Event Insurance for Community Groups

As an event organiser, you are responsible for ensuring that the event runs smoothly and safely. Despite taking all necessary precautions, there is still a risk of things going wrong.

Event Insurance, specifically a General Public and Product Liability Insurance Policy, provides coverage if you are sued by a member of the public who was injured or experienced property damage while attending your event.

You would need to make sure you identify, analyse, evaluate and treat all risk management aspects of the event. This could also involve liaising with the relevant Government Departments to utilise their expertise/advice on organising an event, to make it safe for members of the public to attend.

Even if you’ve done everything which is considered to be reasonably practicable, things can still go wrong!

A General Public and Product Liability Insurance Policy may help cover you if you are sued by a member of the public because they were injured or sustained property damage whilst attending an event organised by you.

It is important to consider whether you can afford to take the risk of not having a General Public and Product Liability Insurance Policy.

If you were to be sued and found liable for personal injury or property damage, the costs of defending yourself and any amounts awarded to the injured party could be significant.

Contact the LCIS team to discuss Insurance options that can suit your event and provide the necessary coverage.

If an event is cancelled due to circumstances beyond the organiser's control, such as severe weather, it can result in significant financial losses.

To mitigate this risk, event organisers can arrange Cancellation and Abandonment Insurance.

This type of Insurance provides coverage for the costs incurred in organising the event, helping to recoup some or all the expenses in case of cancellation.

Make sure that other groups who you contract with to exhibit/participate at your event (e.g. stallholders, bands, stage hands, and security) have their own Insurance.

Liability can come back to you as the organiser of the event if something goes wrong and these groups do not have their own Insurance.

• Do you have a detailed risk management plan in place and has it been implemented?

• Do you have a contingency/emergency plan in place? Make sure all structures and activities (amusement rides) comply with legislative requirements. 

• Any road closures? 

• Ensure you have very experienced people to manage this and liaise with your local council regarding the same. 

• If the event is cancelled due to circumstances beyond your control and you have spent a lot of money organising the event, how will you recoup these costs? Talk to LCIS and we can arrange Cancellation and Abandonment Insurance.

Understanding Liability Limits is important when determining the appropriate coverage for Public and Products Liability Event Insurance.

•  Crowd exposure: The number of people expected to attend the event is a crucial factor in determining the liability limit. In the event of an incident causing injuries to multiple individuals, the liability limit could be quickly exhausted. Larger concentrations of people require higher liability limits to adequately cover potential claims.

• Types of activities: The nature of activities conducted at the event also affects the liability exposure. Higher-risk activities, such as amusement rides or sports competitions, present a greater potential for accidents and injuries. If food is being sold, there is a risk of contamination, which could lead to a large number of people suffering from food poisoning. These factors should be considered when setting the liability limit.

• Settlement time: Another consideration is the length of time it may take to settle a claim if you are sued due to an incident at your event. Legal costs can accumulate over time, and the amount to be paid to the injured party can add up to a significant sum. It is important to consider the potential costs associated with a prolonged legal process when determining the liability limit.

By carefully assessing these factors, event organisers can determine an appropriate Liability Limit for their event Insurance coverage, ensuring adequate protection against potential claims and financial losses.

When planning an event where alcohol will be sold, supplied, or consumed, it is crucial to familiarise yourself with and comply with the laws and regulations in your specific state or territory in Australia. Each state and territory has its own set of laws that govern the sale, supply, and consumption of alcohol.

Compliance with these laws is important to avoid fines and penalties for non-compliance. As an event manager, you have a duty of care to provide a safe environment for all attendees, including ensuring responsible alcohol service and consumption.

If you decide to contract out the alcohol service or supply to a third-party vendor, it is essential to ensure that the vendor is experienced and knowledgeable about the laws and regulations in the jurisdiction where the event is taking place. Additionally, it is important to verify that the vendor has their own Insurance coverage to protect against any liabilities that may arise from their alcohol-related activities.

By adhering to the relevant laws, working with experienced operators, and ensuring proper Insurance coverage, you can help create a safe and compliant environment for alcohol service at your event.

The availability of Insurance coverage for events where alcohol is served or consumed will depend on the specific Insurance policy you have in place. It is important to review your Insurance policy or consult with your Insurance provider to understand the extent of coverage provided for events involving alcohol.

In many cases, event organisers can obtain specific Insurance coverage, such as liquor liability Insurance, to protect against potential liabilities arising from the sale, supply, or consumption of alcohol at the event. This type of Insurance typically covers legal costs, damages, and other expenses associated with alcohol-related incidents or claims.

However, it is important to note that Insurance coverage may have certain limitations or exclusions. It is advisable to carefully review your policy and discuss any specific requirements or considerations related to alcohol with your Insurance provider to ensure that you have appropriate coverage for your event.

Additionally, if you choose to contract out the alcohol service or supply to a third-party vendor, it is important to verify that the vendor has their own Insurance coverage to protect against any liabilities that may arise from their alcohol-related activities.

Ultimately, it is recommended to consult with an Insurance professional or broker who specialises in event Insurance to ensure that you have the necessary coverage in place for events involving alcohol.

Hiring a property to hold your event? The owner of the property may request you take out a General Public and Products Liability policy to secure the venue.

Why is this?
If something were to go wrong at the event, for example, one of your guests was outside smoking and afterwards did not butt out their cigarette properly, resulting in a fire, the property sustains damage, and the owner of the property sues you. Without a policy to cover you, you could be responsible to pay the damages yourself. If any of your guests are injured whilst attending your event, they could also sue you.

Thus,  it is strongly recommended that you have a policy to cover you.

A detailed risk management plan for an event should include an assessment of potential risks and hazards, strategies to mitigate those risks, and protocols for responding to emergencies or unforeseen circumstances.

It should cover areas such as crowd management, security, health and safety, and compliance with legislative requirements.

Implementing the risk management plan is crucial to ensure the safety and success of the event.

Event Cancellation Insurance is generally appropriate for events with a budget of $30,000 or higher, and is more affordable than you may think.

To find out more information about whether Event Cancellation Insurance is right for your upcoming event, contact the LCIS team to discuss your requirements.

You will be required to complete a proposal form and provide an event budget along with any other relevant event information.