Event Cancellation Insurance Policy Information

Please note: if you are seeking event cancellation coverage for Coronavirus COVID-19: it is not available from insurers as it is deemed a pre-existing condition... and it is specifically excluded from all event cancellation policies.
Event Cancellation Insurance. Event cancellation insurance is a type of insurance that provides financial protection in the event that an event, such as a concert, wedding, or trade show, is cancelled or postponed due to unforeseen circumstances, such as bad weather, illness, or a natural disaster.
This insurance typically covers the costs associated with cancelling or rescheduling the event, including venue fees, deposits, and other expenses. It may also cover the costs of nonrefundable travel arrangements for attendees, vendors, or performers.
Event cancellation insurance is often purchased by event planners, event venues, or individuals organizing events to protect against financial losses in the event of a cancellation or postponement.
Event cancellation insurance may help cover expenses if your special occasion unexpectedly needs to be canceled or postponed due to circumstances beyond your control - with rates as low as $17/mo. Get a fast quote now and protect your investment now.
Below are some answers to commonly asked event cancellation insurance questions:
- What Is Event Cancellation Insurance?
- How Much Does Event Cancellation Insurance Cost?
- What Does Event Cancellation Insurance Cover?
- How Much Event Cancellation Insurance Coverage Do I Need?
- What Type Of Events Does Event Cancellation Insurance Cover?
- What Are These Causes Of Loss That Event Cancellation Insurance May Cover?
- What Does Event Cancellation Insurance Cover & Pay For?
What Is Event Cancellation Insurance?
Event cancellation insurance, as the name suggests, is an insurance policy that protects you in the event that a special event that you have planned has to be cancelled or postponed as a result of unforeseen circumstances.
For example, if a family member were to perish, a weather emergency occurred, event cancellation insurance would help to cover lost costs as a result of the cancellation or postponement. This policy will also cover lost costs if a vendor, officiant, or another professional who is providing a service for your event does not provide the services they were hired for.
It's important to note, however, that this policy likely will not cover lost costs in the event that you or someone else voluntarily calls off the event; if a bride calls off a wedding, for instance.
With this type of policy, generally, you would select the limit for your insurance, or the maximum amount the insurance company who is providing the policy will reimburse you if you decide to file a claim. That amount is usually dependent on the total cost of the event. You should also know that if you do file a claim, it's likely that you will have to pay a deductible before your insurance company will issue a reimbursement for the amount that your policy covers.
How Much Does Event Cancellation Insurance Cost?
Event cancellation insurance costs range from under $100 into the thousands based on the type, location, season and size and duration of the event.
What Does Event Cancellation Insurance Cover?
Event cancellation insurance coverage insures against the financial loss arising out of the cancellation, interruption, or postponement of a covered event, as long as the source of the cancellation or postponement is covered in the policy.
However, typically, most policies will reimburse you for the following expenses in the event that your event is canceled or postponed:
- Nonrefundable down payments on things like your venue, caterer, florist, photographer, entertainment provider, and even travel plans for the event.
- Special attire for your event. For instance, if your wedding dress is destroyed by a seamstress, an event cancellation policy may help to cover the cost of the damages.
- Jewelry, such as wedding rings, a wedding tiara, or other types of jewelry that was lost or damaged at the event. It may even cover the jewelry for a certain period of time after the event; for instance, if you were to lose your engagement ring while on your honeymoon, event cancelation insurance may cover the cost.
- Gifts, such as special tokens that you were intending on giving to your bridal party.
- Counseling that you may require as a result of the undue distress that having to cancel or postpone your event may cause; appointments with a therapist and any medications that you might require, for example.
- Military deployment - if your event has to be canceled as a result of a deployment either for you or a loved one - an event cancellation insurance policy may cover the cost of the fees that you could lose.
- Coronavirus COVID-19 event cancellation is not available from insurers as it is deemed a pre-existing condition and it is specifically excluded from all event cancellation policies.
It is important to note that event cancellation insurance does not cover losses caused by poor event planning, bad marketing, or lack of interest in the event.
How Much Event Cancellation Insurance Coverage Do I Need?

