Tag: Special Events Insurance

It’s Office Holiday Party Time! Don’t Let Your Celebration Lead to Litigation

Holiday celebrations provide an excellent opportunity for coworkers and management to mingle and interact with one another. They can create a positive work environment, increase employee morale and promote teamwork. They can also expose employers to potential liability if something goes wrong.

Holiday parties often involve alcohol, which can lead to lines being crossed. Off-color comments, racy jokes or inappropriate flirty behavior may lead to claims of unlawful discrimination or harassment. Alcohol-related car accidents caused by those attending the party may lead to claims of negligence.

To reduce these risks, employers can:

  • Appoint monitors to watch alcohol service and consumption.
  • Limit alcohol service with “drink coupons” (i.e., two drinks per person).
  • Close the bar once dinner begins.
  • Use professional bartenders.
  • Offer plenty of non-alcoholic beverage options.
  • Serve foods rich in starch and protein that stay in the stomach longer and slow the absorption of alcohol in the bloodstream.
  • Provide designated drivers, taxis or Ubers for anyone who is too impaired to drive.
  • Prior to the party, make it clear to employees that a) employees who arrive intoxicated will not be allowed in; b) employees are not permitted to bring their own alcohol; c) excessive drinking will not be tolerated; and d) intoxication and inappropriate behavior at the party will be grounds for discipline.

To reduce the likelihood of a workers’ compensation claim, attendance should not be mandatory or perceived as being mandatory. Tell employees the holiday party is purely a voluntary social event, and mean it. Employers should also consider a Special Events insurance policy with liability coverage, including host liquor liability coverage, to protect against bodily injury or property damage suffered during the event.

Please contact us if you would like to learn more about protecting your holiday party with Special Events Insurance.

Special Insurance for Your Special Event

If you’re planning a wedding, anniversary, graduation party, Bar/Bat Mitzvah or other special event, consider adding insurance to your ‘to-do’ list. Special Events Insurance provides financial protection—just in case things don’t go as planned on that special day.

Perhaps the most popular feature of Special Events Insurance is cancellation / postponement coverage. If there is a necessary and unavoidable cancellation or postponement, this insurance covers deposits and other amounts paid or owed for various event-related items, such as catering services, location and equipment rentals, accommodations, flowers, photographers, videographers and entertainment. Rehearsal dinners within 48 hours of a wedding may also be covered.

Not every cancellation or postponement is covered, like those resulting from the non-premature delivery of a child or a change of heart. Though normal weather conditions (heat, rain, snow) do not trigger coverage, cancellation or postponement caused by unanticipated extreme weather conditions, like hurricanes and tropical storms that developed after the policy’s inception date, may be covered. Cancellations or postponements caused by any known circumstance that might reasonably give rise to cancellation or postponement of the event are also not covered.

Special Events policies can also provide optional liability coverage, including host liquor liability coverage, to protect against bodily injury or property damage suffered during the event or at the reception. Though homeowners’ policies may provide some liability coverage, it’s better to keep event-related liability claims away from your homeowners’ insurance homeowners’ insurance company. Special Events policies also let you provide additional insured status, which is often required by event venues, but which may not be easy or possible under a homeowners’ policy.

Special Events policies can provide other valuable coverages, such as:

Additional Expense Coverage to pay unanticipated expenses that are incurred to avoid cancellation or postponement of the event if a vendor fails to provide contractually agreed upon items, services or locations.

Special Jewelry Coverage to pay for loss or damage to jewelry purchased or rented, but not borrowed, specifically for an honoree’s personal decoration or for exchange at the event by an honoree. The loss or damage must occur on the date of the event date or within seven days prior to the event. Any thefts must be reported to the police as soon as reasonably practicable. Mysterious disappearances are not covered.

Photograph and Video Coverage to pay reasonable expenses to take or retake event photographs or video in a comparable setting if, for example, the professional photographer or videographer fails to appear at the event or the originals are lost or damaged prior to delivery.

Event Gifts Coverage to pay for loss or damage to gifts that occurs at or before the event.

Special Attire Coverage to pay the cost of replacing or repairing clothing, headwear or shoes purchased or rented, but not borrowed, by the honoree (bride, groom, etc.) specifically for the event. Watches, jewelry or precious or semi-precious gemstones or pearls are not covered.

When shopping for Special Events Insurance, pay special attention to coverage exclusions that may be relevant to your situation, such as those relating to pregnancy or other pre-existing medical conditions.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about Special Events Insurance, please contact us.

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