Host Liquor Liability vs Liquor Liability Insurance

At any event where alcohol is served, there is likely a host of the event and then there are individuals serving the alcohol. The coverage needed depends on what your role is. Host liquor liability covers businesses or individuals that host events where alcohol will be served but they’re not the actual server. Did you know you could be held liable even if you’re just the host where alcohol is served and not the caterer or bartender serving it? Businesses such as bartenders, caterers, party rentals, and event coordinators who include alcohol as part of their business operations for a short amount of time should include host liquor liability in their insurance policy. If you’re the individual or business actually serving the alcohol, you will need liquor liability insurance to make sure you are covered from any liability. Depending on the type of business you own, you will have to invest in either host liquor liability or liquor liability insurance.

What Is Host Liquor Liability Insurance?

Host liquor liability insurance is designed to protect event organizers, venue owners, party hosts, and other businesses the cost of liquor liability claims arising from alcohol-related accidents. To qualify for coverage, your business must not serve alcohol as part of your business operation but still allow the serving and drinking of alcohol on their premises or event. Host liquor liability insurance does not cover businesses that directly sell, manufacture, or furnish alcoholic beverages. If your business does sell alcohol, you may qualify for liquor liability coverage. Hosts who hire caterers or bartenders to serve alcohol at their event should require them to carry a liquor liability policy and add them as an additional insured.

How Much Does Host Liquor Liability Cost?

The Event Helper offers policies starting at $66 for an event.

What Does Host Liquor Mean?

Host liquor means you throw a party or event where guests can bring their own alcohol. Host liquor insurance is the type of insurance you would need in order to protect yourself from alcohol-related claims.

Host Liquor Liability Insurance

Short-term alcohol insurance for party and event hosts

What Is Host Liquor Liability?

Host liquor is an extra layer of protection if you’re throwing an event and selling, serving, or providing alcohol, but are not typically in the business of doing so. Those eligible for this policy include hosts or organizers of the following events:

Weddings
Corporate parties
Birthday parties
Retirement parties
Anniversaries
Luncheons or dinners
BBQs

In most states, even providing alcohol at an event exposes you to the risk of claims. Host liquor coverage is designed to shield you from these expensive claims so you don’t have to pay entirely out of pocket, and it is a necessary part of safely serving alcohol at your gathering.

Do I Need Host Liquor Liability Insurance for Events?

If you host a private event or party involving alcohol, you need host liquor coverage. You could be held responsible for your guests’ actions in situations like these:

An intoxicated partygoer punches a hole through the wall of the venue
A wedding guest has too many drinks at the open bar, drives home intoxicated, and crashes their car through a fence on someone’s property
Two employees at a corporate luncheon drink a few too many cocktails and get into a physical altercation, injuring each other

Anyone who suffers bodily injury or property damage from an intoxicated person can sue the person who provided the alcohol. Host liquor liability lawsuits can be expensive and may even include criminal charges. Costs sometimes reach into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Even if you are not found negligent, court costs to defend yourself can be expensive. Host liquor insurance is designed to protect you from shouldering these costs alone.

What Are Social Host Liability Laws?

Your liability may depend upon your state’s social host liability laws. In some states, these laws are similar to the state’s dram shop laws.

In other states, there are no specific regulations; however, the injured person can still sue you. For this reason, carrying host liquor liability coverage is a wise choice, even if it’s not legally required.

You are only eligible for host liquor liability insurance if your regular business operations do not involve selling, serving, furnishing, or manufacturing alcohol. If you have a bartending business or if alcohol is part of your business operations, you need a liquor liability insurance policy.

How Is Host Liquor Liability Insurance Different From Liquor Liability Event Insurance?

Host liquor coverage is a short-term policy for event hosts who do not normally sell, serve, or provide alcoholic beverages as part of their business operations. For example, if you throw a retirement party for your best friend at a venue and plan on providing alcoholic beverages there, you would be eligible for host liquor insurance.

On the other hand, businesses like bartenders, caterers, and food trucks in the business of selling or serving alcohol need a liquor liability policy. Take a wedding catering business, for example. They are not hosting the wedding, and serving alcohol is part of their business, so they do not qualify for host liquor liability coverage.

Learn more about the differences between liquor liability and host liquor liability insurance.

Can I Buy Host Liquor Coverage From Insurance Canopy?

You can purchase this coverage from our trusted partner, The Event Helper, starting at just $66.

Questions About Host Liquor Liability Coverage

Is Host Liquor Included in General Liability Insurance?

In most cases, yes. However, you should always check your policy or contact your insurance provider to confirm that your policy includes host liquor coverage.

How Much Does Host Liquor Liability Coverage Cost?

You can get host liquor coverage for as low as $66 for a small wedding, but your price is affected by three factors:

The size of your event
The type of event you’re hosting (concert, corporate mixer, retirement party, etc.)
Your location

How Long Does My Host Liquor Policy Last?

Event Helper allows you to select how many days you need your host policy in place, up to a year.

Please note that if you need long-term alcohol liability coverage because serving alcoholic beverages is part of your business practices, this policy will not protect you from those claims. If this applies to you, you need an annual liquor liability policy to properly safeguard your business.

Need additional information before making a decision?

Give our team a call today at 844.520.6993

Get a Host Liquor Liability Policy from The Event Helper Today

Shield your business from expensive claims and get the right coverage for your business’ needs with our trusted partner, The Event Helper!