How do you get liquor liability insurance for weddings?

people cheersing at a party

Weddings usually have their fair share of drama, but if everyone is talking about an alcohol-related accident instead of the beautiful bride, then something has probably gone very wrong. Things can quickly spiral out of control anytime you throw booze into the mix. Thankfully, Thimble makes getting liquor liability insurance for weddings a breeze.

So, take a deep breath and read on as we pull back the veil on liquor liability insurance for weddings, giving you everything you need for peace of mind and protection during the big event.

What is wedding liquor liability insurance?

Wedding liquor liability insurance is simply liquor liability coverage. It offers protection against the financial consequences of claims of property damage and bodily injury to third parties that arise from alcohol-related incidents at a wedding.

People expect to have a few drinks at a wedding after the champagne pops. It’s important to be aware that there are always risks with alcohol on the scene, especially when that uncle makes his way to the dance floor with a drink in his hand! If some unexpected and unwanted drama arises, at least you know you’re protected.

If your big day brings big trouble, Thimble’s Wedding Insurance can help protect the event hosts and organizers from facing some hefty financial consequences. At the end of the special day, the last thing you need to worry about is paying for an unexpected bill from the venue owner or a post-honeymoon date with a judge.

All of our event insurance covers you from many of the financial consequences from damages occurring as a result of liquor liability at your event. And if you are normally in the business of selling or serving alcohol and having the event at your facility, you should purchase additional liquor liability coverage. That’s game-changing flexibility.

What does wedding liquor liability insurance cover?

Wedding liquor liability insurance is a type of general liability insurance, which provides coverage to a business for damages arising from third-party claims of bodily injury and property damage However, some policies exclude third-party injuries and damages related to alcohol consumption.

With Thimble’s Wedding Insurance, the insured is provided with defense, investigation, and settlement for damages stemming from alcohol-related claims. Liquor liability insurance for weddings pertains to:

  • Third-party bodily injury (excludes employees): This coverage provides the insured with protection against claims in which someone other than an employee sustains a physical injury at the wedding when alcohol is involved.
  • Third-party property damage: This coverage protects the insured against claims for damages to the venue as well as to someone else’s property, such as their clothes or handbag.

Why do you need liquor liability for weddings?

Is this type of insurance really necessary? Perhaps you’re having just a small wedding at your home. Maybe you believe you can trust everyone to behave themselves. Plus, it’s not like your family would take you to court anyway, right?

Unfortunately, no matter how good your wedding planner is, there are some things you can’t foresee. With that in mind, it’s best to prepare for the unexpected.

Here are a few possible scenarios where liquor liability insurance for weddings could protect you:

  • Your friends could be great dancers, but they might not have the balance and grace they need to stay upright if they’re dancing with drinks in their hands. As the night pushes on and the floor gets slippery, you don’t want to be paying for the damages if someone needs medical attention.
  • While everyone may turn up in fine suits and fancy dresses, free-flowing alcohol can quickly unravel the sense of decorum. Some smashed glasses or a broken table isn’t fun, but it would be much worse if you have to foot the bill for damages from your own pocket.
  • On the morning after, people should talk about the fantastic night they just had or the honeymoon that lies ahead. If the conversation centers on an impending claim for some unfortunate, alcohol-related reason, your liquor liability insurance for weddings can provide the defense and investigation of claims.

Who is liable for alcohol-related claims at a wedding?

If a waiter or bartender serves alcohol to someone who is obviously a little tipsy already, the server could be liable for harm caused by that person. And that’s not all—this liability could extend from the server to the business that hired the hospitality staff, the event host, and possibly even the bride and groom.

When it comes to wedding planning, it’s crucial to realize you could be held liable if you provide alcohol or allow people to consume it at your event—even if somebody else causes the damage or injury.

So, what can you do to reduce the risk? In addition to making sure you’ve protected yourself by purchasing liquor liability insurance, here are a few tips to minimize the chances of alcohol-related disasters:

  • Hire reputable vendors: You can avoid some incidents by using licensed event staff and trained servers with experience in handling crowds and intoxicated people at large events. And when you hire vendors for your wedding, make sure they have their own coverage and that they add you as an Additional Insured.
  • Limited drink tickets: A complimentary drink is a nice touch at a wedding, but keep the freebies to one or two for each guest.
  • Use a cash bar: Guests are less likely to drink in excess when they have to pay for drinks. (Keep in mind that if you want to sell alcohol, retail liquor liability is an additional layer of coverage that costs extra.)
  • Ban hard liquor: By only serving wine and beer, you help people pace themselves and safeguard against potential chaos likely to ensue when a member of the wedding party inevitably calls for jello shots.
  • Serve midnight snacks: Not only will this surprise be a hit with guests who get the late-night munchies, but the food can help absorb alcohol.
  • Offer a shuttle bus service: If you can afford to ferry guests to their homes or hotel, it will reduce the likelihood of drunk driving.

How much does liquor liability insurance for weddings cost?

Here’s the good news: Liquor liability insurance for weddings does not have to be expensive.

Your cost will vary depending on the location, the number of guests, the location, or event hazards. And, as mentioned already, if you’re in the business of selling alcohol, you’ll need additional liquor liability.

Recent industry research on the leading wedding insurance companies indicates that the average price for basic wedding insurance ranges between $125-250. However, you can get Wedding Insurance via Thimble for as little as $115.

So, now that you know what this type of insurance covers, why you need it, and how much it costs, it’s time to pop the burning question: how do you get liquor liability insurance for weddings?

How to get liquor liability insurance for weddings

Whether you’re walking down the aisle or planning someone else’s wedding, you can relax when you have Wedding Insurance arranged by Thimble.

Ultimately, when you’re protected by Thimble, you can worry less about the financial repercussions of third-party claims for injuries and property damage and instead focus on having a great time at the wedding.

Let us know if you would like us to notify you when Thimble Wedding Insurance is available in your area.

Get insured to live happily ever after

Making the vow to stand by someone “for better or for worse” is an honorable intention—but it’s a whole lot easier if you have protection against some worst-case scenarios.

Liquor liability insurance for weddings is an essential yet affordable cost that gives you the protection you need if something (or someone) goes sideways. So when one of the groomsmen launches into an ill-fated, booze-inspired rendition of the robot dance, you can relax when you’ve said “I do” to liquor liability insurance for weddings.

With Thimble as part of your entourage, you can get coverage in just sixty seconds and feel confident on your big day, no matter what comes your way.

Get Greenlight in your inbox.

It's not every other newsletter. It's every other week, four minutes long, and just for small businesses.