A Short Primer on Event Liability Insurance

May 5 2010

If you are an events coordinator or events planner or an events organizer, one of the most essential parts of your business should be to have an event liability insurance plan. Managing an event can be really challenging – not to mention very rewarding as well – but it is not without any risks, not only to you but also to others.

Here is an example: you are the events manager or events organizer of a certain social ball / gathering. There are a lot of people in attendance, and of course, the occasion would not be complete without the presence of some free flowing alcohol. It cannot be avoided then, that some of the guests may drink a bit too much, and when drunkenness comes into play, then the chances for some untoward incident happening is significantly increased. A simple slip and fall, even if the injuries are superficial and minor in nature, can result in a damaging lawsuit that can ruin you financially as well as professionally. Having event liability insurance makes sure that you have something to fall back on just in case things do not work out the way you’ve planned.

When looking for an outfit that will give you your event liability insurance plan, make sure the company is well-recommended, especially within the circles you work in. You can visit community sites, official websites and ask for personal recommendations and experiences from others to determine if the said company is reliable, trustworthy, and gives good value for your money. Try to shop around first for the right one – research, get quotes and estimates. Even before you have an event, it would be best if you immediately have somewhere to run to in case a rush event pops up on your calendar.

Since there are also different kinds of event liability insurance policies, you need to discuss the particular plan you want with whoever handles your account. This is because the terms and conditions and fees can vary according to the type of event you are having. For example event liability insurance for something like a wedding would be different from a event liability insurance from a rock concert. All types of events are covered, big or small, and if in case you event has concessionaires or tenants. There are also event liability insurance policies which cover them as well. This kind of insurance is so important that some event venues will not allow organizers who are not insured.

Speaking of terms and conditions, you need to take the time - or hire somebody who will – take a look at the insurance policy well, right down to the fine print. Many event planners make the mistake of simply signing a contract without fully understanding the conditions stipulated in the said contract. This leads to more problems and misunderstanding, not to mention the hassle of handling issues like this, so you are much better of knowing what’s in your contract before you affix your signature. Preferably, you also consult with a lawyer – or at least somebody knowledgeable in such matters to take a look at the document in question before you agree to make it legal and binding.