5 Best Event Insurance Providers Compared: Coverage, Cost, & How to Choose
Choosing an insurance provider is like picking your event’s color scheme: you want coverage that fits your venue, guest list, and plans, not a one-size-fits-all option that clashes with what you actually need. To make it easier, we’ve compared five of the top providers below based on price, coverage, and ease of use.
- Best overall: Insurance Canopy
- Uses highly rated carriers: Eventsured
- Offers by-the-hour event coverage: Thimble
- Short-term coverage with high limits: K&K Insurance
- Custom coverage for large events: Special Event Insurance by RVNA
Looking for insurance as an event vendor? Compare the best event vendor insurance using our quick guide!
*Note: Transparency is one of Insurance Canopy’s core brand values. This guide was created with the most recent and verifiable information available at the time of writing to help our readers identify which provider is best for their business (even if it’s not us).
5 Best Event Liability Insurance Providers
Insurance Canopy
Starting Price*
$88 for 1-4 day events (+$3.90 tax) or $114 for 5+ day events (+$4.95 tax)
Total: $91.90 for 1-4 days or $118.95 for 5+ days
Coverage Included
General liability, products and completed operations, personal and advertising injury, damage to rented premises, medical expense coverage, host liquor liability
Buy 100% Online?
✅
Base Coverage Limit
$2,000,000 aggregate (total amount for all claims in one policy period)
Eventsured
Starting Price*
$101/event (+ $3.03 tax and $59.50 membership fee)
Total: $163.53/event
Coverage Included
General liability, products and completed operations, personal and advertising injury, damage to rented premises, medical payments, host liquor liability
Buy 100% Online?
✅
Base Coverage Limit
$2,000,000 aggregate
Thimble
Starting Price*
$165.81 for one-day events (+ $25 one-time transaction fee and a $5 processing fee)
Total: $195.81/event
Coverage Included
General liability, products and completed operations, personal and advertising injury, damage to rented premises, medical expenses
Buy 100% Online?
✅
Base Coverage Limit
$2,000,000 aggregate
K&K Insurance
Starting Price*
$179.00 for one-day events (+$20 admin fee)
Custom quote for multi-day events
Total: $199.00 for one-day events
Coverage Included
General liability, products and completed operations, personal and advertising injury, damage to rented premises, medical expense, host liquor liability
Buy 100% Online?
❌
Base Coverage Limit
$5,000,000 aggregate (one-day events only)
Special Event Insurance by RVNA
Starting Price*
$318.30 for a one-day event (taxes and fees not shown)
Coverage Included
General liability, damage to rented premises, medical payments, host liquor liability, terrorism coverage
Buy 100% Online?
✅
Base Coverage Limit
$2,000,000 aggregate
| Provider | Starting Price* | Coverage Included | Buy 100% Online? | Base Coverage Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Insurance Canopy |
$88 for 1-4 day events (+$3.90 tax) or $114 for 5+ day events (+$4.95 tax)
Total: $91.90 for 1-4 days or $118.95 for 5+ days |
General liability, products and completed operations, personal and advertising injury, damage to rented premises, medical expense coverage, host liquor liability |
|
$2,000,000 aggregate (total amount for all claims in one policy period) |
|
Eventsured |
$101/event (+ $3.03 tax and $59.50 membership fee)
Total: $163.53/event |
General liability, products and completed operations, personal and advertising injury, damage to rented premises, medical payments, host liquor liability |
|
$2,000,000 aggregate |
|
Thimble |
$165.81 for one-day events (+ $25 one-time transaction fee and a $5 processing fee)
Total: $195.81/event |
General liability, products and completed operations, personal and advertising injury, damage to rented premises, medical expenses |
|
$2,000,000 aggregate |
|
K&K Insurance |
$179.00 for one-day events (+$20 admin fee)
Custom quote for multi-day events Total: $199.00 for one-day events |
General liability, products and completed operations, personal and advertising injury, damage to rented premises, medical expense, host liquor liability |
|
$5,000,000 aggregate (one-day events only) |
|
Special Event Insurance by RVNA |
$318.30 for a one-day event (taxes and fees not shown) |
General liability, damage to rented premises, medical payments, host liquor liability, terrorism coverage |
|
$2,000,000 aggregate |
*For the closest and most accurate comparison, quotes were obtained at the time of writing based on an event host who is an individual residing in Ohio hosting a one-day event (ex: banquet or birthday party) with 100 or fewer attendees. Starting prices for 5+ day events are also included where applicable.
