Frequently Asked Questions: Event Liability & Property Damage Insurance

What is Special Event Liability insurance?

Special Event Liability & Property Damage Insurance is a specialty insurance policy designed to indemnify the host / honoree from certain types of claims arising from accidents taking place during the event. It offers protection for the host / honoree for damage to the facility caused by a guest or vendor, bodily injury to guests they are found liable for, and alcohol-related accidents they are found liable for (if Host liquor coverage is included on the policy).

What policy limits are available for Special Event Liability Insurance?

There are three different liability insurance policies currently available in most states.

  • $500,000 general aggregate with $500,000 per occurrence including property damage
  • $1,000,000 general aggregate with $1,000,000 per occurrence including property damage
  • $2,000,000 general aggregate with $1,000,000 per occurrence including property damage

Each policy includes Host Liquor Liability coverage.
(If you do not need Host Liquor Liability coverage, you may exclude it from your policy for a reduced premium.)

What types of events are covered?

We cover both private events and select business events.

We cover these private events: Anniversary Party, Baby Shower, Baptism, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Birthday Party, Class reunion, Engagement Party, Family Reunion, Graduation Party, House Warming, memorial service, Private Achievement Celebration, Private Holiday Party, Quinceanera, Retirement Party, Sweet Sixteen, Wedding Shower, Wedding Rehearsal Dinner (visit our sister site WedSafe for complete wedding ceremony, reception and rehearsal dinner coverage package).

We cover these business functions: Business Dinner, Non-Profit Function, Corporate Private Party, Fundraising Dinner, and Business Meeting. (Business Event coverage is not yet available in all states. Please contact customer service to confirm availability.)

How do I purchase a Special Event Liability Insurance Policy?

The fastest is way is to complete the online application, paying for the policy using a major credit card. You can also contact one of our customer service representatives to complete an application over the phone: Toll Free – 1-877-723-3933.

If your event is at least 30 days away, you also have the option of paying by check or money order. Please call us to request a paper application. Full payment is due at the time of application.

How far in advance must I purchase my Special Event Liability Event Policy for my event to be covered?

A Special Event Liability Event Policy must be purchased at least 24 hours before your event. It can be purchased up to 2 years in advance of the event date.

I live in one state but my event is in a different state. Which state should I select to get a Quote?

You should always select the state where you live, regardless of where your event will take place.

Who is protected under an Event Liability policy?

The policy protects the person or business/organization under whose name it was purchased (the "Named Insured"). If it is a private event, up to 2 honorees may also be included in the policy. (An "honoree" is the person in whose honor the event is being held – for example, if you hosted an anniversary party for your parents, your parents would be the honorees.)

Your event venue(s) can also be added as Additional Insured. Please note that you cannot add vendors (for example, caterers or musicians) under this policy. Any vendors at your event should have their own liability insurance. If they need coverage, we suggest they try our sister company, K & K insurance at 1-866-554-4636.

What does "Named Insured" mean? / Who is or should be the "Named Insured"?

The "Named Insured" is the person or business/organization in whose name the policy was purchased. Typically the Named Insured would be the same person or business / organization entity that signed the contract with the venue.

Does a Special Event Liability Policy have a deductible?

There is no deductible for general liability coverage, but there is a $1,000.00 deductible applicable to third-party property damage claims.

Can I purchase a Special Event Liability Policy without purchasing an Event Cancellation / Postponement Plus Policy?

Yes, a Special Event Liability Event Policy can be purchased either alone or together with an Event Cancellation Policy. As a Special Event Liability Event Policy does not cover the same items and risks covered by an Event Cancellation Policy, clients are strongly encouraged to purchase both types of protection. If both policies are purchased at the same time a 15% discount will be applied to each policy.

Is the Special Event Liability Policy primary insurance?

If the Named Insured is held to be solely at fault in a claim the Special Event Liability Policy is primary insurance for both the named insured and any additional insureds listed on the policy.

My venue requires me to show evidence of liability insurance. Is a Special Event Liability Insurance Policy suitable for this?

Yes, a Special Event Liability Policy allows you to name your Ceremony, Reception, and Rehearsal venue as additional insureds without additional charge.

How will I receive my Liability Policy? / How will I receive the Certificate of Liability Insurance that is required by my venue?

Most purchasers can download their policies and certificates right from the web site as soon as the purchase is complete; a copy will also be e-mailed to you. We can also e-mail the Certificate of Liability directly to your venue if you have provided their e-mail address on your application.

If you have entered special wording for your venue, we will review your wording before finalizing your purchase. In this case you will receive a certificate of liability insurance, via e-mail, within 1 business day of the completion of the application. If requested on the application form, the venue will also receive a certificate within the same time frame, via e-mail.

Does a Special Event Liability Insurance Policy provide coverage for alcohol-related accidents?

The policy includes Host Liquor Liability coverage to protect against alcohol-related accidents. If a guest gets into an accident on the drive home from the event and sues the named insured, the liability policy will respond by providing a defense for the insured host to investigate the claim. If the insured is at fault, the liability policy will respond from a damages perspective.

My venue is requiring a 30 day cancellation notice to be listed on a certificate of insurance. Does your certificate include this?

A Cancellation notice is included in the bottom right section of our certificate of liability insurance. Please see our sample certificate of insurance to review the full wording.

Can I add my vendors, such as the photographer, DJ, musicians, etc. to my liability policy as additional insureds or can I purchase a policy in their name?

No. Private Event Liability insurance affords coverage for the honoree(s) and/or host of the event. The venue is the only entity that can be added to the certificate as an additional insured. Your vendors can try K & K insurance at 866-554-4636 for their own coverage.

My venue has specific wording to be added to the certificate of liability. Can Private Event Insurance accommodate this?

During the application process, you can enter your venue's required wording. A Private Event Insurance representative will review the language and if approved you will receive notification via e-mail, within 1 business day.

My event runs past midnight. Will I be covered?

Coverage will be provided if your event runs past midnight at the location listed on the declarations page, until the time the event ends at that location.

My venue requires liability insurance for my event, including set up and tear down. Can Private Event Insurance provide this?

The Special Event Liability policy will afford coverage for the day of the event as well as the 24 hours prior to the event and 24 hours after the event for the set up and tear down.

What is Host Liquor Liability Insurance?

Host Liquor Liability Insurance provides protection against bodily injury or property damage suits brought by parties injured as a result of an intoxicated guest who was served alcohol at an event you hosted.

Where can I view a sample policy and sample certificate of liability?

A sample policy is available for review as well as sample certificates for all 3 levels of coverage. The certificates can be printed and provided to your venue, prior to purchasing the policy, to confirm acceptance by your venue of the limits. The sample policy and certificates can be found here.

What is the refund policy for the Special Event Liability Insurance Policy?

Policy premiums, taxes, and other charges are fully earned at inception of policy coverage and are non-refundable in the event of cancellation of coverage at any time by the insured,with the exception of residents of Maryland, Montana and Michigan..

Is purchasing Event Liability insurance from your web site safe?

Our web application uses state-of-the art security measures and is monitored daily by independent web security certification service HackerSafe, so you can be comfortable making your Private Event Insurance online purchase. But if you prefer, you may call customer service and complete your purchase over the phone.

If you prefer to pay by check or money order and your event is at least 30 days away you may request a paper application be mailed or faxed to you.

Whom do I call if I have to make a claim?

You should contact a Private Event Insurance claim agent as soon as possible at Markel American Insurance Company – Claims Department at 800-236-3113 (Toll Free), who are available, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist you in the handling of any claim.