| Event Type | Liability Only | With Cancellation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birthday / house party | $75–$150 | $150–$300 | Small events are cheapest |
| Wedding / reception | $150–$350 | $300–$600 | Most venues require $1M liability |
| Corporate event | $200–$400 | $350–$700 | May need workers comp if vendors present |
| Festival / outdoor | $300–$800+ | $500–$1,500+ | Higher risk = higher premium |
| Charity gala | $175–$350 | $300–$600 | Non-profit discounts available |
| Reunion / community | $100–$200 | $200–$400 | Low risk category |
General liability covers third-party bodily injury (guest slips on a wet floor) and property damage (your DJ knocks over a vase at the venue) up to the policy limit, typically $1 million per occurrence. Host liquor liability covers claims related to alcohol served at your event. Cancellation coverage reimburses non-recoverable deposits and expenses if you must cancel for a covered reason: extreme weather, sudden illness or injury, venue bankruptcy, or mandatory evacuation. It does not cover cancellation due to a change of plans, cold feet, budget issues, or pandemic lockdowns (most policies added pandemic exclusions after 2020). Vendor no-show coverage is sometimes available as an add-on.
Almost certainly yes. Most wedding venues require proof of $1 million in general liability insurance before they will let you use the space. Even if your venue does not require it, consider this: with $15,000–$30,000 in non-refundable vendor deposits at stake, a $300–$600 comprehensive policy that covers both liability and cancellation is a tiny percentage of your total wedding budget. If a freak snowstorm cancels your June wedding, or a groomsman trips on the dance floor and breaks an ankle, you are protected.