Getting ready for an event comes with a million moving parts, but protecting it doesn’t have to be complicated. Event insurance keeps your budget safe, satisfies venue rules, and clears one big worry off your list. It’s a simple step that gives you room to breathe and enjoy the moment you’ve worked so hard to build.
TL;DR — How Event Insurance Works
What it is: Event insurance is a financial safety net that covers the cost of third-party injuries or property damage that occur at your event.
Who needs it: Event hosts, event planners, and vendors.
Why: Most venues require proof of insurance, and it saves you from paying for the risks that come with large gatherings.
How to get it:
- Gather your event details
- Get a free quote
- Customize your coverage
- Download your Certificate of Insurance (COI)
✅Protect your event with Insurance Canopy and consider your special occasion booked.💃
How Event Insurance Works for Hosts, Vendors, and Planners
If you’re hosting a wedding, conference, or holiday party, you need event liability insurance. A type of short-term coverage for special events, it covers the costs of unexpected accidents, like guest injuries or property damage to the venue.
The role you play in an event determines what kind of insurance you need:
- Vendor insurance: Best for caterers, bartenders, and photographers
- Event host insurance: Best for individuals or couples hosting events like weddings, birthday parties, retirement parties, and anniversary parties
- Event planner insurance: Event planners hired to organize someone else’s event
🤝Own a venue or event space? Protect your business by asking renters to carry insurance and list you as an additional insured. Share this article to help them understand what they need, how to get covered quickly, and keep everyone’s event on track.
What’s Covered vs What’s Not Covered
Whether you’re hosting your granddaughter’s wedding or planning a year-end company celebration, your event comes with unique risks. That’s why it’s important to know what’s covered and what’s not when choosing a policy.
| Coverage Type | What It Covers | What It Doesn't |
|---|---|---|
|
General Liability (included) |
Guest injuries, slip-and-fall accidents, accidental property damage |
Intentional damage or injury caused by illegal activities |
|
Medical Payments (included) |
Medical expenses for injured third parties (regardless of fault) |
Injuries to the insured or hired event staff |
|
Damage to Premises Rented (included) |
Damage to the venue (walls, floors, fixtures) caused during the event |
Normal wear and tear, pre-existing damage, damage outside event hours |
|
Liquor Liability (host liquor included, retail liquor is an add-on) |
Damages caused by an intoxicated guest |
Injuries or property damage unrelated to the service of alcohol |
|
Hired & Non-Owned Auto (add-on) |
Damages caused by vehicles rented or used for the event but not owned (delivery vans, rented trucks, etc.) |
Damage to the vehicle itself, personal errands, personal auto used improperly |
|
Cancellation/Postponement* (coming soon) |
Weather issues, vendor no-shows, sudden illness of key people, event shutdown beyond your control |
Canceling because ticket sales were low, rescheduling by choice, known weather threats |
*Insurance Canopy does not currently offer event cancellation or postponement insurance. To find out more about what types of events and activities are not covered, review the exclusions list while getting a quote.
General Liability
General liability insurance covers you for the costs of third-party injuries or property damage, meaning accidents that happen to someone else at the event (not you). It pays for:
- Medical bills
- Replacement or repair costs
- Legal defense costs
Real Life Example: The fog machine you used at a wedding caused water damage to the venue’s flooring. The owner sues you for repair costs and lost income during the repairs.
Medical Payments
Included in general liability is coverage for medical payments, or expenses for treatment after a third party is injured or gets sick from your event. This is a no-fault coverage, meaning your insurance pays even if the accident wasn’t your fault.
Real Life Example: A piece of improperly secured sound equipment falls on a guest’s head, sending them to the ER. Your insurance pays for their ER bill and follow-up medical treatment.
Damage to Premises Rented To You
Damage to a rented premises covers the cost to replace or make repairs to property that the venue owns and is damaged because of an incident that took place at your event.
Real Life Example: While setting up decorations for a wedding, the person you asked to carry in the backdrop for the ceremony accidentally hits the venue’s chandelier, causing it to break. Your coverage pays to replace the chandelier.
Liquor Liability
Liquor liability for events is insurance for alcohol-related incidents. If an intoxicated guest injures someone else or causes an accident, you could be held responsible.
Real Life Example: A guest leaves your event after being overserved and causes a car accident on the way home, injuring another driver and damaging their vehicle. They sue you for medical bills and repairs.
- If you are hosting the event, host liquor liability can cover your costs.
- If you are the bartender, retail liquor liability can cover your financial responsibility.
Pro tip: Serving alcohol at an event raises the risk of accidents, so choosing the right coverage is crucial. There are two types of liquor liability coverage:
- Host liquor liability is automatically included when alcohol is served for free, like an open bar.
