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Does my event cancellation insurance cover pandemics?
Please note: it is important to point out that coverage for each claim will be evaluated individually, based upon its own merits. For more information, refer to the terms and conditions of your policy.
What if someone in my family gets sick before the event? Would that be covered?
If an injury, illness or death prevents the honoree, an active participant or an immediate family member of the honoree from attending the event, we provide coverage, as long as the unavailability is NOT due to:1. self-inflicted injury, mental illness, or influence of alcohol or drugs;
2. pre-existing medical condition,
3. pregnancy commencing prior to policy issuance, unless the delivery date is more than two months after the event date;
4. violation of law;
5. commencement of the event against medical advice; or
6. infectious disease, pandemic or epidemic.What if a governmental authority or the venue itself restricts the event?
If the event is restricted because of an infectious disease, epidemic or pandemic, and you choose to cancel the event, the loss would NOT be covered.What if we decide to cancel the event because of fear of outbreak or safety related concerns of guests?
This can be a difficult decision to make, but there would be no coverage for the cancellation resulting from:1. a voluntary decision to not proceed with the event; or
2. infectious disease, pandemic or epidemic, including the fear or threat, whether actual or perceived.What if my guests are unable to attend the event because of COVID-19 or similar disease?
Unfortunately, cancellation due to infectious disease, pandemic or epidemic, including the fear or threat, whether actual or perceived is not covered under our policy.Is there coverage under the event liability policy for claims alleging that an attendee contacted/was exposed to COVID-19 at my event?
We are unable to provide a coverage evaluation on a hypothetical claim. Policyholders should be aware that certain bodily injury or personal injury claims are not covered under the exclusion that addresses communicable diseases. Each claim is evaluated individually based on the specific circumstances and facts presented. -
When should I purchase event insurance?
It’s a good idea to purchase a policy as soon as you begin to pay deposits. Caterers, photographers and other vendors usually require a significant non-refundable deposit up-front with the remainder due by the day of the event. Our event cancellation coverage can be purchased up to 14 days prior to the event date, and our event liability coverage can be purchased up to 1 day prior to the event date.
In order for our event cancellation policy to cover extreme weather or acts of nature, as defined in the policy, the policy must have been purchased at least 15 days prior to the anticipated or actual extreme weather that causes the cancellation. Long story short, it is a good idea to purchase your event cancellation policy at the beginning of the event planning process. This will help provide protection when a hiccup like covered extreme weather event threatens to show up on your big day.
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Will event insurance cover us if the weather forces us to postpone or cancel our event?
Coverage may be provided if weather conditions are extreme enough to prevent the honoree, the honoree’s immediate family, an active participant in the event or more than half of the guests from attending your event. However, the event cancellation policy must have been purchased at least 15 days in advance of the anticipated or actual extreme weather or act of nature.
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Is there a deductible on event insurance?
Yes. Event cancellation policies have a $25 deductible for each area of coverage. Event liability policies have a $1,000 deductible for property damage.
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What if someone in my family gets sick before the event? Would that be covered?
If an accident or illness prevents the guest of honor or an immediate family member from attending the event, we can provide coverage if illness is not due to a pre-existing medical condition.
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Will event insurance cover the gifts I may receive at my event?
Yes. Gifts that are lost or damaged seven days prior to and seven days after the event are covered up to the applicable limit set forth in your policy. There is a $300 limit on cash, checks, and gift cards.
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Does your event insurance cover special attire purchased specifically for my event?
Yes, our event cancellation insurance coverage provides protection for special attire that is lost, stolen, or damaged before the event. Some exclusions apply.
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Are events held outside of the United States covered?
Yes. Cancellation coverage is available for events that are scheduled to take place in (or cruise ships departing from) the United States and territories/possessions, Canada, the United Kingdom, Mexico, the Bahamas, Bermuda, and the Caribbean (excluding Cuba). Liability policies are available for events scheduled to take place in (or cruise ships departing from) the United States and territories/possessions and Canada.
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Does your event insurance provide coverage if military leave is withdrawn?
Yes. If the guest of honor is serving full-time, active duty in the armed forces, police, or fire department and must postpone the event due to withdrawal of a previously granted leave or unforeseen deployment, we can provide coverage.
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What happens if my photographer loses my photos? Is that covered?
Yes, our event cancellation policy provides protection if your film or digital files are lost or damaged before you take possession of them. The policy does not cover photographer error such as under- or overexposure.
