How to Read Your Event Insurance Policy: A Checklist
Understanding your event insurance policy does not require a law degree. This checklist walks you through the key sections to review before your event.
Why You Should Read Your Policy
The issued policy is the controlling contract. A Certificate of Insurance only summarizes listed information and does not amend coverage. Review the policy's coverage grants, limits, conditions, endorsements, and exclusions before the event with a licensed insurance professional.
Declarations Page
The declarations page (or dec page) is the summary section at the front of your policy. It lists: the named insured, policy number, coverage period, coverage types, limits for each coverage, deductible amounts, and premium. Verify that all information is correct—especially your name, event dates, and coverage limits. Any errors on the dec page should be corrected immediately through your broker.
Coverage Sections
The coverage section defines the policy's insuring agreements. A commercial general liability form may include bodily injury and property damage liability and personal and advertising injury, but forms vary. Review coverage grants, definitions, limits, sublimits, conditions, and exclusions together.
Exclusions
The exclusions section lists what the policy does not cover. Common event insurance exclusions include intentional acts, professional liability, pollution, employment-related claims, and certain high-risk activities. Understanding exclusions is crucial—if your event includes activities that are excluded, you need to discuss this with your broker to determine if additional coverage is available.
Conditions
Policy conditions outline your obligations as the insured. These include timely claim reporting requirements, cooperation with investigations, and rules about policy changes. The most important condition for event planners is the claim reporting requirement—most policies require you to report incidents promptly, and late reporting can jeopardize coverage.
Endorsements and Additional Insureds
Endorsements modify the base policy—they can add, remove, or change coverage. Review all endorsements attached to your policy. The most common endorsement for events is the additional insured endorsement, which extends coverage to your venue. Verify that additional insured endorsements list the correct legal entity names and addresses for your venue and any other parties required by your contracts.
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