Let’s talk wedding planner insurance. If you are a newer wedding consultant, you might be wondering if getting wedding planner insurance is really necessary. There are no standards in this business yet, so no one will be breathing down your neck and asking you for proof of insurance. But as a rule, and in my professional opinion, it is necessary and you should have it. I have used Hiscox in the past, so I recommend checking them out. It all goes back to good ol’ Murphy’s Law. If you aren’t familiar with Murphy’s Law, it states that if something is going to go wrong, it will.
Wedding Planner Insurance
It excites me to know you’ll soon have the latest dish on the horrors of wedding planning. Not because I’m sadistic, but because it means you’re earning your stripes. I don’t want you to be the horror story, though. So here’s how having general liability insurance can save you from regret.
Bodily Injury
Just imagine with me for a sec—you’re setting up a wedding. Boxes of stuff are all around you. A guest (who is trying to be helpful) isn’t paying attention and trips over your boxes. She falls and lands on her wrist, trying to catch herself. She is in pain, and you get her some ice. Days later you find out her wrist is broken when you’re served with papers. She’s decided to sue you. Are you aware of the cost of medical bills these days? My son broke his leg last year and the ER visit was $24,000! $24,000!!! He never even had surgery or a cast, y’all. He spent a whole six hours there. Thank goodness for insurance! Having wedding planner insurance can help you defray the cost if Murphy’s Law rears its ugly head during your event.
Property Damage
Property damage is a little bit more likely than bodily injury at a wedding. I once heard about a florist who hung decor on the ceiling of a venue and when she took it down the next day, it had totally destroyed the custom crown molding. It was so bad she had to file a claim through her insurance company. Make sure you’re covered so you don’t have to pay for damages out of pocket if something like that happens.
Venues
Most venues require $1 million in general liability coverage. Sometimes you’ll need a certificate with the venue’s name on it. Requirements will vary from venue to venue, so be sure to find out exactly what you need for each one you work with.
Depending on what company you go with and what your needs are, you will likely spend about $300–$500 per year on insurance. Most insurance companies have monthly plans. I ended up using Hiscox because I had independent contractors working for me and not all insurance companies will cover that. If you have someone working with you, which you should, be sure to ask about independent contractors. Hiscox is a very a popular insurance company among creatives. A Hiscox rep can tell you all about their offerings and what you might need.
What kinds of wedding horror stories have you heard?
