The Best Event Insurance Companies

Weddings, family reunions, and holiday parties have provided us with some of our most unforgettable moments in life. While it’s easy to get caught up in the thrill of event planning, every host should be mindful of the potential pitfalls that could ruin your big day.

Not everyone recognizes how much liability they face if someone is injured or property is damaged at an event they host. In reality, 43 states have passed social host liability legislation, which allows party hosts to be sued if a visitor drives under the influence and causes an accident. To reduce this risk, most venues require you to acquire event insurance that covers a minimum level of responsibility.

Even if event insurance is not required for your planned gathering, the modest cost of an insurance policy may be worthwhile in protecting your assets from future litigation. Fortunately, there are numerous excellent event insurers to select from, each with cheap coverage to accommodate the size and scope of any gathering. We compared more than 15 of the most well-known event insurance firms and selected the top seven based on price, coverage, and service.

The 7 Best Event Insurance Companies of 2024

• Best Overall: RVNA
• Best Online Underwriting: Eventsured
• Best for High Limits: Philadelphia Insurance Companies
• Best Value: Markel
• Best Customer Service: Travelers
• Best for Weddings: WedSafe
• Best for Corporate Events: USLI

RVNA

Whether you’re planning a small private gathering or a large public event, RVNA has it all covered with the best price and flexible conditions, earning our overall recommendation.

Pros

• Affordable policies start at $50 for liability
• Coverage available for small and large events
• Instant online quotes
• Customize production policies with more than a dozen types of coverage
• Policy cancellation allowed up to 48 hours before the event

Cons

• Phone claims only
• $2,500 deductible for property damage claims

It’s hard to find an insurance that provides equally excellent coverage for events of all sizes, but RVNA does. These flexible policies begin at $50 and cover liquor liability. More than a dozen riders offer additional production coverage.

RVNA distinguishes itself from the competitors in numerous ways. The company’s regular policy covers terrorism, which is not often covered by event insurers. RVNA is also the only event insurance provider we found that allows hosts to terminate their liability policy. Full refunds are provided if cancellation is notified in writing at least 48 hours prior to the start of the event.

There are minimal disadvantages to RVNA. Policy updates can be made using the online policy management system. Property damage claims require the host to pay a $2,500 deductible, which is relatively expensive in the business.

Eventsured

With Eventsured’s simple online quote tool, you can obtain liability coverage for over 500 different types of events in minutes. It’s the quickest way to purchase event insurance.

Pros

• More than 500 event types covered
• Policy documents issued in minutes
• Available in all 50 states
• Zero deductible for all claims
• Paperless claim filing

Cons

• Host liquor liability required regardless of alcohol consumption
• Policies not underwritten by Eventsured

Why wait days for policy documents when you can receive them from Eventsured in minutes? Eventsured allows both private and corporate hosts to acquire coverage for a variety of events without going through a long underwriting process. Simply fill out the online application, and your policy document will arrive in your email inbox within minutes. The organization will even provide you with a general liability policy up to the day before your event.

Of course, there are certain limitations. Eventsured requires you to acquire host liquor liability coverage, which is included in every policy premium, regardless of whether you plan to serve alcohol at your event.

Philadelphia Insurance Companies

Special event liability insurance up to $3 million is included with all Philadelphia Insurance Companies plans, making it the best option for hosts who require extensive coverage.Three Philadelphia Insurance Companies. “Special Events.”

Pros

• Standard policy starts at $3 million in aggregate liability insurance with excess coverage available
• No deductible for liability claims
• Can be combined with umbrella, abuse and molestation, inland marine, and hired and non-owned vehicle insurance

Cons

• No low-premium options
• Military deployment not covered
• Events that go past midnight require two-day coverage
• Long list of excluded events

Philadelphia Insurance Companies’ standard event insurance contains aggregate liability limits of $3 million, which are several times higher than those offered by competitors, making it the top option for high limits in our assessment. If it isn’t enough, hosts with high-value assets can increase their protection by extending event plans with umbrella coverage. While the underwriting procedure may take longer, there appears to be no restriction on the number of participants; we were able to acquire online quotations for a million or more event attendees.

Although Philadelphia Insurance Companies is an excellent choice for large events, its minimum liability coverage of $3 million may be excessive for modest parties. The lowest insurance available start at $175 for liability coverage, which is roughly double what you may spend for a more appropriate level for smaller events.

While Philadelphia Insurance Companies covers hundreds of different occurrences, it does specify a few that are unsuitable for coverage. These include high-risk sporting events, live animal attractions, specific concert genres, and amusement park rides.

Markel

Markel’s low-cost event policies feature discounts for combining coverage and free information resources, making them the best value among carriers.

Pros

• Event liability insurance starts as low as $75 for $500,000 in coverage
• Fifteen percent discount offered when purchasing liability and cancellation policies together
• Low $25 deductible for cancellation policy claims
• Offers free wedding planning resources
• Cancellation coverage available in the United States and several international destinations, including cruises

Cons

• Liability coverage not available for international destinations
• $300 limit on loss of cash gifts
• Property damage claims incur a $1,000 deductible

Many event insurance companies ask hosts to pay for a minimum of $1 million in liability coverage, but this figure may be too much for smaller gatherings. Markel, the best bargain in our review, sells event insurance with liability limits starting at $500,000 for a low fee of $75, allowing you to save money without overpaying for coverage. You can save an additional 15% by combining an event liability policy and an event cancellation policy.

Cancellation plans are available in all 50 states, and US residents can purchase them for destination events in Canada, the United Kingdom, Mexico, and a number of Caribbean islands. Liability coverage is also available for events on cruise ships departing from U.S. ports. One disadvantage is that event sponsors must pay a $1,000 deductible for property damage claims; however, the deductible on cancelation policies is significantly more inexpensive at only $25.6.

