When it comes to creating memories, there’s nothing quite like hosting a gathering with friends and family. Some of life’s best moments can happen when loved ones are gathered together under one roof. That said, is having your wedding at your family home a good idea? Having friends, family, coworkers, or others to your home, can come with liability risks, and you need to make sure you’re covered. As such, it can make sense to ask if homeowners insurance policies cover your wedding reception party. 

The Real Answer…It Depends

What your homeowner’s policy will and won’t cover depends on a number of factors, like the type of policy you have, any optional endorsements you may have purchased, and the specific incidents that occur. To help you better navigate whether your homeowner’s insurance policy will cover you when hosting a party, we will try and outline the ins and outs of home insurance and being a host for a wedding reception.

What Your Homeowner’s Policy Does Cover

An insurance policy is a legal contract between the insurance company (the insurer) and the person(s), business, or entity being insured (the insured). Reading your policy helps you verify that the policy meets your needs and that you understand your and the insurance company’s responsibilities if a loss occurs. Liability coverage usually covers you if someone is injured on your property during the wedding. If your property is damaged or if you are sued for an injury or damage to someone’s personal property during the event it would be covered. It will also cover you in the event someone damages or even steals your belongings or property.

It Is Wise To Check With Your Provider

With a standard policy, you’ll get four key types of coverage: dwelling, other structures, personal property, and liability. Your normal policy will only cover so much. You need to check your coverage limits and make sure you have enough protection. It will be an additional charge but increasing your limit will probably cost less than you anticipated. And you would be spared an avoidable and devasting financial burden. You may be able to increase your liability coverage limits by adding a personal umbrella policy or buying wedding insurance. Your agent can explain what options are available to you.

Will You Be Serving Alcohol At The Wedding Reception?

While it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of planning an event, every host should be aware of the risks that can make your special day memorable in all the wrong ways. 42 states have enacted social host liability laws that allow party hosts to be sued if a guest drives under the influence and causes an accident. Liquor liability insurance could be held by a vendor such as a professional bartender that you would hire to serve alcohol at your wedding reception. Make sure your vendors have this coverage. This will protect them and you from any liability associated with your event.

You May Want To Consider Wedding Insurance

What is wedding insurance? Special event insurance, sometimes called “wedding insurance” can help protect your investment in a private event such as a wedding. If you’re having a larger event, special event insurance may help give you peace of mind as you invest in your wedding day. Consider talking to your vendors about any insurance coverage they may have and look into the amount of liability coverage you may already have through your homeowner’s insurance company. The wedding insurance can also cover you in case of vendor cancellation, extreme weather, or damage to the wedding dress, or wedding attire. This is in addition to insurance against property damage or people getting injured or sick.

It is always good to check with your provider especially if you are planning an expensive event. Then it is wise to look into a separate wedding insurance policy.

Contact us (859-781-7283) for more information or get a free quote!

About Rollins Insurance 

Rollins Insurance is an independent insurance agency providing our clients the best prices with the most coverage possible since 2008. We represent multiple A-rated insurance companies to make sure we deliver the most competitive rate packages to our clients in Kentucky and Ohio. We find that most people are under-insured and over-paying when we meet them. We love what we do and our primary business is Personal Auto, Homeowners, and Life and Health insurance. We are a family-owned and managed business that specializes in providing needs-based insurance services.
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