Insurance Canopy: Best Overall
Cost:
- $88 for 1-4 day events (+$3.90 tax) or $114 for 5+ day events (+$4.95 tax)
Coverages Included:
- General liability
- Personal and advertising injury
- Products and completed operations
- Damage to premises rented to you
- Medical expenses
- Host liquor liability (if alcohol is complimentary)
Add-ons Offered
- Increased general liability limits up to $5 million aggregate
- Medical expenses up to $10,000
- Damage to premises up to $1 million
- Hired and non-owned auto liability
- Golf cart coverage
- Retail liquor liability (if alcohol is sold/charged)
Event Requirements
- Covers most events with up to 5,000 attendees
- 1–10 days of coverage available
- Not for events lasting past 2:00 am
- Multiple locations allowed
- U.S.-based events only
Standout Features
- Best one-day event insurance with the most coverage for the lowest cost
- Lowest price with no hidden fees compared to competitors
- Free, unlimited additional insureds and policy options for vendors
- Lowest premium among all listed providers
- Free, unlimited additional insureds
- 100% online purchase
- Same-day Certificate of Insurance (COI)
- Covered in all 50 states
- Choose between 1-4 days or 5+ days of coverage
- Zero deductible on liability claims
- Includes set-up and tear-down days
- Annual coverage available for hosting multiple events throughout the year
- Event vendor insurance plans available
- Does not currently offer event cancellation insurance
- Waiver of Subrogation endorsement available for a small charge
Based on our research, Insurance Canopy offers the best event liability insurance. Insurance Canopy’s low rates beat competitor prices for the same (if not more) coverage with no surprise fees, making it the top pick for affordability and overall value.
Rather than a one-size-fits-all policy, you can tailor your event insurance coverage with add-ons, or select a 5+ day option for back-to-back events, something most competitors don’t match. With policies for event hosts, planners, and vendors, Insurance Canopy lets you add free, unlimited additional insureds — ideal when working with multiple venues.
You can buy a policy in minutes, download your certificate of insurance (COI) instantly, and manage everything 100% online. Prefer talking to a person? Licensed, U.S.-based customer support is available on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. EST.
Pro tip: Confused about the process of getting insurance? Check out our quick guide on how to get event host insurance for all you need to know in five easy steps.
Eventsured: Highly Rated Carriers
Cost:
- $101/event (+ $3.03 tax and $59.50 membership fee)
Coverages Included
- General liability
- Products and completed operations
- Personal and advertising injury
- Damage to rented premises
- Medical payments
- Host liquor liability
Add-ons Offered
- Increased liability limits
- Retail liquor liability
Event Requirements
- Covers events lasting up to 30 days
- For multi-day events, you must report the total attendance for all days
- U.S.-based events only
Standout Features
- Eventsured uses A++ rated carriers
- 100% online quotes with an easy-to-use portal and clear explanations
- Uses A++ rated insurance carriers
- Event cancellation/postponement insurance available for certain event types
- Buy online for same-day proof of insurance
- Coverage can be purchased up to one year in advance
- No deductible on liability claims
- Events held at private residences are NOT covered
- Additional insureds cost extra, but with Insurance Canopy they’re free
- Limited additional insureds (venue manager or municipality ONLY)
- High membership fee makes them more expensive than Insurance Canopy
Our research shows that Eventsured offers event insurance through highly rated carriers. Eventsured’s online portal is also easy to use, offering instant coverage. The caveat? Having 24/7 online access to your COI means your premium includes a hefty membership fee.
Additional insureds are limited and cost extra with Eventsured, while Insurance Canopy offers free, unlimited additional insureds. Eventsured also won’t cover events you host at your home or in your backyard — making some common private events uninsurable.
The cost for a one-day event is the same as a multi-day event as long it’s the same type. There’s also no written cap on the number of guests who can attend.
