Hosting parties is fun, but sometimes the unexpected happens — like when the venue asks for proof of insurance. Thankfully, securing the right coverage is fast, easy, and affordable. From choosing a policy to obtaining your certificate, consider this your grab-and-go guide to getting event host insurance.
📋 One-Minute Checklist: How to Get Event Insurance
1. Gather Your Details
- Event date and time (including set-up/tear-down)
- Venue name and address
- Headcount
- Alcohol: Yes or No
2. Buy Your Coverage
- General liability insurance
- Add host liquor liability if alcohol is present
3. Deliver Proof
- List the venue as an Additional Insured
- Confirm Primary & Noncontributory or Waiver of Subrogation requests
- Download and send your Certificate of Insurance (COI)
✅Protect your event today and meet venue requirements before the big day begins!
Do I Need Business Insurance for Hosting an Event?
The short answer: Yes, you need insurance to host an event.
Whether it’s a family member’s wedding, a corporate holiday party, or a new business launch party, having event insurance is key to meeting venue requirements. It also protects your personal finances if a guest is injured during your event or causes damage to the venue’s property.
Five Simple Steps to Getting Event Host Insurance
Before the event starts, lock down your coverage. Event host insurance is short-term liability protection that most venues require.
Follow the steps below to confirm requirements, get an instant online quote, add your venue, and download your proof — so you can focus on the fun, not the fine print.
Step 1. Confirm the Venue’s Requirements
Most venues ask for two things: a Certificate of Insurance (COI) and being listed on your policy as an additional insured. This protects them from claims related to your event. You must choose a policy that satisfies your venue’s insurance requirements to avoid accidentally purchasing the wrong one.
You’ll need the following information:
- Business name and address: Obtain the venue’s full legal business name, mailing address, and contact info. If listing separately, you’ll need the name and address of the property owner, too.
- Required limits: Find out how much general liability insurance the venue wants you to carry. Most ask for a minimum of $2 million in aggregate coverage.
- Additional insured wording: Look for specific wording the venue wants you to use when listing them as an additional insured, such as adding a special endorsement
- Deadlines: Verify the date you’ll need insurance and when your coverage should start (effective date) and end (expiration date).
You can find this by contacting the venue directly, checking their website, or reviewing your contract if you’ve already signed one.
Don’t Forget: Set-Up and Tear-Down Coverage
If you need an extra day to stage your event or your venue has limited hours of operation, make sure your policy’s effective window covers you completely from set-up to clean-up. That way, you’re covered if you accidentally damage the property while carrying equipment or taking down decorations.
⚠️ Important: Vendors Must Carry Their Own Insurance
Outside vendors — like caterers, DJs, or photographers — must carry their own liability insurance for events. Venues often ask for proof of each vendor’s coverage, so make sure to collect their Certificates of Insurance before the event.
If you’re a business owner selling your products or services at an event, get the coverage you need with event vendor insurance.
Step 2. Get a Quote Online
Once you have all the details, you’re ready to insure your event! Start your online quote with Insurance Canopy and get reliable coverage in minutes by filling out the following:
- Your role (event host)
- Your event type
- Your event details and activities
Then, choose the coverage you need by selecting limits that meet your contract requirements. If you’ll be serving or providing alcohol at the event, such as an open bar, add host liquor liability coverage for no extra charge.
Step 3. Add Your Venue as Additional Insured
Add your venue as an additional insured during your quote with the information you gathered in step one. Our policy lets you add free, unlimited additional insureds, covering you for multiple venues for the same event — perfect for weddings, festivals, and corporate events.
After you’ve filled out their name, email, and address information, select from the following endorsements, if your venue requests them:
- Primary and Non-Contributory: Requires your insurance to pay for a claim without seeking reimbursement from the venue’s own insurance
- Waiver of Subrogation: Prevents your insurance company from suing the venue to get back the money they paid out for your claim
Step 4. Purchase & Download Your COI
With the venue officially listed as an additional insured, you can buy your policy using our secure checkout and download your instant proof of insurance. Save your COI as a PDF and keep a copy of it on your phone for check-in.
Insurance Canopy automatically sends your COI to any listed additional insureds. However, it’s always good practice to reach out via phone or email with the event date and policy number to make sure they received it.
Step 5. Understand How to Make Changes to Your Policy
Need to add to or change your policy? No worries! You’re allowed to update your coverage anytime until the event begins. Some common changes event hosts make include:
- Adding an extra day for set-up/tear-down
- Adjusting your attendance count
- Correcting the venue’s name or address
- Adding another party as an additional insured
- Increasing your liability limits
Once you’ve updated your policy, ensure the venue receives an updated copy of your COI. Some changes, like adding coverage or increasing your limits, might incur an extra cost.
Do I Need Insurance to Serve Alcohol at My Event?
Yes, you generally need insurance for serving or allowing alcohol at your event. Alcohol significantly raises your risk of a lawsuit. If an intoxicated guest breaks the venue’s chandelier or causes a car accident on the way home, you could be held liable for the costs.
Here’s how to tell which type of liquor coverage you need:
- For complimentary alcohol (meaning it’s not sold or charged), you need host liquor liability insurance for events, which you can add to most policies for no extra cost
- For alcohol that’s sold (even in the form of donations), you need retail liquor liability insurance, which is available as an added coverage
- If you hire a caterer or bartender, confirm that they carry their own liquor liability insurance and that it meets the venue’s requirements.
What If My Event Is BYOB?
Allowing guests to bring their own alcoholic beverages still puts you at risk of being held liable for accidents they cause, so you’ll still need host liquor liability coverage.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Insurance for an Event?
The cost of event insurance varies depending on several factors unique to your event. With Insurance Canopy, your premium is based on details such as:
- The number of people attending
- How long your event lasts
- The type of event you’re hosting
- The size and type of venue
- Whether alcohol will be served or sold
- Any additional coverages or higher limits you choose
Our base policy comes with $2 million in aggregate coverage (the total amount paid for all claims) and $1 million per occurrence (the maximum payout for a single claim). To get the best price, choose the lowest limits that satisfy your venue’s requirements.
Ready to Send Your COI?
When you’re ready to check insurance off your to-do list, we’ll send your COI straight to the venue when you add them as an additional insured. Save time and get the coverage you need with an event host policy from Insurance Canopy.
FAQs About Getting Event Host Insurance
What type of insurance do I need for my event?
You need event liability insurance if you’re hosting an event. This type of short-term general liability coverage helps you meet venue requirements and protect you from paying out of pocket for costly accidents, including third-party injuries and property damage.
Is event insurance worth it?
Yes, event insurance is worth it to protect your investment in your carefully planned event and secure your venue. Without it, you risk paying for expensive accidents like injuries or property damages that cost more than getting insurance.
When should you get event insurance?
The best time to get event insurance is once you have a confirmed date, begin signing vendor contracts, and start making non-refundable deposits (like with your venue).
It’s often recommended that your policy take effect the day before your event to ensure coverage for setup.
How far in advance can you get event insurance?
With Insurance Canopy, you can get event insurance up to 90 days before your event. By purchasing your coverage early, you can focus more on your event and have plenty of time to make adjustments to your policy if necessary.
