Late last year, I needed to secure insurance for an event I was hosting. While the venue
carried its own liability coverage, they required that I obtain a Special Event policy to
provide additional protection beyond their base coverage. The event was a scrapbooking
retreat with 25 attendees, held in a church recreation complex. Food was served, but no
alcohol was involved.
Prior to this experience, I hadn’t considered insurance for retreats I had attended or hosted.
Events such as weddings, baby showers, bar mitzvahs, and private retreats are often held
at third-party venues, many of which require event hosts to carry their own coverage. A
Special Event policy helps protect against common exposures, including slip-and-fall
incidents, guest injuries, equipment-related accidents, or claims arising from event
operations. If alcohol is being served, host liquor liability can also be included.
A Special Event policy typically provides:
- Bodily injury – if a guest is hurt (e.g., slip-and-fall)
- Property damage – damage to the venue or someone else’s property
- Personal and advertising injury – claims like libel or slander
- Medical payments – minor injuries, regardless of fault
- Damage to rented premises – protection if you accidentally damage the venue
- Host liquor liability (optional) – if alcohol is served and you’re not selling it
Having a Special Event policy in place provides peace of mind, allowing you to focus on
hosting a safe and successful event.
