Wedding And Special Event Insurance Policy Information

Wedding And Special Event Insurance. Weddings, baby and bridal showers, baptisms, bar and bat mitzvahs, sporting events; life offers so many wonderful opportunities to celebrate! If you're planning on hosting a special event to commemorate a memorable moment, you want to ensure that everything goes as smoothly as possible.
While you've made sure that you've chosen the best venue, suppliers, and providers, and you've crossed all your T's and dotted all of your I's, you never know when something unexpected could occur and derail your plans.
How can you protect yourself from the unexpected? Invest in an entertainers and performers insurance policy. What is wedding and special event insurance? Why should you have it? Read on to find the answers to these questions and more so you can make sure that you're properly prepared for whatever life throws your way.
Wedding and special event insurance protects protects event holders from third-party lawsuits (and is often required by venues) - with rates under $59 per event. Get a fast quote and your certificate of insurance now.
Below are some answers to commonly asked wedding and special event insurance questions:
- What Is Wedding And Special Event Insurance?
- How Much Does Wedding And Special Event Insurance Cost?
- What Is Wedding And Special Event Insurance?
- Do You Need Insurance For Your Wedding Or Special Event?
- What Does Wedding And Special Event Insurance Cover?
- What Does Wedding And Special Event Insurance Cover & Pay For?
What Is Wedding And Special Event Insurance?
Wedding and special event insurance is a type of insurance policy designed specifically to cover events such as weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, and other special events. It provides protection against unforeseen events such as cancellations, damages, and losses that may occur during the planning and execution of the event.
This type of insurance covers various risks, including inclement weather, vendor no-shows, and personal injury, among others. It can also provide coverage for liability claims in case someone gets hurt or if there is property damage during the event.
The purpose of wedding and special event insurance is to provide peace of mind and financial protection for the host, as well as the guests, so that they can enjoy the special event without worrying about any unexpected problems.
How Much Does Wedding And Special Event Insurance Cost?
The average price of a standard $1,000,000/$2,000,000 General Liability Insurance policy for small weddings and special events ranges from $43 and up based on location, venue, number of guests and more.
What Is Wedding And Special Event Insurance?
Also known as "one-day" event insurance, spectator liability, or commercial general liability insurance, wedding and special event insurance is a policy that is designed to protect you from financial losses for special occasions.
Wedding and special event insurance can cover your costs in case you unexpectedly need to cancel, pay for medical expenses if a guest is injured, or if you're found responsible for property damage or injuries that occur during the event.
In addition to weddings, examples of special occasions and one-day events include:
- 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...
Essentially, anything that involves a gather of people for the intended purpose of celebrating something is considered a special event.
In the event that something unexpected arises that requires the cancellation of the event, or if you it's determined that the property where the event was held is damaged or someone who attended the event is injured, special event insurance covers the cost of any expenses that you are responsible for.
You can also add additional coverage to a special event insurance policy to cover specific items; food, clothing, audio-visual equipment, accessories, and more.
Do You Need Insurance For Your Wedding Or Special Event?

It depends, but most venues will require you to purchase general liability insurance for your event to protect you and them in case someone gets hurt or the property is damaged. You might even be at risk of losing your venue reservation if you don't provide proof of insurance.
To find out if you need to invest in special event insurance, make sure you consult with the owner and operator of the venue where you are holding your event.
You may also be asked to add the venue or facility to the wedding and special event insurance policy as an insured entity. The vendor or facility would be known as "Additional Insured" on your policy.
If you do require this type of policy, your point of contact must let you know. Additionally, they must let you know how much coverage you require.
If special event insurance is needed, it's important to note that you may need to provide your vendor with a certificate of insurance. In other words, you'll need to provide proof that you have purchased a liability insurance policy.
What Does Wedding And Special Event Insurance Cover?
The coverage this type of insurance provides varies. Most policies offer liability coverage, meaning that they protect you from having to pay for any damages that may occur within the facility or venue as a result of your special event, as well as any medical care that may be required if someone sustains an injury at your event.
