You turn Pinterest boards into parties, spreadsheets into love stories, and chaos into “the best day ever.” Ensuring you have proof of insurance isn’t exactly the most aesthetically pleasing part of your plans, but it’s one of the most essential pieces.
Protecting your passion with wedding and event planner insurance is one of the easiest and smartest moves you can make today. Because after the confetti falls and the guests go home, you don’t want to be left on the dance floor with a claim.
TL;DR
Wedding and event planning insurance provides liability coverage for professional planners, protecting against accidents and professional mistakes. Since planners provide expert guidance, this coverage is a key part of our consultants insurance offering.
Why You Need Insurance Coverage (It’s Not Just for “Big” Planners)
You juggle so many tasks as an event planner, you could fill in for a juggling act at the circus! But no matter how much you color-code your timeline or confirm your vendors, you can still get blindsided by a guest injury, a vendor mishap, or a last-minute venue issue.
This is where event planner insurance becomes your behind-the-scenes assistant. It protects your income, reputation, and peace of mind, so one accident doesn’t undo all your hard work!
It helps pay for things like:
- Guest injuries or venue damage (general liability)
- Planning mistakes or vendor mix-ups (professional liability)
- Defense costs or legal fees (if someone sues you)
Wedding planner insurance also helps you get venue approval fast. Most event spaces require you to have and show proof of insurance. When you can show up to a meeting or a venue call already insured, it shows you’re a professional who’s prepared for anything.
The Real-World Risks Planners Face
You’ve triple checked the catering. You’ve rehearsed the walk down the aisle. You’ve helped solve an audio issue. What you didn’t plan for was grandma to trip over an extra-long table runner or the baker never to arrive.
Insurance exists for this exact reason! It’s intended to take the chaos and costs off your plate for claims, such as:
- A guest tripping on your décor setup, breaking an ankle
- Your assistant accidentally damages the venue wall
- Someone falsely accuses your staff of inappropriate behavior
You can cover medical bills, repairs, and even lawsuit expenses with a single policy. So the next time life tries to throw you a curveball (or a champagne flute), you can handle it without panic.
3 Essential Coverages Every Planner Needs
The base of every event planner liability policy starts with three core coverages. Like the perfect grazing platter spread, these coverages complement each other and help protect your business from some of the most common claims you may face.
General Liability Insurance
General liability covers bodily injury, property damage, and legal defense costs if something goes wrong at your event. This is the coverage every venue will expect to see on your Certificate of Insurance (COI).
Professional Liability Insurance
Professional liability (or E&O insurance) protects you if a client claims your professional advice or coordination caused financial loss. This coverage specifically covers your expertise, because advice is part of your job, not your risks!
Additional Insureds
Venues often require you to list them as an additional insured (AI) on your policy. This means your coverage extends to them if something tied to your work causes a claim.
An additional insured may be someone who owns the space you’re using for an event or is hiring you to plan an event, like a:
- Venue
- Property manager
- City
- Business
You can cover medical bills, repairs, and even lawsuit expenses with a single policy. So the next time life tries to throw you a curveball (or a champagne flute), you can handle it without panic.
Optional (But Seriously Smart) Add-Ons
While the standard event planner policy covers most of your bases, it doesn’t cover everything. No two planners work the same, and neither should your insurance. That’s why we offer optional add-on coverage:
- Tools and Equipment (Inland Marine): Covers the cost to repair or replace mobile business gear, like laptops, signage, floral tools, or lighting, if it’s stolen or damaged
- Commercial Auto: Covers you while driving for business errands or deliveries (most personal car insurance policies won’t cover business use)
- Cyber Liability: Covers the cost for you and your clients to recover from a cyber attack, like data breaches, phishing scams, or hacked client payments
- Sexual Abuse and Molestation (SAM): Covers legal defense and costs if you or a team member is accused of sexual misconduct or negligence (even false claims)
- Workers Compensation: Covers medical bills and lost wages for injured employees (required in most states once you hire someone, not including yourself)
- Fidelity Bonds: Protects clients if an employee commits theft or fraud, and is often required when working with corporate clients
Think of these like “peace-of-mind upgrades.” Add what fits your business to personalize your policy. The best part? You can opt into these coverages at any time! So as your business grows, so can your policy.
Other Types of Policies You’ll Hear About
You’ve probably heard of event insurance, liquor insurance, or vendor insurance and wondered, “Do I already have that?” In short: no, and that’s by design.
Your policy protects you and your business, not the entire event. Venues, vendors, and bartenders all carry their own coverage, so the liability (and cost) doesn’t fall entirely on you!
| Type of Policy | What It Covers | Who Buys It |
|---|---|---|
|
Protects the event itself (guests, venue property, complimentary alcohol) |
– Clients |
|
|
Covers alcohol service or sales at your event |
– Bartenders |
|
|
Protects other professionals working at your event |
– DJs |
Pro-Tip If you plan events that serve alcohol, just make sure the person pouring (you or the bartender) has liquor liability and lists you as an additional insured.
