FAQS ABOUT HOST LIQUOR LIABILITY FOR COMPANY HOLIDAY EVENTS

 In Event Liability Insurance

Planning a corporate event during the holidays requires extra attention and care. Fortunately, our special event liability insurance team can alleviate some pressure by ensuring you receive the best host liquor liability insurance ahead of the festivities.

For those planning their first company holiday party, we designed a quick FAQ on alcohol-related insurance to ensure your special event has the coverage it needs.

WHAT IS HOST LIQUOR LIABILITY INSURANCE?

Host liquor liability insurance provides coverage for bodily injury or property damage caused by intoxicated guests at work events serving alcohol. It’s occasionally included in Commercial General Liability (CGL) insurance policies and can be customized to cover third-party venues, with requirements varying by state.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF SERVING ALCOHOL WITHOUT INSURANCE?Six employees at a company holiday party holding wine glasses.

Half of workplaces serve alcohol at holiday parties. Still, only 47% regulate consumption, even though 20% of attendees binge drink. Consequently, those numbers demonstrate the potential for a business to become liable for certain events should an employee over consume at a holiday party, including:

  • Drunk driving accidents
  • Alcohol poisoning
  • Injuries
  • Property damage
  • Sexual harassment
  • Assault and battery charges
  • Wrongful death lawsuits

WHAT DOES LIQUOR LIABILITY INSURANCE COVER?

Every policy we design is specific to  your organization or event to ensure we provide the necessary coverage. If your CGL policy doesn’t include host liquor liability insurance, we’ll curate a policy that accounts for the following:

  • Incidents where an intoxicated guest causes injury or property damage
  • Potential financial reimbursement against claims of negligence in alcohol service
  • Additional coverage for legal defense costs and lawsuits
  • Alcohol-related events that happen at your corporate holiday party on off the premises

WHAT LEGALITIES SHOULD I BE AWARE OF AT MY HOLIDAY PARTY? Six employees at a company holiday party holding wine glasses.

Serving alcohol at a holiday party opens up a series of liabilities for any business. Therefore, it’s best to meet with a special event liability insurance agent to assess any knowledge gaps you may have. In most cases, you should:

  • Know the legal requirements to serve alcohol by locality and state
  • Obtain any required permits
  • Hire professional servers and bartenders who hold the proper insurance
  • Follow serving and time-based conditions
  • Remember that liabilities continue after the party

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF LIQUOR LIABILITY INSURANCE?

Similar to other event insurance products, our coverage provides a wealth of advantages, including:

  • Financial protection: Potential reimbursements from financial losses associated with alcohol-related incidents.
  • Legal defense coverage: Should a lawsuit surface, liquor liability insurance may cover your organization’s legal fees and court costs.
  • Improved coverage: Typically offers higher limits than general liability for alcohol-related claims.
  • Compliance with regulations: Helps you meet legal requirements and venue mandates for serving alcohol.

WHAT IS FULL LIQUOR LIABILITY INSURANCE?

Full liquor liability coverage is for businesses licensed to sell alcohol, such as bars, restaurants, or full-service caterers. 

AM I COVERED IF I HAVE A COMMERCIAL GENERAL LIABILITY (CGL) POLICY?

Not always. We typically recommend adding host liquor liability insurance to a CGL policy to cover all bases—even if you think you may not need it.

We also recommend that anyone with a CGL plan review the underwriting or speak with an experienced insurance provider before the holidays to ensure they’re appropriately covered.

HOW DO I PURCHASE SPECIAL EVENT INSURANCE?

Securing the best host liquor liability insurance for your corporate holiday event is straightforward when working with an experienced event insurance team.

We start by assessing your needs, reviewing existing coverage, and getting to know you. Once we have all the essential details, we’ll tailor a policy that addresses your event’s risks and liabilities alongside a custom quote.

So, do you need holiday party insurance? Get started by contacting our special event insurance team to discover a policy that matches your occasion and elevates your financial future.

Recent Posts