It can also protect you from any financial losses in the event of an unexpected cancellation for circumstances out of your control such as:
- 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
Depending on the policy and the insurance provider you are working with, you may be able to add additional coverage to your wedding or special event policy. Following are some examples of additional coverage endorsements (which have titles that will vary among companies) are often offered as optional wedding coverages:
- Ancillary Activities: Typically, a basic wedding policy only covers the location of the wedding ceremony. This optional coverage extends protection to ancillary (related) events that are held at different locations. Most commonly the coverage is for the sites of rehearsal dinners, receptions, bridal showers/engagement parties and bachelor parties, but could also extend to something more unusual such as a separate photo studio session.
- Cake and Flowers: This optional coverage will reimburse the insured/honoree for expenses related to the loss, damage or destruction of the wedding cake, flowers and sometime other decorations. The typical coverage period is for the day of the event and the immediately preceding 24 hours. Covered locations include the home of the bride, groom, either party's parents, or the reception site. Coverage is effective during transit between these locations. Exclusions - Typical noncovered situations are losses that occur after the end of the event, transit losses when the property was not properly packed and/or secured and theft losses when the property is unattended.
- Call to Duty/Active Service: This optional coverage will reimburse the insured/honoree for certain expenses if the wedding is postponed or cancelled because the bride or groom is, suddenly, required to report for military duty. The coverage also applies if the event was planned during a scheduled military leave and the leave is revoked or cut short. Note: It is not unusual to have this eventuality covered under a basic wedding or event policy.
- Documents: This option responds to loss of wedding (or special event) related records or documents that occurs, typically, within 24 hours before, the day of, and 24 hours after event. It only applies to such property that is in the care or custody of key event (wedding party) participants. The insurer reserves the option of reimbursing the loss or replacing the items.
- Jewelry Rider: This option provides separate, comprehensive coverage for engagement and wedding rings, as well as accessory jewelry that is acquired specifically for the wedding (anything from bracelets, anklets or even tiaras). Naturally, pricing depends upon the documented value of the jewelry (bills of sales or, for older items, current appraisals). Coverage may be only for the bride and groom's jewelry. In some policies this coverage may be extended to cover borrowed or rented jewelry while on other policies such borrowed or rented jewelry may be covered only under a separate option, sometimes called "Special Jewelry" protection.
- Liquor Liability: Responds to allegations that the applicable insured/host of the wedding or reception is responsible for a loss due to his or her providing alcoholic beverages. This option is for instances where alcoholic beverages are sold, such as a reception that includes a cash bar or a cover charge.
- Marquee Cover: Provides coverage for a wedding and/or reception that is held in a marquee. A marquee is a larger, elaborate tent that is suitable for parties and which may include hard floors and luxury furnishings.
- Pregnancy Cover: Extends the wedding insurance policy to include cancellation or postponement due to the bride's pregnancy, but coverage usually terminates after a maximum number of weeks into the term, such as 28 weeks.
- Professional Counseling: This coverage is subject to the deductible appearing on the form. It responds to the expense faced by a former honoree to receive professional help to deal with the cancellation of the wedding. Note: The need for counseling needs to be determined and recommended by a licensed physician.
- Stationery: This option responds to loss of wedding (or special event) related stationery that occurs, typically, within 30 days of the covered event. Exclusions - Typical noncovered situations are losses that occur after the end of the event, transit losses when the property was not properly packed and/or secured and theft losses when the property is unattended.
- Weather Conditions: Wedding policies cover wedding postponements or cancellations that are caused by extreme weather conditions such as flooding, earthquakes, blizzards, hurricanes, etc. Routine weather activity is usually excluded. However, if the event is particularly expensive and weather is a major concern, optional coverage may be available, but usually for a very specific cause. Coverage and rates will be highly dependent upon available forecasts for the date of the event and the rider may be written for a coverage period of only a few hours.
- Wedding Liability: Many companies that offer wedding insurance may have basic policies that only cover first party losses suffered by the insured or honoree. In those instances, optional coverage is usually available to cover losses or lawsuits involving third parties (typically wedding guests/reception attendees) who suffer bodily injury or property damage and allege that the hosts are responsible./li>
The amount of coverage you will need to carry depends on what the facility or venue where you are hosting your event requires.
What Does Wedding And Special Event Insurance Cover & Pay For?

Here are some examples of Wedding and Special Event claims and how Wedding and Special Event insurance can help pay for the lawsuit:
Injury to a guest: If a guest is injured at a wedding or special event, they may file a lawsuit against the event host. Wedding and Special Event insurance can help pay for the guest's medical expenses and any legal fees incurred in defending against the lawsuit.