The amount of event cancellation insurance you should carry depends on the details of your event; the combined cost of the venue, the vendors, attire, jewelry, etc.
To determine how much coverage you should carry, it's a good idea to consult with a reputable insurance broker or agent that specializes in this type of policy.
This professional can help to direct you in the right direction to ensure that you purchase a policy that offers enough coverage to properly protect you should your event have to be unexpectedly canceled or delayed.
What Type Of Events Does Event Cancellation Insurance Cover?
Some of the events that event cancellation insurance can cover are:
- Anniversary parties
- Athletic / Sporting Events
- Award Ceremonies
- Baby Showers
- Baptism
- Bar or Bat Mitzvah
- Birthday parties
- Charity Functions
- Community events
- Company Parties
- Concerts & Music Events
- Conferences
- Conventions & Meetings
- Corporate Hospitality
- Employee Incentive Trips
- Fairs & Festivals
- Fashion Shows
- Graduations
- Housewarming parties
- Major Sporting events
- Memorial services
- Motorsport events
- Product Launches
- Quinceaneras
- Retirement parties
- Special events
- Trade Shows & Exhibitions
- Teleconferences
- Theatre Productions
- Weddings
- and many more...
What Are These Causes Of Loss That Event Cancellation Insurance May Cover?
Some of triggers to activate event cancellation insurance may include:
- Any other previously unforeseen cause not excluded
- Damage to leased or rented venues
- Damage to surrounding venues or infrastructure resulting in lack of access
- Failure of TV broadcast
- Failure of public transport facilities or denial of access
- Inability to erect facilities at venue
- Labor Dispute/Strike risks
- Natural catastrophe such as earthquake and flood
- Non-appearance of key speakers, performers, or personnel due to death, injury, or illness
- Power failure
- Satellite and signal transmission failure
- Spread of communicable diseases (COVID-19 Coronavirus currently excluded)
- War, terrorism, sabotage, and civil or political unrest
- Weather and environment related perils such as rain, snow, wind, and earthquakes
What Does Event Cancellation Insurance Cover & Pay For?

Event Cancellation Insurance is designed to provide financial protection for event organizers when unforeseen circumstances cause an event to be canceled or postponed. Here are some examples of claims that could be covered under this type of insurance:
- Extreme weather conditions: If a severe storm or other natural disaster makes it impossible to hold the event, Event Cancellation Insurance can help pay for the costs associated with canceling or postponing the event, such as non-refundable deposits, venue rental fees, and marketing expenses.
- Illness or death of a key participant: If a key participant, such as a speaker, performer, or athlete, becomes ill or dies before the event, Event Cancellation Insurance can help pay for the costs associated with finding a replacement or canceling the event.
- Venue damage or closure: If the venue where the event is supposed to be held is damaged or closed due to unforeseen circumstances, such as a fire, flood, or power outage, Event Cancellation Insurance can help cover the costs associated with canceling or postponing the event.
- Terrorism or political unrest: If a terrorist attack or political unrest makes it unsafe to hold the event, Event Cancellation Insurance can help cover the costs associated with canceling or postponing the event.
- Lawsuits: If a lawsuit is filed against the event organizer, Event Cancellation Insurance can help pay for legal fees and other costs associated with defending the lawsuit.
Overall, Event Cancellation Insurance can provide valuable protection for event organizers in case of unexpected circumstances that force them to cancel or postpone their events.
Event Cancellation Insurance - The Bottom Line
It's a good idea to only insure events that are of significant financial consequence to yourself or your business. It doesn't usually make financial sense to insure smaller events.
Additional Resources For Small Business Insurance
Protect your company and employees with the right commercial insurance policies. Read informative articles on small business insurance coverages - and how they can help shield your company from legal liabilities.
- Small Business
- Aviation
- Business General Liability
- Business Interruption
- Business Liability
- Business Owners Policy (BOP)
- Certificate of Insurance
- CGL
- Commercial Auto
- Commercial Crime
- Commercial Package Policy
- Commercial Property
- Commercial Umbrella
- Comprehensive General Liability
- Cyber Liability
- Directors and Officers Liability
- Employment Practices Liability
- Event Cancellation
- Fiduciary Liability
- General Liability
- Home Based Business
- Independent Contractor
- Liability Insurance Certificate
- Liability Insurance
- LLC
- Ocean Marine
- Professional Liability
- Self-Employed
- Specialty Directors And Officers Liability
- Specialty Errors And Omissions
- Specialty Excess

Businesses need commercial insurance to protect their assets, employees, and customers. It helps to cover the costs of potential accidents, lawsuits, and other unforeseen events that can result in financial loss.
For example, if a customer slips and falls on a wet floor in a store, the business could be held liable for their injuries. Commercial insurance can help cover the costs of medical bills and legal fees associated with the incident.
Additionally, businesses often have valuable equipment and inventory that need to be protected from theft or damage. Commercial insurance can provide coverage for these items in the event of a disaster, such as a fire or natural disaster.
Furthermore, businesses often have employees that can be injured on the job. Workers compensation insurance can provide coverage for medical bills and lost wages for injured employees.
Overall, commercial insurance is a necessary tool for businesses to protect their assets, employees, and customers. Without it, businesses could face significant financial loss in the event of an unexpected occurrence.