The Average Cost of Wedding and Event Planner Insurance
Most wedding and event planning consultants pay between $21–$30 per month for insurance. The cost of consultant insurance depends on factors like:
- Number of events or clients
- Coverage limits required
- Whether you serve alcohol or hire staff
- Add-ons like tools and equipment or SAM coverage
In perspective, it’s less than a floral arrangement or a balloon arch, and it can save your business from a six-figure loss.
How Much Coverage Do You Actually Need?
Most venues require you to have $1 million per occurrence / $2 million aggregate in liability coverage. This is a fairly standard requirement, so it’s essential to know if you’re choosing the right type of coverage for your entire business and not just for a venue’s contract.
Picking the right policy is about matching your coverage to how (and where) you work. Use this quick guide to find your best fit:
Say Yes to the Perfect Policy
Do you plan just a few small events a year?
Examples: birthdays, baby showers, backyard gatherings
Best fit: Event Host Insurance
✔️ Covers one event at a time
✔️ Ideal for occasional planners or side gigs
❌ Does not cover your professional services (like advice and planning)
Do you work with multiple clients a month to plan events full-time?
Examples: weddings, corporate events, private galas
Best fit: Event Planner Insurance
✔️ Covers your professional planning services
✔️ Helps meet venue requirements
❌ Does not cover the event itself
Do your events involve alcohol?
Examples: open bars, wine tastings, holiday parties
Best fit: Liquor Liability Insurance
✔️ Required for vendors serving or selling alcohol
➕ Only buy a policy if you’re pouring drinks or profiting from sales
➕ Make sure bartenders add you as an additional insured
Do you use your own gear or supplies to plan events?
Examples: decorations, laptop, lighting equipment
Best fit: Tools & Equipment Coverage
✔️ Covers mobile supplies you use to run your business
✔️ Pays to repair or replace items if stolen or damaged
✔️ Protects your gear in storage, transit, or on-site
How to Get a COI and Add a Venue in Minutes
As a newlywed myself, I know the last-minute demands can come rolling in like a freight train. When a venue starts asking for your Certificate of Insurance “ASAP,” here’s how you can turn around and share proof of insurance within minutes:
- Buy a policy online
- Provide details about your business
- Choose your coverage
- Add additional insureds
- Review, pay, and download your COI instantly
Or
- Log in to your online account
- Click “Add Additional Insureds”
- Enter the venue’s information
- Access an updated COI from your dashboard instantly
You can add unlimited venues and download an unlimited number of COIs at any time at no extra cost. Same-day coverage, zero stress!
Plan Boldly, Celebrate Fully
The only thing that should be surprising about event planning is a surprise party. With the right insurance, you’ll meet venue requirements easily, protect your income, and focus on what you do best: creating joy.
Start your quote today with Insurance Canopy and protect your business with the same care you put into every event!
FAQs About Wedding and Event Planner Insurance
How Much Coverage Do Venues Typically Require?
Venues typically require $1 million per occurrence / $2 million aggregate in general liability coverage. You may also be asked to add them as an additional insured or add endorsements, like a Waiver of Subrogation or a Primary Non-Contributory agreement.
Do Wedding Planners Need Both General and Professional Liability?
Yes, wedding planners need both general and professional liability insurance to protect their business.
- General liability covers physical accidents (like injuries or property damage)
- Professional liability covers service mistakes (like scheduling errors)
What’s the Difference Between Wedding Planner Insurance and Wedding Insurance for Couples?
The difference between wedding planner insurance and wedding insurance for couples is the type of coverage included and how long the coverage lasts.
- Wedding planner insurance is an annual policy that includes professional liability coverage and covers you for your professional planning services
- Wedding insurance for couples (aka event host insurance) protects an event and the person(s) hosting it (aka someone who is not a professional planner), and the coverage only lasts for the duration of the event
Can I Buy Coverage Per Event or Monthly?
Yes, you buy coverage monthly with our payment plan options. We offer monthly and annual payments on event planner insurance.
Paying per event is only offered with event insurance (and this coverage is not made to cover professional planning services).
When Should I Raise My Event Planner Insurance Limits?
You should raise your event planner insurance limits if:
- A venue requires higher coverage
- You handle large-scale or multi-day events
- You manage subcontractors or alcohol service
- You use high-value equipment or decor
When in doubt, ask the venue for their exact insurance requirements. Most planners find that the standard liability limits, additional insureds, and optional endorsements meet the needs of most venues and clients.