Property damage: If the venue or rental equipment is damaged during a wedding or special event, the event host may be held liable for the cost of repairs or replacement. Wedding and Special Event insurance can help pay for these expenses.
Vendor non-performance: If a vendor fails to provide the contracted services for a wedding or special event, the event host may have to hire a replacement vendor and pay for the original vendor's breach of contract. Wedding and Special Event insurance can help pay for the cost of hiring a replacement vendor and any legal fees incurred in pursuing damages from the original vendor.
Wedding cancellation or postponement: If a wedding or special event is canceled or postponed due to unforeseen circumstances such as illness, extreme weather, or venue closure, the event host may incur significant financial losses from deposits and other expenses. Wedding and Special Event insurance can help cover these losses.
Liquor liability: If a guest at a wedding or special event causes an accident or injury while under the influence of alcohol, the event host may be held liable for the damages. Wedding and Special Event insurance can help pay for any legal fees and damages awarded in a lawsuit.
Overall, Wedding and Special Event insurance can provide peace of mind for event hosts by helping to mitigate financial losses in the event of unforeseen circumstances or accidents.
Wedding And Special Event Insurance - The Bottom Line
To learn more about wedding and special event insurance, speak to reputable broker that specializes in commercial insurance.
Additional Resources For Arts & Recreation Insurance
Read up on small business arts and recreation commercial insurance.
- Amusement Parks
- Archery Ranges
- Artist
- Athletic Fields
- Ballparks
- Ballrooms
- Billiard And Pool Halls
- Bowling Alleys
- Carnivals
- Cave Tours
- Dance Studio
- Disc Jockey DJ
- Drive-In Theaters
- Entertainers And Performers
- Event Planning
- Fairs And Fairgrounds
- Film Production
- Fine Art
- Guides & Outfitters
- Handball & Racquetball Courts
- Horse & Dog Racetracks
- Indoor Sports Complexes
- Interior Decorator
- Interior Design
- Motorsports Racetracks
- Musicians
- Photo Booth
- Photographer
- Recording Studio
- Recreation Centers
- Riding Stables
- Roller Sakting Rinks
- Shooting Ranges
- Skateparks
- Skeet & Trap Shooting Ranges
- Ski Resorts
- Stadiums
- Talent Agency
- Tennis Centers
- Theaters
- Video Arcades
- Wedding And Special Event
- Specialty Arts And Antiques
- Specialty Clubs And Leisure Time Activities
- Specialty Entertainment

The arts and recreation industry is a vital part of our society and culture, providing entertainment and enjoyment for people of all ages. However, as with any business, there are inherent risks and potential liabilities that can arise. This is where insurance comes into play.
One of the main reasons the arts and recreation industry needs insurance is to protect against financial losses due to accidents or injuries. For example, if a performer is injured while rehearsing or performing, their medical bills and lost wages could be significant. Without insurance, the cost of these expenses could potentially bankrupt a small arts organization.
In addition to protecting against accidents and injuries, business insurance can also cover damages or losses due to weather events, natural disasters, and other unexpected circumstances. For example, if a theater is forced to cancel a performance due to a power outage or extreme weather, insurance can help cover lost income and expenses.
Another important aspect of commercial insurance for the arts and recreation industry is liability coverage. This type of insurance can protect against legal claims and lawsuits if someone is injured or becomes ill while attending an event or using facilities. For example, if a patron slips and falls at a theater, they may file a lawsuit against the venue for damages. Liability insurance can help cover the costs of legal fees and any settlement or judgement.
Overall, the arts and recreation industry needs insurance to protect against financial losses and legal liabilities that can arise in the course of business. Without commercial insurance, small arts organizations and recreational facilities could be vulnerable to financial ruin in the face of unexpected events or accidents.
Minimum recommended small business insurance coverage: Business Income with Extra Expense, Employee Dishonesty, Money and Securities, Accounts Receivable, Commercial Articles Floater, Computers, Valuable Papers and Records, General Liability, Employee Benefits Liability, Umbrella Liability, Hired and Non-owned Auto Liability & Workers Compensation.
Other commercial insurance policies to consider: Building, Bailees Customers Floater, Money and Securities, Cyber Liability, Employment-related Practices Liability, Business Auto Liability and Physical Damage and Stop Gap Liability.