If you are hosting or participating in an event, special event insurance protects you against guest injury, third-property damage, loss of gifts, and even cancellation. Using our evaluation system focusing on financial stability, customer satisfaction, convenience, and policies offered, we reviewed over a dozen insurers to find the six best event insurance companies.
- Thimble: Best overall provider for special event insurance
- Travelers: Best for wedding insurance
- Eventsured: Best for high-risk events
- The Hartford: Best for nonprofit events
- Simply Business: Best for comparing quotes for event planners
- Phly: Best for sporting events
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Best Special Event Insurance Companies Compared
Company | Quote Process | Policy Purchase Process | Accessibility | Instant Certificate of Insurance | Financial Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Online or through the app | Online or through the app | Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Eastern time | ✓ | A- to A (Excellent) Rating |
| Online or over the phone | Online or over the phone | 24/7 call center | ✕ | A++ (Superior) |
| Online or over the phone | Online or over the phone | Monday-Friday 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Eastern time | ✓ | A++ (Superior) |
 | Online or over the phone | Over the phone | 24/7 call center | ✓ | A+ (Superior |
| Online | Online or over the phone | Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–8 p.m. Eastern time | ✓ | A (Excellent) to A++ (Superior) |
 | Submit a form online or call an agent | Through the agency | 24/7 call center | ✕ | A++ (Superior) |
Thimble: Best Overall Provider for Event Insurance
Pros
- Quick online quote
- Purchase policy in seconds
- Same-day coverage available
Cons
- Limited appetite for high-risk events
- Does not handle claims directly
- Very difficult to reach someone on the phone
Standout Features
- Coverage for events lasting up to 5 days
- Commercial app to manage your policy, claims, and coverage
- Certificate manager to track certificates of insurance (COIs) required from any vendors
- App to get coverage for multiple events whenever you need it
Financial Stability: Thimble works with a large number of carriers to bring quality insurance, and all of them have a rating from AM Best that ranges from A- to A (Excellent). For example, it works with Markel, and Markel’s AM Best rating is A (Excellent).
Thimble, a managing general agent (MGA) and one of our best business insurance brokers, tops our list of the best special event liability insurance companies. It is our leading recommendation because of how easy it is to get insurance for a large range of special events.
Online or through its app, you can get short-term liability or special event insurance. Many insurers will provide a cut-off of 14 days prior to the event—but with Thimble you can even get same-day coverage for your event. If you own an event space, its app has a certificate manager you can use to request proof of insurance and track which vendors are properly insured.
The biggest downside to Thimble is that, depending on the event, it may cap attendance at 1,000. It also doesn’t actually handle any of its claims, so if you are looking for a company that can resolve everything directly, then check out The Hartford. It offers special event insurance and handles claims in-house with its own adjusters.
In just seconds we received a quote for a two-day event that cost $189.11. This policy carried $1 million in total liability which included liquor liability.
Beyond its special event insurance, Thimble offers most of the traditional policies a small business needs including professional liability, commercial property, inland marine, and workers’ compensation. This makes it a good option for a business with a large space that is regularly used for special events. You can insure the property, employees, and any equipment and through the app purchase special event insurance whenever it is needed.
Thimble doesn’t offer cancellation insurance because you can cancel your insurance from Thimble and receive a full refund up until minutes prior to the event. However, while that is a nice feature, it doesn’t actually capture the benefit of cancellation insurance, which is recouping your lost expenses in the event you have to cancel the event.
In terms of convenience, Thimble shines in the app it has developed (available on both iOS and Android devices). As previously mentioned, its certificate compliance manager is a great feature for event space managers. Through the app, you can get a quote and purchase a policy at any time, manage your coverage, pay your premium, file and track claims, and create an instant COI.
All of its claims for event insurance are handled by Sedgwick, a well-known carrier and third-party administrator for claims.
One of Thimble’s downsides is that it is not open 24/7, and from our own personal research, when you call its number, there aren’t any options to speak directly with anyone. However, Thimble’s customers seem very pleased. On Trustpilot,[1] there are nearly 1,500 reviews with an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 from its users.
Travelers: Best for Wedding Insurance
Pros
- Online quote for event insurance
- Purchase a policy online for event insurance
- 24/7 call center available
Cons
- Unavailable in Hawaii, Alaska, and Louisiana
- Only special event insurance is available online
- Geared more toward weddings than special events
Standout Features
- Hotline with specialists trained in weddings and special event insurance
- Online account to manage your policy and file claims
- No deductible and no surcharge for destination weddings
- Liability extended to 2 a.m. the following morning of your event
Financial Stability: Travelers has been offering insurance for over 100 years. It is a global company with a strong financial position, and AM Best rated Travelers A++ (Superior).
Travelers has developed a special policy package for weddings and private events called Wedding Protector Plan®. It includes coverage for cancellation, postponement, liability, gifts, and attire.