Thimble: By-the-Hour Event Coverage
Cost:
- $165.81 for one-day events (+ $30 in fees); premiums for multi-day events vary
Coverages Included
- General liability
- Personal and advertising injury
- Products and completed operations
- Damage to premises rented to you
- Medical payments
- Terrorism coverage
Add-ons Offered
- Increased general liability limits
- Liquor liability
Event Requirements
- Covers events lasting up to 5 days
- Max attendance varies by event type (250 or 1000)
- U.S.-based events only
Standout Features
- Thimble’s mobile app lets you access your policy on the go
- Highly flexible policy durations (15-minute increments)
- Buy on-the-go and manage policies through a mobile app
- Unlimited additional insureds, most at no cost
- Typically offers a zero deductible on liability claims
- Customizable attendance numbers
- Same-day COIs and instant online quotes
- Higher priced than Insurance Canopy
- Does not cover events lasting more than 5 days or those with over 1,000 attendees, which is more limited than Insurance Canopy
- Does not include setup or teardown time, while Insurance Canopy does
- Event cancellation available for weddings only
- Liquor liability coverage varies by host and business type
Based on our research, Thimble offers flexible event insurance policies. Thimble’s time-based coverage lets you cover just the hours of your event. While this gives you a lower rate, it also doesn’t take into account set-up and tear-down time. It also means multi-day events have varying premiums.
Thimble includes a Waiver of Subrogation endorsement, which is a contract that protects the venue from being sued by your insurance — something most other providers charge extra for.
For mobile-savvy hosts, Thimble’s app makes it easy to get coverage, manage your policy, and show proof of insurance anytime, anywhere.
K&K Insurance: Short-Term, High-Limit Coverage
Cost:
- $179.00 (+$20 administration fee) for one day or custom quote for multi-day events
Coverages Included
- General liability
- Personal and advertising injury
- Products and completed operations
- Damage to premises rented to you
- Medical expense
- Host liquor liability
Add-ons Offered
- General liability broadening endorsements (expands definitions or adds additional coverages)
- Retail liquor liability
- Waiver of Subrogation
Event Requirements
- Total attendance must be 12,000 or less
- Covers up to 10 consecutive days for multi-day events
- Event must be held at a single location, unless it’s a wedding
- U.S.-based events only
Standout Features
- Customizable policies for short-term and larger special events
- 70+ years experience in the event insurance industry
- Comes with $5 million in total coverage
- More add-on coverages for higher-risk events
- Free additional insureds
- Buy online for same-day proof of insurance
- No deductible on bodily injury claims
- Event cancellation insurance available for larger, special events
- Policy changes must be made in writing with a request form, but with Insurance Canopy, you can make changes entirely online
- Not all coverages are available nationwide, while Insurance Canopy covers all 50 states
- Does not include setup and teardown unless specified
- Significant price difference between one-day and multi-day events compared to Insurance Canopy
- Outdated online application system
Based on our research, K&K Insurance offers high liability limits for protecting large events with unique risks. K&K has decades of experience covering events of all sizes. Their short-term event insurance, designed for events with under 12,000 guests, offers higher-than-average limits suited for large venues and crowds.
Beyond standard add-ons, K&K offers broadened coverage for unique risks, like identity theft, large non-owned boats, or replacing a keynote speaker. This extra protection for larger, more complex events comes with higher premiums.
You can apply by phone, downloadable form, or online for select policies. But updating coverage requires submitting a separate form and waiting for processing, which isn’t ideal if you need last-minute changes.
Special Event Insurance by RVNA: Custom Coverage for Large Events
Cost:
- $318.30 for a one-day event (taxes and fees not shown)
Coverages Included
- General liability
- Damage to premises rented to you
- Host liquor liability
- Terrorism coverage
Add-ons Offered
- Increased general liability limits
- Retail liquor liability
- Accident medical expense
- Care custody control liability coverage
- Collapse of temporary structure liability
- Contractual liability
- Hired and non-owned auto
Event Requirements
- Covers one-day and multi-day events with 500+ attendees (or fewer)
Standout Features
- Customizable policies with high limits of liability available
- Instant online proof of insurance
- Policies available for events, weddings, and vendors
- Free, unlimited COIs
- Customizable coverage options
- Event cancellation and jewelry coverage optional for wedding policies only
- Licensed in all 50 states
- Highest premium among competitors
- Medical payments must be added, while Insurance Canopy includes this coverage
- $2,500 property damage deductible
Special Event Insurance by RVNA offers customizable policies for large events. Hosts and organizers can choose from a range of liability limits, up to a $5 million aggregate. Medical payments, which are included with Insurance Canopy, must be added onto a quote with RVNA.
You can also add coverage for third-party property when it’s in your care, custody, or control. This optional coverage is useful for event hosts renting equipment from a place other than a venue, or holding onto a guest’s property, such as donated auction items or display decor.
