Do not let fate ruin your fête

In 2018 Britain had that rarest of things – a heatwave – but it may come as some surprise to learn that it still rained 40% of the time and on 147.4 days last year. In August, regarded as the height of summer, raindrops fell on 13.2 days.

Whilst precipitation can be irritating for those holidaying, it can result in financial loss for event organisers. Those hosting indoor or outdoor exhibitions or events face a whole range of circumstances that could lead them to be out-of-pocket or sued or prosecuted. For this reason it is advisable for organisers to get protection in place from day one of their event planning.

This advice applies no matter what size the event and regardless of whether it is a national music festival or a local village fête. Insurance cover is available for all manner of celebrations, sports fixtures, member-focused shindigs, farmers markets, county shows, exhibitions, conferences and voluntary fundraisers, to mention just a few. A number of insurers offer protection and policies which can be tailored to the needs of the specific event, making it relevant and affordable.

Any size event is vulnerable to an incident that results in proceedings being brought under the terms of corporate manslaughter legislation…
Cover tends to fall into three categories – protection against cancellation due to weather and other circumstances, property and money protection, and legal liability cover (public and employer liability).

Cancellation is not all about the weather, there are numerous reasons for calling the ‘do’ off. These can range from the non-appearance of a key guest, celebrity, act or speaker, to an event having to be called off to respect a day of national mourning. Some policies will also allow an event organiser to add in terrorism cover.

Property at the event can be at risk of damage or theft, whilst takings and money set aside for wages need to be protected, to avoid the financial loss that could occur if these sums were stolen.

On the liabilities side, there is always the risk of staging, props or equipment injuring a member of the public or damaging their property, which is why public liability cover is essential. Those employed to erect displays, lighting, backdrops, stands or other features required at the event, even if only taken on as temporary workers, legally need to be protected by employer’s liability insurance.

Any size event is vulnerable to an incident that results in proceedings being brought under the terms of corporate manslaughter legislation, the Health and Safety at Work Act, or the Food Safety Act. Defending a claim is typically expensive, so this alone makes buying protection a wise move.

Event insurance can cover aspects such as bouncy castles, the cost of litter clean-ups, problems arising from facepainting and henna tattoos, the cost of hiring equipment (should the event not run), trailer security and credit and debit card theft or fraud.

The vital thing for such cover to be worthwhile is working out the sum insured – the amount needed to cover potential losses – correctly. This is where a broker adds value, assisting you with the calculations and ensuring you are not left short on protection, if you need to call on your policy.

Tales of the unexpected have been the undoing of many an event organiser. If you do not wish these to catch you out, talk to us to ensure you have the right cover in place for your event.

Sources: www.statista.com