While the policy is for weddings and private events, the coverages seem more geared toward weddings and wedding receptions. If you are looking for a more dedicated private or special event policy, check out Thimble.
Policies start at $160 with no deductible. The quoting process is very simple. There are tiers of coverage ranging from level 1 up to level 10. Every level offers the same coverages: for example, cancellation/postponement, event gifts, lost deposits, etc., but each level has a higher limit.
For example, it costs $390 for $1 million in general liability with liquor liability, cancellation, photography, and many other coverages. This quote is for a wedding, so it provides coverage for one day and is available for purchase up to two weeks prior to the event.
Travelers offers a lot of customer service options that set it apart—and its offerings for special event insurance are no different. It states it has a 24/7 dedicated line for special event insurance with customer support available from employees specifically trained in wedding and private event insurance.
A drawback of Travelers is the convenience of its other coverages and policy management. It offers limited information on what you can or cannot do for your policy online, and aside from wedding and private event insurance, all quotes are handled through a local agent.
Eventsured: Best for High-risk Events
Pros
- Specialists in event insurance
- Appetite for a very broad range of events
- Instant COI after policy purchase
Cons
- No 24/7 call center
- Doesn’t handle any claims
- Insurance is limited to special events
Standout Features
- Very fast quote application with coverage easily reviewable
- Appetite for a wide range of events including high-risk ones not common among other carriers
- Liquor liability available
- Very positive customer reviews of its product
Financial Stability: While we could not find the carrier’s name, Eventsured states that it works with a carrier with a rating of A++ (Superior).
Eventsured is a specialist insurer focusing exclusively on the special event space. It is part of Foresites Sports, which offers insurance for sporting and specialty events like Hole-In-One prices. It has a very large risk appetite for events that many companies will not insure, including ones involving alcohol like beer tasting gardens.
If you are a company that hosts special events and needs additional coverage, such as workers’ compensation, then you may want to consider a provider like The Hartford. This is because while Eventsured has a great package for special events, its offerings are limited only to special event insurance.
Eventsured’s quote system is simple and quick. We received a near-instant quote for $171.93 for an auto show where alcohol would be served with an anticipated attendance of 500. The policy carried general liability with liquor liability and a limit of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate. You can purchase the policy online.
Policies include host liquor liability and retail liquor liability is available if you will be serving or selling alcohol at the event.
For convenience, Eventsured has a very quick and simple system. Quotes are generated very quickly with a seamless purchase process. Customers are happy with it and have left high marks. On Google, it has 4.9 stars out of 5 from over 1,400 reviews. On Trustpilot,[2] there are over 900 reviews with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5.
Keep in mind: because it only sells special event insurance, you will be unable to purchase other types of policies. It isn’t open 24/7, and to file a claim, you will notify Eventsured, and then the carrier that services the policy will contact you.
The Hartford: Best for Nonprofit Events
Pros
- Wide range of insurance options
- Liquor liability and event cancellation available
- Professional liability for event planners
Cons
- Purchase policy over the phone
- Minimal information online about event insurance
- May need to call for a quote
Standout Features
- All essential policies a standard business needs are available
- One-stop shop for quotes, policy management, and claims
- Manage your policy and create a COI online through your account portal
- Appetite for nonprofits sets it apart from many standard carriers
Financial Stability: The Hartford has over 200 years of offering insurance in America. It has maintained a strong financial position over the years, and AM Best rated The Hartford is an A+ (Superior).
The Hartford is a traditional carrier offering all of the core policies a business needs, along with special event insurance. It also tops our list of the best nonprofit insurance companies, making it a natural fit for nonprofits looking for special event insurance.
While The Hartford does offer online quotes for its insurance, including for special events, it can sometimes be challenging if the event carries some risk. If you need insurance quickly, then check out Thimble, which can provide online quotes and the ability to purchase the policy online in less than a minute.
For this article, we could not get a quote online and were directed to call The Hartford to review our insurance needs.
For special event insurance, it offers liability, event cancellation insurance, and liquor liability. So the key coverages you need for special events are available.
The Hartford is also a great option if you are an event planner. It offers a custom professional liability policy designed to fit the needs of event planners.
There are multiple ways for you to file a claim or make changes to your policy. You can do so by going through the account portal, calling The Hartford, or reaching out to your agent for assistance. These services, less your local agent, are available to you 24/7.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) tracks complaints filed across the country against carriers, and complaints against The Hartford’s commercial division are lower than the national average, so its customers are, overall, happy with their experience.
Simply Business: Best for Comparing Quotes for Event Planners
Pros
- Purchase insurance online
- Tailor quotes in real-time
- Manage your policy online
Cons
- Unavailable 24/7
- Claims reporting and handling process
- Depending on the need, quoted results may be limited
Standout Features
- Shop for insurance online through a digital marketplace
- Compare quotes from multiple top-rated providers
- Purchase a policy online or call and speak with a dedicated agent
- Core policies needed are all available
Financial Stability: As a broker, Simply Business works with multiple top-rated carriers with ratings from A (Excellent) to A++ (Superior). For this article, we received a quote from Hiscox, and Hiscox’s current AM Best rating is A (Excellent).
