
Festival event insurance is a type of insurance designed to protect event organizers from financial losses due to unforeseen circumstances.
This type of insurance typically covers event cancellations, postponements, and interruptions due to reasons such as inclement weather, accidents, or even terrorism.
Event organizers can face significant financial losses if they are unable to host their festival due to unforeseen circumstances, which is why festival event insurance is a vital investment.
Festival event insurance policies often include coverage for event cancellations, which can be triggered by a variety of reasons including inclement weather, accidents, or terrorism.
Coverage Options
Festival event insurance offers various coverage options to protect against unforeseen circumstances.
Liability coverage is often included in festival event insurance policies, which can help cover costs associated with accidents or injuries to attendees.
Event cancellation insurance can also be purchased, which can provide financial protection if the festival needs to be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.
Business interruption insurance is another option, which can help cover lost revenue if the festival is cancelled or postponed.
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Third-Party Property Damage
Third-Party Property Damage is a serious concern for festival organizers. People bring valuable items to festivals, including clothing, jewelry, and small personal electronic devices.
Damage to these items can be costly and time-consuming to resolve. If a guest's property is damaged or destroyed, you could be held liable.
Festival-goers often have a lot of valuable items with them, and accidents can happen quickly. A single incident can lead to significant financial losses.
Third-party property damage coverage can help pay for any damage done to the venue while your event is happening. This can be a huge relief for festival organizers who want to minimize their financial risk.
Accidents can happen even when you're not directly responsible, and third-party property damage coverage can help you navigate these situations.
Personal and Advertising Injury
Personal and advertising injury can be a real concern for festival organizers. Let's say that someone reads the advertising for your festival and accuses you of intellectual property infringement. You could be liable for the offense.
This type of claim can arise from the advertising itself, and it's a risk that you should be aware of when promoting your event.
Concerts, Fairs, and Professional Events
If you're planning a concert, fair, or professional event, you'll want to consider various types of insurance to protect yourself and your business. ACT Insurance offers coverage for art and craft vendors attending events like craft fairs and art shows, starting at $49/event or $24.25/month.
For concert and festival events, cancellation insurance is a must-have. This type of insurance can help you handle deposits, refunds, and lost revenue in case of event cancellation or postponement. Starting at $49/event or $24.25/month, you can get instant coverage and 24/7 access to policy documents.
Some insurance companies package general liability, host liquor liability, cancellation insurance, and other coverages together to create protection for concert performers, promoters, event organizers, and venues. This can be a convenient option, especially if you're new to event planning.
Here are some key benefits of ACT Insurance:
- No quote process
- 24/7 access to policy documents
- Convenient online purchasing
- Licensed in all 50 states
- Instant coverage
- A+ rated insurance carrier
Optional professional liability coverage is also available for an additional fee. This can provide an extra layer of protection for your business in case of errors or omissions.
Cost and Requirements

Festival Insurance costs vary depending on the size and location of your event, as well as the number of attendees. For example, a small festival with 1-50 attendees can expect to pay between $185 and $195 for a day's coverage.
If you're planning a larger event, you'll need to budget accordingly. A medium-sized festival with 200-250 attendees can expect to pay between $271 and $284 for a day's coverage.
Most venues require festival organizers to have at least a $1 million limit for general liability coverage on their policy. This is to protect both the venue and the festival organizers in case of accidents or unexpected incidents.
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What's the Cost?
Festival Insurance costs vary depending on the size of your event and the number of attendees. For a small festival with 1-50 attendees, the premium range is $185-$195.
The cost of Festival Insurance also depends on the location of your event. I'm not aware of any specific details on this, but it's worth noting that it can affect the overall cost.

