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Yes, it IS time to think about Christmas

Why one-day liability event insurance is the perfect gift for your holiday party

Holidays are a time for celebrating and a great reason to thank your staff and clients for the past year. Your barn family is ready to revel, but are YOU? If you’re planning on a holiday party at the barn or maybe renting a venue, you might need one-day liability event insurance.

Holiday parties held at your barn can be considered by the courts to be an extension of the workplace, which means workplace rules apply and you can be liable for any violations. Thoughtful planning, though, can help reduce your risk.

First, talk with your agent to make sure of your coverage. Are you liable for any parties you hold or is your current business liability insurance coverage enough?

Excess liability coverage is a great way for you to have extra coverage year-round, and especially for a holiday party. It’s so easy for a small accident to occur at any event and it’s easier than you would think for things to escalate into a greater issue. Excess liability puts you in a better position if a lawsuit occurs or medical bills add up.

Another important consideration is if you will be serving alcohol on the premises. If you will be, make sure you have liability coverage. “Host” liquor liability coverage means you are serving alcohol, but not charging for it. If you have a cash bar, you not only need to make sure either you or your bartender have “general” liquor liability insurance, one of you is also required to have a liquor license.

Also think about your commercial building coverage. While a holiday party may not make for a riskier evening for fire or theft, it’s a good time to think about whether you have coverage in that area. Your property could be at risk if you are opening your barn or building to not just employees and clients, but also to their guests.

Will vendors such as caterers, bartenders, photographers -- or even a band -- be on-site? Talk to the vendors ahead of time and make sure they have proof of their insurance coverage. If one of your clients gets sick from a caterer’s food, for example, you want to make sure that vendor has coverage. If they don’t, your business may have to step in and cover the medical costs. Too, you may be responsible for any equipment you might rent, so make sure to read the fine print of any contract you make.

If your party is being held at another location, you still have risks to address. The rented venue will likely ask for evidence of one-day liability event insurance so the venue owners are not drawn into any lawsuit arising from injured guests or damage to the location. Your worker’s comp insurance may also come into play if one of your employees is injured at the party, because he or she was technically taking part in a work-related event.

A holiday party is a wonderful way to celebrate your barn’s successes and friendships, and you want to make sure the year ends in celebration and safety. So, while you’re making your party list and checking it twice, make sure your insurance coverage is at the top.

For more information, contact us direct at: Equidae Insurance, Inc. 608 Virginia Street East, Suite 302 Charleston, WV 25301 p. (304) 346-1198 f. (304) 345-3535

Stacey Halloran, Agent
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