Digital broker Simply Business is the only true broker on this list, meaning that it works with multiple providers to bring you quotes in real time. You can compare the quotes, adjust coverage as needed to get a real-time updated cost, and then purchase a policy online or call and speak with an agent if you have more questions.
It also lets you manage the policy after purchasing it, making it a one-stop shop for services. As a broker, one thing it does not do is handle any claims. It is also not open after hours or on the weekend. If you’d like an option that is available 24/7 and handles its own claims then consider Travelers, The Hartford, or Phly.
While in our experience it usually generates multiple quotes, for this article we only received one quote. It was for general liability with a total limit of $1 million and cost $57.75 monthly. It was through Hiscox and was for an event planner.
If you are an event planner, Simply Business is a great option for you. The event planner/special event insurance policy considers the event type, the venue, the number of guests, and if any celebrities will be present. The policy has a $1 million liability limit. Acts of terrorism are built into the policy, but you can choose not to have that coverage, which will lower the price.
A quick quote and a policy are just minutes away on Simply Business’ website. Simply answer a few questions about the nature of your business, the type of event, and the time frame to get a quote.
Customers can add other businesses as additional insureds to the policy. A COI is available through your online account, and they can send a copy to you if it is urgent.
While Simply Business does not handle claims, it provides the contact information for the claims department of every carrier it quotes. If you are unsure who your actual company is, you can contact Simply Business.
Philadelphia Insurance Companies: Best for Sporting Events
Pros
- Affordable special event insurance policies
- Appetite for sporting events and tournaments
- Coverage for longer events like a trade shop
Cons
- No online quote options
- No process for changing, amending, or requesting a COI
- Policies purchased through broker
Standout Features
- Abuse and molestation, and liquor liability coverage available
- Participant accident insurance and weather insurance optional
- Short-term events and longer events can be insured through Phly
- Appetite for sporting tournaments, including archery
Financial Stability: Philadelphia Insurance Companies (Phly) is owned by Tokio Marine. AM Best rated Tokio Marine a high rating of A++ (Superior).
Philadelphia Insurance Companies (Phly) offers special event insurance for sports events and golf tournaments and is even OK with insuring an archery tournament. Many insurance companies shy away from offering insurance for sporting events because of the high risk of an injury taking place. If you are organizing a golf fundraiser or sports tournament, then check out Phly.
A downside of this provider is the quote system. The process is, you download a form, fill it out, and then email it to the company. Then, after reviewing it, someone will get back in touch with you. If you prefer a quicker option for sporting insurance, then consider Eventsured.
According to Phly, most premiums start at $175, and policy documents are immediately available once you pay.
Phly provides a flexible and comprehensive policy for sports tournaments, entertainment, trade shows, fairs, reenactments, and much more. The liability policy has $3 million aggregate limits. Premises and liquor liability are available as an add-on, as is hired and non-owned auto coverage.
Phly offers special event insurance through their TotalEvent® Broker Portal. Unfortunately, only a broker can provide you with a quote.
Claims filing is easy with four options: phone, fax, email, or online. Phly’s in-house claims team does a great job because their complaints are lower than the national average.
Customer service is available 24/7 through an emergency line and a risk management hotline.
When looking at complaints tracked through NAIC, its customers appear to be very happy. Complaints are much lower than the national average.
How We Evaluated the Best Event Insurance Companies
To determine which of the best special event insurance companies would be the best for your business, we utilized a proprietary evaluation system developed in-house. We reviewed over a dozen insurance providers and presented the six with the highest scores.
In evaluating the leading event insurance providers and brokers, we focused on the customer’s needs. We paid particular interest to convenience, financial ratings (AM Best), customer service, types of policies offered, and the overall experience as a policyholder for a specific provider.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Event insurance is a general term for different types of coverage for a special event. These include liability, liquor liability, and usually, cancellation insurance.
Typical policies cover losses related to the scope of your business and are written based on the description of your business. A special event, by its nature, is something different and usually is an excluded activity under a policy. Of course, review your policy with your agent or carrier before purchasing additional insurance.
Special event insurance may seem high since it is for the short term, but usually, events carry a higher risk than operations spread out over a year. The average cost of special event insurance can range from $100 to $400 for 100 attendees.
If you manufacture, distribute, sell, or serve alcohol at a special event, then you’ll want to ensure your policy includes liquor liability insurance.
Bottom Line
Standard insurance policies do not cover cancellation or liability for special events. When it comes to your special day or an important trade show, you want to ensure you are covered in case something happens. That is why we have done the work in researching the best special event and wedding insurance providers for you.
Thimble is our top-recommended provider for special event insurance. In 60 seconds or less, online or through its app, you can get a quote and purchase a policy for a special event.
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