For a medium-sized festival with 200-250 attendees, the premium range is $271-$284. This is a significant increase from the small festival option, likely due to the larger number of attendees.
You can expect to pay between $185 and $284 for a medium-sized festival, depending on the specifics of your event.
Who Needs Event Insurance?
Any person or business that's sponsoring, planning, or hosting a festival needs Festival Insurance.
You'll want to get insured if you're planning a small local festival, as venues often require it to minimize their liability.
Most venues want to see at least a $1 million limit for general liability coverage on the policy of the festival organizer to satisfy insurance requirements.
Accidents can happen when large groups of people gather, and having insurance can protect you financially in case something goes wrong.
Auto and Inland Marine Insurance
Auto and Inland Marine Insurance are crucial for event organizers, especially when transporting equipment or people. Depending on the vehicles used, you may need a commercial auto policy or a hired/non-owned liability insurance policy.
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Commercial auto policies cover vehicles owned by the business, while hired/non-owned liability insurance policies cover rented or personal vehicles used for the event. This distinction is essential to avoid gaps in coverage.
Inland Marine Insurance, on the other hand, covers your own property or equipment that's transportable or movable over land. It's a "floater" policy that follows the equipment or property, regardless of its location.
Many businesses mistakenly believe that their commercial auto insurance will cover property damage during transit or storage. However, there are limits to this coverage, making Inland Marine Insurance a worthwhile consideration, especially for the entertainment industry.
A band's trailer and equipment, for example, may not be covered by their property insurance, leaving them vulnerable to financial loss.
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Specialized Coverage
Festival Insurance can be tailored to fit specific niche needs, such as film insurance or cyber security insurance.
Event insurance can also provide protection for claims related to damage or theft of equipment, like a drone crashing into a lake or a photographer's camera being stolen.
This type of insurance can even cover the loss of video and photos if the photographer's equipment is compromised.
Events for Artists and Crafters

If you're an artist or crafter who attends events, you know how important it is to have the right insurance coverage. ACT Insurance is specifically designed for art and craft vendors who participate in various events, including craft fairs, art shows and festivals, trade shows, and farmers markets.
One of the benefits of ACT Insurance is the no quote process, which means you can get instant coverage without having to go through a lengthy quote process. You'll also have 24/7 access to your policy documents, making it easy to manage your coverage.
ACT Insurance is licensed in all 50 states and offers convenient online purchasing, allowing you to get coverage quickly and easily. You can choose from a starting price of $49 per event or $24.25 per month, making it an affordable option for many artists and crafters.
Optional professional liability coverage is also available, providing an added layer of protection for your business.
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Liquor Insurance Comparison

If you're hosting a festival with alcohol consumption, you'll want to consider Thimble's Festival Insurance, which includes liquor liability coverage for BYOB events.
Liquor liability insurance is specifically for commercial businesses that manufacture, serve, or sell alcohol, such as bars, restaurants, and liquor stores.
Host liquor liability insurance is a type of coverage that protects organizations that serve or sell alcohol at their events, and it's often added as part of an event general liability policy.
If you're selling alcohol at your festival, you'll likely need to purchase additional liquor liability coverage, which will raise your premium.
This type of insurance offers coverage for bodily injury or property damage caused by an intoxicated person who was served or sold alcohol by the policy holder.
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Special Coverages
Film insurance is a must-have for event planners who want to protect their footage and photos in case of loss or damage.
Cyber security insurance is also crucial for events that involve online presence, such as event websites that can be hacked.

Event insurance can cover unexpected incidents, including a drone crashing into a lake or a photographer's camera being stolen.
Having the right mix of insurance coverage for an event can give you peace of mind as the date approaches.
Safety and security should always be top of mind for outdoor music concerts and other events, and having the right event production and operations partner can contribute to this.
Scenarios and Risks
Festival organizers need to be aware of the various risks that can affect their events. Unforeseen circumstances like extreme weather, natural disasters, or public health emergencies can lead to event cancellations.
These cancellations can result in significant financial losses for organizers, vendors, and attendees. The risk of an active shooter situation is also a concern, which can lead to tragic loss of life, injuries, and financial consequences.
Some of the most common risks associated with music festivals and concerts include stage collapses, fire hazards, and electrical hazards. These incidents can result in injuries or fatalities, as well as legal and financial consequences for event organizers.
Here are some of the most common festival event risks:
- Event cancellations
- Active shooters
- Communicable disease outbreaks
- Stage collapses
- Fire hazards
- Drug and alcohol-related incidents
- Crowd control and stampedes
- Electrical hazards
- Extreme weather
- Animal attacks
Why Is Host Liquor Protection Necessary?

