Public Liability Insurance for a wedding reception?

Question

The venue where I am holding my wedding reception has asked me to provide a Public Liability Insurance. I dont own a business how am I supposed to get a Public liability insurance? Please suggest.

Answer 1

You can get event insurance but that will likely cost about $750.  You may want to check with your homeowners insurance company.  They may provide the liability, for free.

Answer 2

You definitely need to call your insurance agent on this one. Many homeowners insurance policies will cover this type of event without an additional charge because it is already covered by the personal liability portion of the policy. BUT this is not universal, some companies exclude off premises rentals.

If you do not have a homeowners policy or have a homeowners policy that will not cover your off premises (away from your residence) reception the cost will be in the neighborhood of $500. with additional premium if liquor is be served.

Answer 3

if you are in australia - you may have an extension of cover under your HOME CONTENTS policy for accidents that occur while you are away from the insured property.  This may respond, unless they want you to get special event hire cover.

That seems like a really weird request to me.  If someone decides to sue you over injuries that they get at the wedding (ie tripped over a chair) etc - i'm not sure why the venue cares about this?  it's not like they will be implicated?  if someone tries to sue you because part of the venue fell on their head, then this would be the responsibility of the venue owner - and they would (or should) have their own cover??

i would contact an insurance broker, bring the terms and conditions of hire with you and let them take a look at it and advise you further.

Answer 4

You don't need public liability insurance but they do so I would check to see that they have it.

Answer 5

If you placed your vehicle or residential insurance through an insurance broker, then go back to that same broker and tell them you need an "Event Liability" policy (direct writers do not do this type of policy, so if you went through a direct writer haul out the Yellow Pages). This policy will cover an event with or without liquor liability. This type of policy can last from one day to several days. The premium for this type of varies as it is affected by such things as: the type of event (i.e. wedding, sporting event, charity concert, trade show, etc); the number of people attending; whether event is open to the public; if anything is being sold at the event; whether liquor liability is required. I have sold this type of policy for $150 (including liquor liability) for a small, private party (less than 100 people) and I have sold this type of policy for $1,100 (four day performance art festival which was open to the public where alcohol was sold), so as you can see the price can vary. Be aware that unless this is a small party (i.e. less than 30 people) and no alcohol is being provided no personal lines insurer would extend liability to cover this type of event. This is too large a risk for a personal lines insurer.