Hosts will find lots of free tools to guide them through the party planning process, from calculating a budget to making their event environmentally friendly. You’ll also find lists of questions to ask providers like caterers and florists to ensure you get the most out of their services.

Travelers

Travelers personnel will answer your phone 24 hours a day, and this event insurer has the greatest customer service of any company we researched.

Pros

• Support available by phone, email, and web chat
• Main phone line staffed 24 hours per day
• Online quotes and policy management
• Option to buy online or work with an agent

Cons

• Limited types of events covered
• Doesn’t offer standalone liability policies
• Not available in Alaska, Hawaii, or Louisiana

Everyone has various expectations of customer service; some desire digital convenience, while others seek personalized attention from an agent. Travelers provides the best of both worlds with event insurance, which can be purchased online in minutes or through an insurance specialist in your region. During business hours, representatives can be reached by web chat, and the Travelers consumer advocate line is open around the clock.

Travelers insurance are built on a core coverage plan that starts at $160 and provides up to $250,000 in coverage. The package includes coverage for cancellation, photos, lost deposits, and theft or damage to valuables such as presents, clothing, and jewelry. Optional event liability insurance is offered for a minimum of $165 for $1 million in coverage, but this policy cannot be purchased separately.

Keep in mind that Travelers event insurance is designed for private, invitation-only events such as weddings, family reunions, and holiday parties. The company will not cover events such as corporate parties or ticketed fundraisers.

WedSafe

Most event insurers offer wedding insurance, but WedSafe provides the most specialized coverage specifically for couples planning their wedding.

Pros

• Covers weddings in the United States and over a dozen international locations
• Existing relationship with thousands of venues
• Cancellation coverage can be purchased up to 15 days before the event
• No deductible for bodily injury claims
• Covers rehearsal and rehearsal dinner up to 48 hours prior to the wedding

Cons

• $1,000 deductible for property damage claims
• Doesn’t cover cancellation due to change of heart
• Prohibits some specific activities including live animals and fireworks

With liability and cancellation coverage for both backyard ceremonies and tropical vacation nuptials, it’s clear why wedding sites like The Knot and WeddingWire suggest WedSafe. Nationwide underwrites policies, and general liability insurance coverage begins at $500,000.8. WedSafe. Coverage is offered in all 50 states, as well as the United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico, and several Caribbean destinations, but you must be a US resident regardless of where your wedding is hosted.

Wedding plans can change rapidly, so WedSafe’s policies are flexible enough to accommodate last-minute changes. Cancellation coverage can be acquired as early as 15 days before the date, but you must provide a good cause (such as severe weather or illness). The policy does not cover lost deposits simply because someone gets cold feet.

USLI

From conferences to company retreats, USLI covers corporate events that other insurers won’t, making it our top pick for corporate event insurance.

Pros

• Policies include general liability, liquor liability, and medical payments
• Flexible terms for single- or multi-day events
• Covers up to 20,000 guests
• Hole-in-one insurance available up to $50,000 per hole

Cons

• Policies must be purchased through an agent
• Not ideal for smaller events

Obtaining insurance for a wedding or private party is simple, but corporate hosts may require specific policies from insurers such as USLI to ensure adequate event coverage. Whether your firm is planning a huge trade fair, a charity fundraiser, or an employee gathering, USLI’s event insurance coverage can be customized to meet your specific needs. Coverage is provided for up to 20,000 participants.

USLI also provides a variety of unique supplementary coverage options that may be of special interest to corporate hosts. Prize indemnity insurance, for example, can be acquired for charity golf contests up to $50,000 per hole, with the insurer donating an additional 20% of the prize money to the charity winner.9

• What Is Event Insurance?

Event insurance is a broad category of insurance that can contain a variety of coverage options intended to protect event hosts. The most popular type of event insurance is general liability, which covers lawsuits involving bodily injury or property damage caused by your event. Many plans also cover host liquor liability, which covers you if a guest is overserved and causes harm or damage. Another popular type of event insurance is cancellation coverage, which helps recover lost deposits and other costs if a large event, such as a wedding, must be canceled due to circumstances beyond your control.

• Why Should I Get Event Insurance?

Most venues demand event insurance, so you may not have a choice if you’re going to hire a place for the day. However, even if event insurance is not necessary or if the event is being held in your home, you should consider it. While many homeowners insurance policies contain some liability coverage, these levels are often insufficient for big groups. Before arranging an event, consult with your home insurer to determine what is and is not covered, as well as areas that may require extra insurance.

• How Do I Get a Certificate of Insurance for an Event?

If your venue needs you to obtain event insurance, they will most likely ask for a certificate of insurance (COI) to prove that you have adequate coverage. Many insurers now allow you to acquire event insurance online and get your certificate of insurance electronically in minutes. However, if you’re arranging an event with a high number of attendees or require more specialized coverage, the underwriting process may take a few days. If this is the case, the company should automatically send you a COI once the policy is issued.

• What Does Event Insurance Cost?

According to the firms we evaluated, event insurance typically costs roughly $50, although your premium may vary depending on the event location, number of visitors, if alcohol is served, and the types of coverage provided. When shopping for event insurance, make sure to get many quotes and compare not only the price but also the exclusions in each policy.

• How We Chose the Best Event Insurance Companies

Our study of event insurers included more than 15 of the most popular companies for event hosts. To compare cost, we looked at the different types of coverage offered by each insurer and requested bids. We also looked at each company’s customer service, including how easy it is to acquire an estimate and buy coverage, what contact methods are available, and if clients can access their policy documentation and certificate of insurance online.