Florida Event Liability Insurance

What if you are holding a graduation party at a banquet hall and someone accidentally starts a fire in the kitchen? What if you are throwing a holiday party for your employees at an outside venue and someone is significantly injured while attending? What if you are hosting a fundraising event in your home and the food you are serving your guests is contaminated with listeria, causing several to require medical attention?

While these sorts of problems do not happen often, they are something you should consider before hosting a large event. Investing in an event liability insurance policy prior to the gathering can help you protect your finances if something goes wrong.

Event liability insurance is more affordable than you might think. Talk to an independent insurance agent in Florida to learn more about this important coverage.

What Is Event Liability Insurance?

Event liability insurance goes by a few different names, including “special event insurance,” “one-day event insurance,” and, simply, “event insurance.”

It is a specialized insurance policy that is designed to protect the the event host by shielding them from potential liability risks that can cause them large financial losses.

Examples of the sorts of gatherings you may want to cover with event liability insurance include:

• Weddings
• Retirement banquets
• Bar and bat mitzvahs
• Graduation parties
• Fundraisers
• High school reunions
• Family reunions

When you are planning a special event, be sure to talk to an independent insurance agent in Florida for help finding a reliable, yet affordable, event insurance policy to protect your financial interests.

Is Liability Insurance Required for Private Events in Florida?

While event liability coverage is not required by law in Florida, it is likely to be required by the venue in which your event is being held. If you are renting a banquet hall for a wedding, the hall may require you to purchase event liability insurance for the day of your event.

Whether or not it is required, these policies can save you a lot of money if an unexpected tragedy happens during your event.

How Much Does Liability Insurance Cost for an Event in Florida?

Event liability is relatively inexpensive, so costs shouldn’t hinder you from purchasing a policy. Rates are typically based on factors such as:

• The location where your event will be held.
• How long your event will take place.
• The number people you expect to attend your event.
• The amount of coverage you are purchasing.
• Whether or not food and/or alcohol will be served at your event.

To get a ballpark idea of what you might be expected to pay, the average cost to cover a single-day event is around $175, and the average cost to cover a 10-day event is around $250.

The only way to find out much it will cost to cover your event in Florida is by requesting customized quotes from a few competing insurance companies. Local independent agents can save you time by contacting insurance companies your behalf.

What Does Event Liability Insurance Cover?

There are a few different kinds of liability coverage that your event insurance can provide. While general liability insurance will be necessary for any type of event, the other coverage types are optional.

• General liability insurance: This is designed to cover injuries, property damage, and illnesses such as food poisoning that your guests may be experience as a result of attending your event. It can also cover damage to the venue that occurs during your event.
• Liquor liability insurance: Florida’s dram shop laws do not hold social hosts responsible for injuries or property damage caused by intoxicated guests. However, you could face criminal charges if it is found that a minor was drinking at an event that you hosted. Liquor liability insurance can help to cover your defense.
• Hired/non-owned auto liability insurance: This is designed to cover any vehicles that may be hired for use by your event, such as if you are renting limousines for guests or are providing shuttle services from a parking area to the event venue.
• Garage keepers insurance: This may be necessary if you are offering valet parking services at your event. It can cover loss or damage to your guests’ vehicles while they are in the custody, care, or control of your parking attendants.

Additionally, you may want to consider supplementing your liability coverage with cancellation insurance. This can help cover financial losses associated with cancelling or postponing your event if an unavoidable disaster such as a hurricane or a wildfire necessitates doing so.

Talk to a local independent insurance agent for help identifying your event’s potential risks and finding the right policy to cover against them.

What Doesn't Event Liability Insurance Cover?

Insurance companies will often exclude certain hazardous activities from their coverage. It is unlikely that your event liability insurance will cover injuries and other liabilities related to:

• Pyrotechnics
• The use of firearms
• Amusement rides and devices
• Aerial maneuvers
• Hazardous activities like bungee jumping and trampoline use
• Certain sports-related injuries

Be sure to talk to your insurance agent for help determining if there are any aspects of your special event that may require supplemental or specialized coverage. That way you do not have to worry about discovering you have unintended coverage gaps only when it's too late.

How to Get the Best Liability Insurance for an Event in Florida

Finding an ideal policy to cover your special event involves more than just comparing prices. The lowest-priced policy might not be the best choice if the coverage it provides is inadequate.

Local independent insurance agents make it easy to find the right policy by obtaining customized policies and quotes from a few competing insurance companies. You can then review the policies together to determine which provides the coverage you need while offering the best value for your money.

There are nearly 1,600 independent agents in Florida, so it should be easy to find an insurance agent near you.