Host liquor protection is a must-have for festival organizers, and it's not just about serving alcohol responsibly. According to IRMI, host liquor liability is liability for bodily injury or property damage arising out of the serving or distribution of alcoholic beverages by a party not engaged in this activity as a business enterprise.
In other words, as a festival organizer, you could be liable for injuries or damages caused by your guests' impaired state, even if you didn't serve the alcohol. This is especially concerning, given that 6,000 people at your event increases the likelihood of someone being alcohol impaired when they leave.
Host liquor liability coverage can be included as part of a general liability insurance policy, but it may also be a separate add-on coverage. Either way, having liquor at your event will significantly increase your insurance premium.
The Astroworld Festival in Houston, Texas, is a prime example of why insurance companies are wary of large concerts and music festivals. Underwriters consider the festival chain of command when deciding whether to insure an event, and safety is a top priority. They want to know that evacuation plans, a communications strategy, and one decision maker are in place to handle serious incidents.
To mitigate this risk, it's essential to have a clear festival chain of command in place. This includes knowing who is responsible for making decisions during an emergency. If you're new to festival organizing, consider bringing in a reputable entertainment agency to handle the arrangements.
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10 Unexpected Music Festival Scenarios

Music festivals are a thrilling experience, but they're not without risks. Event cancellations due to unforeseen circumstances like extreme weather, natural disasters, or public health emergencies can lead to significant financial losses for organizers, vendors, and attendees.
A stage collapse can occur due to poor construction, extreme weather, or other factors, resulting in injuries or fatalities, and potential legal and financial consequences for event organizers.
Substance abuse is a common concern at music festivals, leading to medical emergencies, altercations, and potential legal issues for event organizers.
The use of pyrotechnics, open flames, or other fire hazards at music festivals and concerts can lead to accidents and potential fires. This can result in property damage, injuries, and potential legal and financial consequences for organizers.
Crowd control and stampedes can be a risk at large gatherings, leading to injuries, property damage, and potential legal consequences for organizers. Inadequate security measures or poor crowd management can exacerbate the situation.

Electrical hazards are a concern at music festivals, with the extensive use of electrical equipment posing risks such as electrocution or power outages. These incidents can lead to injuries, equipment damage, and potential financial losses for event organizers.
Extreme weather conditions, such as heavy rain, strong winds, or lightning, can pose risks to attendees' safety, cause property damage, and potentially lead to event cancellations.
Animal attacks are an unlikely but possible risk at outdoor music festivals, with attendees potentially encountering venomous snakes, aggressive animals, or insects carrying diseases. This can lead to medical emergencies and potential legal and financial consequences for event organizers.
The following are some of the most common risks associated with music festivals:
What Else Might You Need?
Festival organizers often contract vendors to run food booths, clean, and perform other tasks. You'll want those vendors to get their own general liability insurance.
As the festival organizer, you'll want to be listed as an Additional Insured on their policy. This protects you if you're named in a lawsuit stemming from the vendor's actions.
You'll also need to request a certificate of liability insurance from the vendors. This proves their insurance is valid and active.
Obtaining Festival Insurance is just the first step in getting full-spectrum coverage for your event.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of insurance do you need for a festival?
Festival organizers need event insurance to protect against accidents, injuries, and property damage, providing financial security in case of unexpected lawsuits or claims
How much does a $1,000,000 liability insurance policy cost?
The average monthly cost of a $1 million liability insurance policy is around $42, with 40% of customers paying between $30-$60 per month. Annual premiums typically range from $500 to over $700.
What insurance does an event planner need?
To protect your event planning business, consider General Liability insurance, which covers mishaps and lawsuits, and Workers' Compensation, which safeguards employees in case of work-related injuries
Sources
- https://www.thimble.com/event-insurance/festivals
- https://www.actinsurance.com/art-shows-and-festivals-insurance
- https://www.actinsurance.com/event-insurance-for-artists-and-crafters
- https://www.xinsurance.com/blog/safeguarding-music-festivals-preparing-for-the-unexpected/
- https://tseentertainment.com/outdoor-music-concert-or-festival-insurance-part-two/
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