Frequently asked questions

It’s a good idea to purchase a policy as soon as you begin to pay deposits. Caterers, photographers and other vendors usually require a significant non-refundable deposit up-front with the remainder due by the day of the event. Our event cancellation coverage can be purchased up to 14 days prior to the event date, and our event liability coverage can be purchased up to 1 day prior to the event date.

In order for our event cancellation policy to cover extreme weather or acts of nature, as defined in the policy, the policy must have been purchased at least 15 days prior to the anticipated or actual extreme weather that causes the cancellation. Long story short, it is a good idea to purchase your event cancellation policy at the beginning of the event planning process. This will help ensure you are protected when a hiccup like covered extreme weather event threatens to show up on your big day.

Coverage may be provided if weather conditions are extreme enough to prevent the honoree, the honoree’s immediate family, an active participant in the event or more than half of the guests from attending your event. However, the event cancellation policy must have been purchased at least 15 days in advance of the anticipated or actual extreme weather or act of nature.

Markel’s event cancellation policy may cover the ‘day of the event’ expenses of hair, make-up and nails of the honoree if their event is cancelled or postponed due to a covered circumstance.

Yes. Event cancellation policies have a $25 deductible for each area of coverage. Event liability policies have a $1,000 deductible for property damage.

If an accident or illness prevents the guest of honor or an immediate family member from attending the event, we provide coverage, as long as illness is not due to a pre-existing medical condition.

Yes. Gifts that are lost or damaged seven days prior to and seven days after the event are covered up to the applicable limit set forth in your policy. There is a $300 limit on cash, checks, and gift cards.

Yes, our event cancellation insurance coverage provides protection for special attire that is lost, stolen, or damaged before the event. Some exclusions apply.

Yes. Cancellation coverage is available for events that are scheduled to take place in (or cruise ships departing from) the United States and territories/possessions, Canada, the United Kingdom, Mexico, the Bahamas, Bermuda, and the Caribbean (excluding Cuba). Liability policies are available for events scheduled to take place in (or cruise ships departing from) the United States and territories/possessions and Canada.

Yes. If the guest of honor is serving full-time, active duty in the armed forces, police, or fire department and must postpone the event due to withdrawal of a previously granted leave or unforeseen deployment, we provide coverage.

Yes, our event cancellation policy provides protection if your film or digital files are lost or damaged before you take possession of them. The policy does not cover photographer error such as under or overexposure.

Report your event insurance claim immediately by calling our office at +1.800.236.2453, or completing the online event insurance claim form.

Each individual claim is different and evaluated as such. The value of your event insurance claim depends on the coverage you purchased and the damages sustained.

Again, each claim is different so there is not a concrete answer. But if we receive all of the necessary documentation (i.e. estimate of damage, photos, receipts, etc.) and have completed our investigation, the claim is paid timely (usually within 7-10 business days).

Yes! You can help streamline the claims process by providing the following information when you file your claim:

• Policy number
• Date, time, and location of loss or damage
• Description of loss or damage
• Photos of the damage or where your items were stolen
• Receipts for your event and goods/services related to your event
• Other items will likely be necessary and will be outlined by your Markel claims examiner upon receipt of the claim

Yes, please see the links below. Policy documents displayed here are samples and are for general information only. There may be variations as required by your state. Please refer to your policy documents received upon purchase for provisions applicable to your policy.

Sample event liability policy

Sample event cancellation policy

Please note: it is important to point out that coverage for each claim will be evaluated individually, based upon its own merits. For more information, refer to the terms and conditions of your policy.

What if someone in my family gets sick before the event? Would that be covered?
If an injury, illness or death prevents the honoree, an active participant or an immediate family member of the honoree from attending the event, we provide coverage, as long as the unavailability is NOT due to:

1. self-inflicted injury, mental illness, or influence of alcohol or drugs;
2. pre-existing medical condition,
3. pregnancy commencing prior to policy issuance, unless the delivery date is more than two months after the event date;
4. violation of law;
5. commencement of the event against medical advice; or
6. infectious disease, pandemic or epidemic.

What if a governmental authority or the venue itself restricts the event?
If the event is restricted because of an infectious disease, epidemic or pandemic, and you choose to cancel the event, the loss would NOT be covered.

What if we decide to cancel the event because of fear of outbreak or safety related concerns of guests?
This can be a difficult decision to make, but there would be no coverage for the cancellation resulting from:

1. a voluntary decision to not proceed with the event; or
2. infectious disease, pandemic or epidemic, including the fear or threat, whether actual or perceived.

What if my guests are unable to attend the event because of COVID-19 or similar disease?
Unfortunately, cancellation due to infectious disease, pandemic or epidemic, including the fear or threat, whether actual or perceived is not covered under our policy.

Is there coverage under the event liability policy for claims alleging that an attendee contacted/was exposed to COVID-19 at my event?
We are unable to provide a coverage evaluation on a hypothetical claim. Policyholders should be aware that certain bodily injury or personal injury claims are not covered under the exclusion that addresses communicable diseases. Each claim is evaluated individually based on the specific circumstances and facts presented.