East Norriton, PA - Have you ever been to or heard of a "Wedding at the Zoo?" Have you ever thought about who would be responsible if someone was injured during the reception or ceremony? We’re not talking about being eaten by a naked mole rat.
With companies and private citizens having events in uncommon places such as a park, train station, zoo, aquarium, museum, public garden, or on a boat, Special Event Insurance is becoming more common with every passing year. Owners of venues are not willing to take on the liability that comes with renting their facility to small or large groups. They want to put that responsibility back on you - the Host.
Special Event Insurance is designed for just that situation. William J. Griffin, III (BJ) of Griffin & Griffin Financial Services, Inc. says, “Special Event Insurance provides specific liability coverage for the Host of the event and an underlying layer of protection for the venue. These policies are normally put in place three to nine months before the actual event and the policy term is usually for one to three days.”
BJ mentioned that depending on the venue, a Host will have a few options. “One, to provide an insurance policy naming the venue as an additional insured for the duration of the event. Two, if it is a venue that holds events on a regular basis (catering hall, arcade, restaurant, etc.), not having to provide an insurance policy at all.”
With option one, the venue is requiring you to purchase Special Event Insurance. With option two, the venue is telling you that while they are not requiring you to have the insurance policy you should seriously consider getting one. In the event that something should happen to the venue or your guests as a result of your event, they will look to you to recover damages. Finally make sure you read the contract carefully and understand what, if any, liability may exist that you may be responsible for.
Of course cost is always a factor when planning an event. “The cost depends on what the venue requires.” notes BJ. “Things that are considered: the type of event, genre of music played, type of dance, age group of attendees, number of attendees, time of the year, whether it is open to the public or a private event and the actual venue.” An example of items that would be covered under this policy would be trip and fall, and destruction of property.
So who should be looking into Special Event Insurance? “Anyone who is planning events such as a Carnival, Wedding, Birthday party, Holiday party, Bar-mitzvah, Bat-mitzvah, and any type of corporate event,” encourages BJ.
“Special Event Insurance is a necessary evil in certain situations, but it does not have to be something to loose sleep over. It is something that should help you sleep by knowing that you have done what you can to keep your family, your guests, your stakeholders, your business and yourself safe,” adds BJ.
If Special Event Insurance is something you think you need, the venue requires you to purchase it or your event planner has recommended it to you, seriously consider and plan on getting a policy. Rishona Myers, Senior Event Planner with RM Creative Events Management suggests that if you have questions concerning your liability before your event, or wish to discuss your needs for Special Event Insurance further, contact BJ at Griffin & Griffin. We want you to have a great, worry-free event.
About William J Griffin III, CISR. BJ is a producer with Griffin & Griffin Financial Services Inc. He has been with the company since 2002. For more information or to obtain a Special Event Insurance policy, call (610) 277-9202 or email BJ at bjg@griffingriffin.net.
About Griffin & Griffin Financial Services, Inc. Griffin & Griffin, a “Trusted Choice” company, is a full service Family Owned and Operated Insurance Agency offering coverage through quality insurance companies in four states. They are Resident Agents and Brokers licensed in Pennsylvania and Non-resident Brokers licensed in Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware and Florida. For more information about the company visit their website at www.griffingriffin.net.
###