- Retail liquor liability is an add-on required if you sell, serve, or provide alcohol as part of your business.
Event Cancellation or Postponement
Event cancellation or postponement insurance helps soften the financial blow of having to cancel or reschedule an event due to factors beyond your control, like illness, weather, or an overbooked venue.
Real Life Example: A couple planning an outdoor wedding has everything booked, paid for, and ready to go when a sudden severe storm warning forces the venue to shut down for safety. Insurance helps cover non-refundable deposits and the cost of booking a new venue or rescheduling.
Additional Insureds
Listing the venue owner, the venue itself, or the property manager as an additional insured protects them from being held liable for accidents at your event. Most event centers require it.
With Insurance Canopy, you can add as many additional insureds as you need at no extra cost, making it easy to meet venue requirements.
Why Do You Need Event Insurance?
You need event insurance because it protects your budget and reassures the venue that they won’t be left covering unexpected costs. It’s a simple way to demonstrate that you’re a responsible partner dedicated to ensuring the event runs smoothly for everyone.
Key Takeaways for Why You Need Event Insurance:
- The venue requires it: Secure your venue by having your Certificate of Insurance (COI) ready to go. Download, share, and add additional insureds as many times as you need.
- It protects your investment: You’re investing in the moment — and while that may feel priceless, event insurance helps make sure you’re not financially exposed.
- You need peace of mind: Behind every special occasion is the hard work and stress of preparing for it. Insurance has your back, so you’re not left worrying about the what-ifs.
How Much Coverage Do You Need?
Most venues ask you to carry a certain amount of liability coverage, typically $1M per-occurrence (how much insurance pays per accident) and $2M aggregate (total amount paid for an entire policy period).
You may need higher limits of liability if your event includes:
- Large crowds (over 100 people)
- Alcohol
- Higher-risk activities (as long as they’re covered)
💸Is Event Insurance Worth It?
Choosing $2M in coverage isn’t overdoing it. It simply means you’re paying a small, predictable amount now so a rare but expensive accident doesn’t wipe out your entire budget. A little preparation goes a long way toward keeping your event stress-free.
How Much Does Event Insurance Cost?
The cost of event insurance for a one-day event ranges from $88 for up to 100 guests to a starting price of $333 for as many as 5,000 guests. Adding liquor liability coverage also increases the cost. Meanwhile, an event vendor could pay as low as $49/event.
Your event size, type, attendance, duration, and the coverages and limits you choose factor into the final price. Below are examples of what it costs to insure common events based on real quotes.*
The Miller’s Baby Shower
Duration: 1 day
Attendance: 55
Liquor liability?: No
Starting price: $88
David & Kate’s Wedding Day
Duration: 1 day
Attendance: 100
Liquor liability?: Yes
Starting price: $163
Alice’s Charity Benefit
Duration: 1 day
Attendance: 1,700
Liquor liability?: No
Starting price: $226
*Quotes were obtained at the time of writing.
Insurance Canopy offers event insurance for 1–4 days or 5+ days, so you can choose the coverage that fits your event and keep costs low, often for less than an event permit.
How to Buy Event Insurance (Fast)
With Insurance Canopy, you can buy event insurance online in minutes — about as fast as it takes to send a digital invite. Start by gathering the details of your event, including how many days, your attendance, and the venue’s information, then follow these steps:
- Get a quote online: Use your event details to answer a few questions
- Customize your coverage: Add additional insureds and optional coverages to match the needs of your event and venue
- Download your COI: Get instant access to your proof of insurance via email or your online dashboard
Frequently Asked Questions About Event Insurance
Can I buy event insurance the same day as my event?
Yes. You can buy event insurance the same day as your event, as long as you purchase it before the event begins.
Many venues require proof of insurance up to 30 days in advance, so getting coverage earlier is often easier. Insurance Canopy allows you to purchase coverage up to 90 days before your event.
Can I add my venue as an additional insured?
Yes. Insurance Canopy lets you add your venue as an additional insured for free. You can enter the venue’s name and contact details during the quote process or add them later in your online dashboard.
Does event insurance cover multiple days or multiple events?
Yes. Event insurance can cover a single event lasting up to 10 days or multiple back-to-back events. This can include connected activities like a bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, ceremony, and reception. Your coverage also applies to setup and teardown days.
What happens if I need to cancel or reschedule my event?
If you need to cancel or reschedule your event, you can either cancel your event liability policy or change your date of coverage in your online dashboard. You must make these changes before your policy’s start date to qualify for a full refund or policy change.
Always read your policy documents to see the limits and conditions. Insurance Canopy does not currently offer event cancellation or postponement insurance.
