special coverage for your special day

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Event insurance

Summary of event insurance

Event insurance helps protect your special day from unexpected costs if things don’t go as planned. Coverage may include cancellations, postponements, or lost deposits, as well as property damage or injuries during the event. Whether it’s a wedding, anniversary, or milestone celebration, Allstate helps to make it simple to safeguard your investment and enjoy peace of mind.

What is event insurance?

Event insurance helps cover financial losses that may occur when an accident, extreme weather, illness or a problem with a key vendor puts a stop to your private event. Policies often cost less than you might expect and typically offer two types of coverage:

Event cancellation coverage reimburses you for lost deposits and other charges when unforeseen circumstances cause you to cancel or postpone your function. This type of coverage may extend to special gifts, attire (lost wedding bands, for instance) and damaged photo and video files. It does not, however, cover a change of heart.

Event liability coverage helps protect you from financial loss if you're held responsible for an accident that hurts someone or causes property damage at your event. You may even be covered if one of your guests creates havoc. Many venues now require you to have liability protection before you can even book there.

Weddings and other special events

Event insurance offers financial protection for many types of private, short-term celebrations and gatherings, such as weddings and corporate parties. However, some public or high-risk events may be ineligible for coverage. Weddings, in particular, often involve significant planning and financial commitments. Event insurance can help protect your investment by providing coverage for covered cancellations or postponements, lost deposits, guest injuries, or property damage. Depending on the policy, coverage may also extend to wedding attire, rings, gifts, and professional photos or videos, helping provide added peace of mind as you prepare for your special day.

What types of events are covered?

Events that are covered by event insurance include but are not limited to:

  • Weddings
  • Engagement parties
  • Business meetings
  • Non-Profit functions
  • Retirement parties
  • Anniversary parties
  • Corporate events

What types of events are typically not covered?

Special event insurance is not available for every event, including:

  • Sporting events
  • Events with greater than 500 guests
  • Events at remote locations
  • Bachelor/bachelorette parties
  • Color runs
  • Gun shows
  • Animal shows

Your special event calls for special protection

By clicking "get a quote" you will leave Allstate.com and be directed to the Markel website*

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How much does event insurance cost?

The cost of event insurance depends on various factors unique to your event, such as the location, type, duration, number of guests, and whether alcohol is served. Additionally, the coverages and limits you select will affect what you pay. Event insurance policies can start as low as $75 or cost a couple hundred dollars, catering to different coverage needs. By bundling event liability and cancellation coverage, you can save up to 15% on a plan with total protection.

Why choose Allstate for event or wedding?

Here are five reasons to get a free event insurance quote today from Allstate and our trusted partners:

  1. Protect the money you’ve already put into your event
    Get reimbursed non-refundable deposits and expenses for cancellations due to unforeseen circumstances.
  2. Protect yourself if someone gets hurt or property gets damaged
    Up to $2 million in event liability coverage and optional host liquor liability insurance.
  3. Make meeting your venue's insurance requirement easy
    Guaranteed to meet the venue’s insurance requirements (or your money back) and venues can be named as “additional insured” at no extra cost.
  4. Get coverage for more than just accidents
    Personalized coverage for damage to special attire, lost or stolen gifts, photographs, and lost deposits from no-show vendors.
  5. Get trusted protection from a name you know
    Flexible, easy claims process with an experienced and compassionate claims team.

You plan the celebration; we’ll help protect the unexpected.

Event insurance FAQs

It's a good idea to purchase a policy as soon as you begin making deposits, because unexpected issues can crop up at any point. That said, you need to buy event cancellation coverage at least 15 days before your function date and liability coverage at least one day prior. You can buy both up to 24 months in advance.

Most event venues require clients to purchase one-day event liability insurance to protect their property from damage and to avoid responsibility for injuries at the event. Additionally, since venues often have a no-refund policy for cancellations or postponements, it's a good idea for you to have event cancellation coverage too.

If extreme weather conditions prevent the honoree, the honoree’s immediate family, an active participant in the event, or more than half of the guests to attend your event, event cancellation coverage would help cover you. Just remember, the policy must have been purchased at least 15 days before the extreme weather event.

Gifts that are lost or damaged within seven days before or after the event may be covered up to the limit specified in your policy. There is a $300 limit on cash, checks, and gift cards.

Event liability and cancellation coverages are available for events scheduled to take place in (or cruise ships departing from) the United States and its territories or possessions, and Canada. Cancellation coverage is also available in the United Kingdom, Mexico, the Bahamas, Bermuda and the Caribbean (excluding Cuba).

Event insurance can include two coverages: event liability and event cancellation. Event liability coverage protects against injury or property damage at the event, while event cancellation coverage protects against potential event cancellation. You may choose to only purchase one of these, but it's advisable to have both if possible.

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