Front Row's President & CEO David Hamilton recently contributed the following guest article to BC Business Magazine, and we wanted to share this here with our community. As many of you are gearing up to plan holiday events and parties, these tips will make sure you're prepared - even if the party gets a little crazy!

Planning this year's holiday office party? Prepare for the unexpected

We’ve all had (or been) that coworker who has a little too much fun and does something they completely regret the day after the annual holiday office party. If you’re on the event planning team for this year’s holiday party, it’s in your best interest to be prepared for every possible scenario as you prepare for office shenanigans.... 

CLICK HERE to read the full article at BC Business Magazine. 

Credit: Kelsey Chance/Unsplash 

Planning a Gardening Show? Protect yourself with Event Insurance

Planning an annual flower show, competition, plant sale, or garden tour? You should consider getting Garden Show Special Event Insurance. Gardeners know better than anyone that events can be unpredictable. Disasters strike even the most careful and diligent gardeners. That’s where insurance comes in. Having the right Garden Show insurance policy protects you from those unforeseeable dangers and gives you peace of mind—not quite the blissful serenity of a well-tended garden, but close enough!

Opening your garden to the public or hosting an event brings its own set of challenges, which is why most rental venues will require you to carry Event Insurance. Often, this will be stated explicitly in the rental contract, including the liability amounts required. Garden venues want to be protected in case your guests damage property or someone is injured at your event and tries to sue. If you are renting equipment, like a sound system, tent, or a marquee, you will also want coverage in case that property is damaged.

If your organization is hosting a garden event at a private residence, the homeowner’s policy likely will not provide adequate insurance. Parties of a certain size may be excluded. Your organization will need to have Event Insurance in place in the unlikely event that a guest is injured. That stone walkway or water feature might look lovely, but it could also be a tripping hazard!

One day garden event insurance is inexpensive and available online with no need to talk to a broker. Policies start at $130 and at no additional cost certificates can be provided to your gardening show venue that prove you are protected.

A quote is also free, fast, and available any time of the day or night. Click here to get started.

Throwing a party in your office or at your home or maybe you are renting a venue? Well, you’re going to need one day special event insurance.

WHAT IS EVENT INSURANCE? 

Short term event insurance protects you from lawsuits caused by damage to the location you are renting or lawsuits that arise if your guests are injured. Your rented venue is likely going to ask for evidence of one day liability event insurance so the venue owners are not drawn into your lawsuit.

What would I need one day event insurance for?

• If you are hosting a Canada Day party in a municipal park, or on a municipal beach or on crown land you may need a permit that requires you to show evidence of one day event liability. Often the permit will specify the short term venue liability amount required.
• Your guests may accidentally damage the cabana or barbecue shelter you have rented. Does the owner require you to provide evidence of short term venue liability insurance? It is suggested that you check your rental contract.
• Are you hosting the holiday party around Christmas at your house? Check with your homeowners broker to see if you are covered. Parties over a certain size are most likely not covered especially if you serve alcohol.
• Have you rented furniture or the sound system or a marquee for your annual summer bash? Are you responsible to insure the equipment you have rented? Take time to read the fine print in those rental contracts.
• Hosting a company party during the holidays is a great time to bond with coworkers. Parties are fun until your staff are injured. What if your employee is forced to sue your company? Will your business office insurance cover a holiday party? Holiday party liability insurance will cover you if you are sued by providing a free lawyer to defend you and paying the judgement costs awarded to your injured guest.
• If you are serving alcohol, try to hire a caterer to serve the drinks or purchase one day liquor liability insurance.
• What happens if your marquee blows away and injures other people in the park? Lawsuits from a cartwheeling marquee would be covered with day insurance.

Front Row Insurance Brokers offers online holiday insurance with no need to talk to a broker. Policies start at $130 and certificates proving insurance coverage for your rented venue are provided immediately at no cost.

A quote is also free - a fast quote is available any time of the day or night.

If you will be serving alcohol at your holiday party make sure that you request venue alcohol liability. Remember, as a host you are responsible for the safety of any guests. You could be held legally responsible if people consume alcohol during your holiday party and harm themselves or someone else. Consider how your guests will be traveling home.

Purchase peace of mind in five minutes with no need to talk to a broker by buying online today.

Get a Free Online Quote Now

It’s always good planning to have holiday insurance because you never know when something unexpected may occur. Online holiday insurance will allow you to enjoy your special day.

About: Front Row Insurance Brokers Inc. is an independent insurance broker that provides insurance for the lowest possible cost. Should a claim occur, Front Row ensures that you receive the money you are owed per the insurance policy, as quickly as possible. Front Row has offices in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax and are licensed and registered in all provinces in Canada.