With over 30 years of experience, RVNA offers a money-back guarantee if your venue does not accept their insurance. If you have questions and need to speak to an agent, you can call their live customer service department between 5:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. PT.
What to Look For When Comparing Event Insurance Policies
The best event liability insurance should be affordable, easy to buy, and have all the coverages you need to properly protect your event. Here’s what to consider when you compare event insurance between different providers:
- Price: The cost of event insurance depends on your event type, size, duration, and the coverages you choose. Take note of any hidden fees, service charges, or membership costs that drive up the price.
- Accessibility: For a no-hassle experience, choose an insurer that gives you a free, online quote and instant COIs. You should be able to manage your policy online, and add additional insureds in just a few clicks.
- Liability limits: Look for aggregate and per occurrence limits that meet your venue’s requirements, or see if you can increase your limits for a small upcharge. Failing to get enough coverage in the beginning could require extra effort later on.
- Add-on coverages: Optional coverages cost extra, but they tailor your policy to your event’s specific needs. For example, if you charge for drink tickets, you’ll need retail liquor liability.
- Additional insureds: Look for providers that let you add free, unlimited additional insureds. This way, when your venue, venue owner, and equipment rental company ask for it, you’ll be ready.
- Endorsements: Make sure your insurance provider offers endorsements like the Waiver of Subrogation and Primary/Non-contributory wording. Most venues require one or both.
- Exclusions: Always read the exclusions (what’s not covered) before buying a policy. Otherwise, events with excluded activities won’t be covered when you go to file a claim.
Pro tip: Confused about insurance jargon? No worries! We’ve put together this easy-to-understand insurance glossary to help break it down so you always know what you’re getting.
Short-Term vs Special Event Insurance
Most insurance providers consider short-term event and special event insurance to be the same, but they aren’t always. It depends on how each provider defines them. Often, the difference between a short-term event and a special event depends on your event size, type, and special risks. Here’s an example of how they differ:
| Short-Term Event Insurance | Special Event Insurance |
|---|---|
|
– For small to mid-size events
– Provide 1 to 10 days of coverage – Often low-risk – Ideal for private parties, ceremonies, reunions, and receptions – Flat-rate prices |
– For large to very large events
– Duration varies – Higher risks (think boat parties, fireworks, celebrity appearances) – Custom quotes – Optional cancellation/postponement insurance |
Top Questions About the Best Online Event Insurance
What is the best one-day event insurance?
Insurance Canopy offers the best one-day event insurance based on competitor research. It provides $1M per occurrence and $2M aggregate limits that satisfy most venue requirements, with low pricing, instant COIs, and free, unlimited additional insureds. You can buy 100% online in minutes, whether you’re an event host or a vendor needing single-day coverage.
Do vendors at my event need their own insurance?
Yes, event vendors need their own liability insurance. Their coverage protects them in the event of an accident. As the host, you should require vendors to list you and your venue as additional insureds. This safeguards you from claims tied to their operations. (You’ll still need your own event host insurance.)
Insurance Canopy provides insurance for event vendors, concessions, caterers, entertainers, bartenders, photographers, videographers, and many other event professionals.
What insurance do I need as an event planner?
Event planners and organizers need event planner liability insurance. Different from event host insurance, it comes with added protections like professional liability, which covers you if you’re sued over your performance.
Insurance Canopy offers event and wedding planner insurance, whether you need a monthly policy for busy seasons or annual coverage if you manage events year-round. Visit our event planner insurance comparison guide to see why Insurance Canopy is the top choice.
How do I determine how many attendees will be at my event?
Estimate event attendance by using your invitation list, past event numbers, or a rounded-up best guess.
- For invitation-only events, count all invitations plus any expected plus-ones
- For recurring events, use last year’s attendance as a baseline
If you’re unsure, provide your best estimate — most policies allow updates before the event.
Do I need insurance for hosting events at my home?
Yes, you may need event liability insurance for parties held at your home. Homeowners insurance offers limited liability coverage, but it often isn’t enough for larger gatherings like weddings or reunions. It also won’t cover accidents involving alcohol that’s sold or served for a fee. Event insurance fills these gaps and provides higher limits tailored to bigger at-home events.
Protection You Can Count On, So You Can Focus on the Big Day
The right provider ensures your event goes off without a hitch, giving you the coverage you need that meets requirements without putting a dent in your budget. While all providers have their benefits, Insurance Canopy is the top choice for event hosts due to affordability, ease of use, and customization.