You never want to think of something terrible happening on your wedding day. But from trip hazards to alcohol-related accidents to unprecedented events like COVID, it’s hard to always predict what could happen. Luckily, wedding insurance can give you the peace of mind to know you’re covered in case of the worst. This week on the podcast, we had Front Row Insurance’s Alyson Locacciato to help run us through the ins and outs of wedding insurance!

What is Front Row Insurance Brokers?

Front Row Insurance Brokers specialize in insuring the arts, film, and special events fields. They have created an online event liability platform specifically for events and weddings. They provide affordable insurance with multiple package options to protect you in the case of an unfortunate event at your wedding. They currently offer liability insurance for bodily injury, property damage, and liquor liability. 

Please note this program is currently only available to residents of Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Georgia, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wyoming.

Why do you need wedding insurance?

Many wedding venues will require you to purchase event insurance to protect the property from potential damage costs, as well as reduce the venue’s liability if someone gets injured at the event. Check your venue contract for event liability insurance requirements! 

Wedding insurance is there to cover and protect you and indemnify you in the case of an accident. For example, someone trips and falls during the ceremony or reception causing them to go to the hospital. They may need to seek litigation in order to cover their medical costs.

The average lawsuit will cost a minimum of $250,000 for you to be defended. By seeking wedding insurance, you will pay a one-time fee of $100 for coverage up to a million dollars, and there will be no deductible. This protects your personal assets and gives you peace of mind on your wedding day. 

Even if you are not required to have insurance by your venue, it’s great to have it in place for peace of mind alone. Knowing that your assets are protected in the case of a loss is an invaluable relief when you are already planning so many things at once!

How do you sign up?

Typically the bride and groom sign up for the insurance. Since they are the event host, they’ll typically get named in a lawsuit should one be filed. The insurance will cover the cost of defending them. 

To receive a quote that is valid for 30 days, simply follow these steps:

1. Visit Event Insurance (USA)
2. Click Start Here and fill out the requested information
3. In less than a minute you will receive a generated premium based on the number of people you have and what coverage is needed.
4. Check out, and put in discount code USAEVENT to save $25
5. An email will be generated with proof of insurance that has the venue’s name on it. 
6. If the coverage isn’t sufficient – reach out to see what else they can do for you.

What are the types of liquor liability coverage?

There are two types of liquor liability coverage that Front Row Insurance Brokerage provides. Depending on who is serving the alcohol at your wedding will depend on the type of insurance you need.

Host Liquor Liability: You would choose this type of insurance if you have hired a licensed bartender. Even though they typically have their own insurance, if the bartender over-serves a guest and they get into an accident, your name will likely end up on the lawsuit (along with the bartender and the venue).
Liquor Liability: Liquor Liability would be used if you got a temporary liquor license to serve your own guests. While you are able to serve your own guests, if someone was overserved or underage people were consuming alcohol and an accident happened, you could be held liable. This type of insurance is not eligible in all states, so make sure to check!

What is covered and what isn’t?

While event insurance is a popular choice for weddings, it can be purchased for thousands of other events, including birthday parties, meetings, festivals, and film screenings. Exactly what’s covered varies based on the event, the insurer, and the policy, but you’ll generally be able to find coverage for liability.

Liability: If someone gets hurt because of your event or damages the venue’s property, you’re financially protected from liability claims.

Liquor Liability: If you are serving liquor directly to your guests, you will want to pursue liquor liability. Liquor liability insurance can provide coverage for bodily injury or property damage arising out of the serving or distribution of alcoholic beverages.

Host Liquor Liability: Host Liquor Liability is liability insurance for bodily injury or property damage arising out of the serving or distribution of alcoholic beverages by a party not engaged in this activity, such as a bartender.

Their policy does not cover the performer, vendor, or exhibitor. The coverage protects you, from the added risk of having them at your event. If they are a professional company, they should buy and provide their own insurance specific to their business, and provide you with proof of insurance.

Unfortunately, they cannot insure wedding cancellation or gifts and attire at this time but they are looking forward to potentially offering those coverages in the future.

Why is it so important? A real-life example.

Right before walking down the aisle, an outdoor tent covering the DJ from the sun came untethered by the wind, injured guests, and destroyed the cocktail serving station. Their event liability policy provided the wedding couple with a lawyer to defend the resulting lawsuits from friends and relatives. It also paid for the destroyed catering tables. 

This was a newly engaged couple that just put all of their money into throwing their dream wedding. If they did not have insurance, they could have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars defending themselves.

Unexpected things happen and insurance is invaluable! It takes one minute to get the quote which is valid for 30 days for you to purchase. Front Row Insurance Brokerage is such an affordable option, it truly feels like a no-brainer. Don’t forget to use their code USAEVENT to save $25 off your premium. Insurance is just one aspect that you may want help with when planning your wedding. If you are looking for additional support, book a free consultation call with us to learn what areas we specialize in!