All organisers hope that their event will run smoothly, but it is important to plan for all eventualities. Event organisers have a 'Duty of Care' to their workers, volunteers, contractors and customers. Adequate Insurance is part of your 'Duty of Care' and legal obligations.

If you are organising an event within an existing organisation, check whether existing insurance policies cover the event.

Check policies in detail and make sure that the organisation team are aware of any exclusions.

Check that insurance cover corresponds to existing legislation. Changes to the law occur periodically and your insurance broker/company may not always be aware of these. It is your responsibility to check this. Make sure that all staff, including: contractors; subcontractors; marshals; stewards and security (including private security) and self-employed staff are covered by your policy or have their own public liability cover.

Make sure that the following are covered:

• public and employee liability
• loss of cash/receipts
• cancellation (eg. artists)

BIBA, the insurance brokers' trade body, has a searchable database at www.biba.org.uk/consumer/findbroker.asp Other festival and event organisers may also be able to recommend a broker/insurance company for example Festivals of Wales.

Key Points:

• Never cut back on insurance cover
• Always get a number of quotes
• Read and check insurance cover carefully before excepting
• Check that all liabilities are met

See Also:

1.9 Establish Permissions needed
1.10 Check Legal Obligations
2.4 Draft Budget
2.7 Start booking
3.4 Finalised Budget
7.2 Case Study - Man v Horse