help its customers manage the risks they face every day. As a top provider of special events insurance, State Farm handles an average of 39,000 claims a day across the 50 states. 

Average cost: $41 for one-day coverage

Our rating: 9/10

Pros 

  • Coverage across the 50 states 
  • You can customize your coverage 
  • 24/7 customer service 

Cons 

  • You can only purchase coverage from the company or available agents 

 

 

USAA 

 USAA offers affordable liability policies tailored specifically to the realities of life in the military. These policies cover all events within the States and its territories and include events on cruise ships.  

Average cost: $56 for one-day coverage

Our rating: 9/10

Pros 

  • USAA’s liability coverage protects the insured party during rehearsals carried out 48 hours before the event 
  • Provisions for engagement ring insurance 
  • Money-back guarantee 

Cons 

  • Available for USAA members only, including military personnel, veterans, reservists, and their family members 

 

Geico   

Geico, special event insurance can be purchased as far back as two weeks before the event and should cover the non-refundable deposits, any cancellation fees inquired, and bodily harm or property damage during the event. 

Average cost: $130 for one-day coverage

Our rating: 8/10 

Pros 

  • Cheap event cancellation coverage 
  • Liability limit starts at $500,000
  • 15% discount for purchasing wedding liability and cancellation coverage concurrently
  • You can purchase up to $2 million in coverage a day before the event 

Cons 

  • Mandate that the event cancellation policy be purchased at least 15 days before cancellation 
  • Cancellation insurance doesn’t cover infectious diseases 

 

Rank and Review Insurance Companies

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Progressive 

 Progressive Insurance Company is a Highly rated by AM Best and the BBB, Progressive offers a wide range of special events coverage policies. Their online claims reporting, online premium payments,  and live chatbots make Progressive special events coverage services highly accessible to customers. 

Average cost: $105 for one-day coverage

Our rating: 8/10

Pros 

  • Covers over 400 types of events 
  • A 5% discount when you purchase the policy directly from Progressive 
  • Cancellation insurance as special coverage

Cons 

  • Mixed feedback on customer service 

 

 AAA Insurance 

 American Automobile Association (AAA) offers a collection of branded products to protect you during special events. While the average premium is considerably higher than the rest within the list, AAA offers various discounts to help customers save money on the initial premium. 

Average cost: $160 for one-day coverage

Our rating: 8/10

Pros 

  • A Protection Plan for as low as $160 
  • Covers repair or replacement costs for damaged gifts 
  • Covers sudden illness that results in postponement of the event 
  • With the Protection Plan, you get vendor liability coverage 

Cons 

  • You can only purchase the coverage through an agent 

 

  

 Liberty Mutual Insurance

Liberty Mutual ranked at position 78 on the U.S. Fortune list in 2021, given that it was the 6th largest global property and casualty insurer in 2021. Since its inception in 1912, the insurer’s goal has been to provide comprehensive solutions for complex risks. 

Average cost:  $78 for one-day coverage

Our rating: 7/10 

Pros 

  • Coverage extends to 29 countries 
  • Wide breadth of coverage 
  • Quick and efficient claim resolution 
  • Great mobile app accessibility 

Cons 

  • Doesn’t cover damage deemed as resulting from intentional acts or caused by certain vehicle types 

 

Allstate Insurance 

 Allstate is a nationwide national insurance service provider that offers special events coverage for weddings, business meetings, parties, and corporate events. The insurer offers two broad products-event cancellations and event liability coverage. 

Average cost: $89 for one-day coverage

Our rating: 6/10

Pros 

  • Online quotes available 
  • Customizable offerings 

Cons 

  • No one-day insurance coverage for sporting events or events with over 500 attendees 

Nationwide Insurance 

 Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, has become one of the ten most revered insurers. Their special event insurance coverage stands out as it includes:a brand-new belongings clause that ensures you are paid enough to restore the damaged property or replace it with a brand new item if you see fit. 

Average cost: $68 for one-day coverage

Our rating: 6/10

Pros 

  • Offers coverage as standard, which would have otherwise attracted an extra charge from other insurers 
  • Various discounts on offer 
  • Exemplary customer service 

Cons 

  • Limited coverage with Alaska, Hawaii, and Louisiana excluded 

 

 

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