Insurance solutions for large events, festivals & exhibitions

Event planners, organisers, promoters and coordinators aren’t required by law to insure their events. However, some venues will need you to have (at least) a public liability policy before you can hire them.

The cost of event liability insurance can vary widely based on several factors, including the type of event, its duration, the number of attendees, the location, and the specific coverage limits required. On average, event liability insurance can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. For smaller events, you might expect to pay between $300 to $500, while larger or more complex events could cost $1,000 or more. As your insurance broker, we can help you navigate the options and arrange quotes from multiple insurance providers to ensure you find the best coverage that fits your event's needs and budget. Additionally, working with an insurance broker can help you navigate the options and ensure you have the appropriate coverage for your specific event.

To obtain a certificate of insurance (COI) for your event, you can follow these steps:

1. Contact your insurance broker: Reach out to your insurance broker, like us, who can assist you in securing the necessary coverage for your event. If you don’t have insurance yet, we can help you find the right policy.
2. Provide event details: Share specific information about your event, including the date, location, type of event, and any special requirements from venues or vendors.
3. Review coverage options: Your broker will help you review the coverage options and limits needed for your event, ensuring you meet any venue or contractual requirements.
4. Request the COI: Once your insurance policy is in place, request a certificate of insurance from your broker. They will issue the COI, which outlines your coverage and can be sent directly to the venue or other parties requiring proof of insurance.
5. Distribute the COI: Ensure that the COI is provided to all necessary parties, such as venues, vendors, or sponsors, well in advance of your event.

By working with us, you can streamline the process of obtaining a certificate of insurance and ensure that you have the appropriate coverage for your event.

Your certificate of currency – also known as a certificate of insurance – expires on the same date as your event insurance policy. Event insurance only covers a single event, so it can’t be renewed.

Event insurance is a one-off insurance policy designed to cover a single event (which could span more than one day). Entertainment industry insurance is designed for event planners and organisers who plan to put on more than one event in a calendar year.

Wondering if you need entertainment insurance? Speak to our entertainment team to arrange the right policy for you.

If an incident occurs, contact the Marsh events team as soon as you can. We want you to get the best possible outcome, so we advocate for you throughout the entire claims process.

Claims can be stressful, but – as the world’s largest insurance broker – we strive to make the process straightforward.

Yes. You can contact Marsh to add a new interested party to your certificate of currency.

Public liability insurance is essential for events where there is a risk of injury to attendees or damage to third-party property. You should consider obtaining public liability insurance in the following situations:

1. Large gatherings: If your event is expected to attract a significant number of attendees, public liability insurance can protect you against potential claims arising from accidents or injuries.
2. Outdoor events: Events held in outdoor settings, such as festivals or fairs, may face additional risks from weather conditions or environmental factors, making public liability insurance crucial.
3. High-risk activities: If your event includes activities that could pose a risk to participants, such as sports, rides, or performances, public liability insurance is highly recommended.
4. Venue requirements: Many venues require event organisers to have public liability insurance as a condition of hiring the space. Always check with the venue to understand their insurance requirements.
5. Contractual obligations: If you are working with vendors, sponsors, or partners, they may require you to have public liability insurance to protect against potential claims.

By securing public liability insurance, you can safeguard yourself and your event against unforeseen incidents, ensuring peace of mind for both you and your attendees.

There are many reasons why insurance is important for event organisers to consider. By their very nature, events are prone to a number of risks including accidents, injuries, property damage and cancellations due to unforeseen disruptions.

Some examples of things that can go wrong at an event may include:

• Someone suffers an injury – it could be someone organising, attending or working at the event.
• Property or equipment is damaged, stolen or lost
• The event is cancelled due to circumstances out of your control (eg performer illness, bad weather, power failure).

Insurance can help protect your event from potential lawsuits or financial loss, allowing you to recover some or all of your money, and giving you peace of mind that you’re covered for unexpected circumstances. Ultimately, it can mean the difference between running your event – or not.

Our specialist broking team can arrange insurance for you, including public liability insurance. All you need to do is provide some details on this form and one of our brokers will reach out to you to assist.

Despite planning an event to the nth degree, there are some incidents you simply can’t control. A headliner cancelling at the last minute, a serious injury to one of your patrons or a theft of expensive equipment among them.

• It pays to have protection in place in case things go awry.

Yes, event planners should have insurance to protect themselves from potential liabilities associated with their work. Professional liability insurance can cover claims related to errors, omissions, or negligence in the planning process, while general liability insurance protects against accidents or injuries that may occur during events. Having insurance can not only safeguard the planner's financial interests but also enhance their credibility with clients, demonstrating professionalism and a commitment to risk management.

No. The event insurance policy is only suitable for one-off events.

If you’re planning to host more than one event in a calendar year, you will need to take out entertainment insurance. Speak to our Events team for help in arranging an entertainment policy.

Yes, it is advisable to have insurance for a fundraising event to protect against potential risks such as accidents or injuries, especially when large groups are involved. Public liability insurance is often required by venues and can cover claims arising from incidents during the event. Additionally, having insurance helps provide peace of mind, allowing you to focus on your fundraising efforts without worrying about financial liabilities.

Yes, it is recommended to have event insurance for your wedding to protect against unforeseen circumstances that could disrupt your plans. Wedding insurance can cover various risks, including , vendor no-shows, or damage to property. It helps provide peace of mind, ensuring that you are financially protected against potential liabilities and allowing you to enjoy your special day with confidence.

• Event Cancellation & Abandonment: Covers your financial loss when your event is cancelled/abandoned or postponed due to events outside of your control.

• Non-Appearance: Covers your financial loss if key headline acts or a large portion of the performance group fail to show up.

• Public Liability & Event Liability: Covers your legal liability for third party bodily injury or property damage.

• Weather Risk: Protects revenue from fluctuations when certain weather conditions occur.

• Voluntary Workers Personal Accident: Protects your volunteers if they are injured whilst working on your behalf.

• Travel: Covers medical expenses, trip cancellation costs, lost luggage and trip deposits.

• Event Equipment Cover: Covers the equipment you own or use at an event if it is damaged or lost.

• Money: Covers physical loss or damage occurring to money during an insured event.