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How do I file a claim?
Call +1.800.388.0169 or visit our claims page to begin the process. All claims should be reported as soon as possible to avoid delays in processing. Claims regarding theft should be reported to police immediately. If paperwork and documentation are submitted along with your claim, you should expect a prompt turnaround.
Event insurance
PROVIDED BY MARKEL
Add event insurance to your guest list.
Or call +1.800.388.0169 to speak with an event insurance specialist.
Welcome USAA members
Markel is proud to collaborate with USAA Insurance Agency in providing specialized event insurance to USAA members.
Organizing an event requires meticulous planning—not to mention a lot of energy. Whether it’s a wedding, birthday party, or baby shower, you can protect your event (and yourself) with Markel event insurance. With over 15 years of providing event insurance, we know things don’t always go as planned. That’s why we help you safeguard your investment with affordable event insurance, covering such things as non-refundable deposits, cancellation costs, and even injuries or damage during your event.
Markel offers protection for a variety of events including:
- Weddings
- Anniversary parties
- Baby showers
- Baptisms
- Bar or bat mitzvahs
- Birthday parties
- Housewarming parties
- Memorial services
- Quinceañeras
- Retirement parties
- Special achievement receptions
- And many more!
Why do you need event insurance?
What can event insurance cover?
When every little detail matters, we know things don’t always go as planned. We offer two types of event insurance to provide protection for your event: event liability coverage and event cancellation coverage.
Markel's event liability insurance provides coverage for damages for which you are responsible if there is an accident at your event that causes injury or property damage. Event liability insurance provides the following:
- Bodily injury and property damage liability: Purchase up to $2 million in coverage anytime up to one day before your event.
- Host liquor liability: Coverage can be removed if you won’t be serving alcohol at your event, saving you even more!
- Primary coverage: Markel event insurance policy will pay your covered claim first, before any other insurance policy kicks in.
- Event cancellation add-on: For only $50, you can add $5,000 of event cancellation coverage to your Markel event liability policy.
Many venues require you to show proof of event liability insurance with their venue listed. You’ll usually see the venue named as “additional insured” on the certificate of insurance, but unlike other event insurance providers we include this coverage at no extra cost.
Best of all, Markel's event liability coverage is guaranteed to meet your venue’s insurance requirements, or your money back.
Polices start as low as $75*!
Many vendors do not offer refunds for cancellations or postponements, regardless of your reason. With Markel's event cancellation insurance, you’re protected. Our event cancellation policy covers non-refundable deposits and non-reimbursable expenses if your event is cancelled or postponed due to an unforeseen circumstance, such as:
- Vendor bankruptcy
- Military deployment
- Accident or illness of host, honoree or immediate family member
- Extreme weather such as a hurricane, named tropical storm or monster snow storm**
Did the reception hall file for bankruptcy? Or have you just found out your photographer went out of business and you’re scrambling for a replacement? Markel's event cancellation insurance can protect you if you choose to go forward with your event despite unexpected setbacks. Event cancellation insurance can also provide coverage for such things as:
- Damage to special attire
- Vendor no-show
- Lost or damaged photography
- Lost or damaged videography
- Lost or damaged gifts
Every special event is different. Markel's event cancellation insurance can be tailored to meet the specific needs of your event, with special policy limits or by including event liability coverage (which many venues now require).
Policy limits are determined according to total wedding budget. Look at some of the additional areas of coverage we offer.
Markel also offers liability coverage for your business and corporate events.† Examples of the business events we cover include:
- Business dinners
- Business meetings
- Corporate private parties
- Fundraiser dinners
- Non-profit functions
Get total protection for your event and save.
Save up to 15% by purchasing both event liability and event cancellation coverage, and rest easy knowing your event is protected.‡
Or call +1.800.388.0169 to speak with an event insurance specialist.
Frequently asked question about event insurance
Event insurance doesn't need to be complicated. Explore the most commonly asked questions about event insurance, and get the answers you're looking for.
*As of December 2023, the minimum premium is $75 and rates could exceed $75 depending on the coverage options selected.
**Event cancellation policy must have been purchased at least 15 days prior to the prediction of the threat of extreme weather.
†Business and corporate events must have less than 500 attendees and are subject to underwriting approval. Event liability coverage for business and corporate events is not available in FL.
‡10% for residents of FL.