Special Events Insurance

Special Events Insurance Program from Cochrane & Company

Cochrane & Company offers a focused Special Events Insurance program that helps agents and brokers place one-day or short-term event liability for clients. Whether the insured is running a wedding reception, fundraiser, festival, corporate party, or concert, this program is designed to address the common exposures that arise at temporary events.

As a Managing General Agency with more than 25 years of liquor liability experience, Cochrane & Company understands the added risks when alcohol service, temporary staff, volunteers, food vendors, and large crowds are involved. Policies are written on a non-admitted basis and are available in AZ, CA, ID, MT, NV, ND, OR, UT, WA, and WY.

Ideal Accounts and Appetite

This program is a good fit for short-duration events including:

• Weddings, receptions, and private parties
• Charity events and fundraisers
• Festivals, fairs, parades, and community events
• Corporate events and company functions
• Concerts and live performances (one-day or limited series)

Events with on-site alcohol service—whether provided by the insured or a contracted vendor—are within appetite. Accounts hosted at rented venues, those using temporary workers or volunteers, and events with food vendors are also eligible. Higher-risk exposures such as large multi-day festivals, venues with known crowd-control issues, or events where underage drinking is uncontrolled should be reviewed with underwriters in advance.

Coverage Highlights and Advantages

The Special Events program includes coverages commonly requested for event placements:

• Liquor Liability: Separate limits available for negligent service to intoxicated or underage attendees
• General Liability: Coverage for bodily injury, property damage, and medical payments
• No Deductible: Reduces out-of-pocket exposure for insureds
• Damage to Rented Premises: Broader coverage than basic fire-only limits
• Food & Beverage Product Liability: Protection for food-borne illness and related claims
• Expense Costs Outside Policy Limit: Select costs can be paid outside the underlying limit to help preserve limits for third-party claims
• Additional Insured Endorsements: Venues and landlords can be added at no extra charge
• Temporary Workers & Volunteers: Automatically included as insureds where applicable
• Claims Expertise: Dedicated claims unit with liquor liability and event experience

Underwriting Notes and Minimum Premiums

Cochrane underwrites each event individually to allow flexibility in coverage and pricing. Minimum premiums vary by event type, size, and state. When submitting, be prepared to provide:

• Expected attendance and duration
• Alcohol service details (who serves, ticketed vs. open bar)
• Venue type (private residence, rented hall, outdoor park, etc.)
• Use of vendors, food trucks, or amusement vendors
• Information on security, crowd control, and temporary staffing

Territories and Availability

This program is available on a non-admitted basis in: Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Availability may vary by carrier and odd-limit requests should be discussed with underwriting.

Why Work With Cochrane & Company?

Cochrane & Company brings decades of focused liquor and event liability underwriting. Their strengths include deep market relationships for alcohol liability placements, a claims unit experienced with event-related exposures, and flexible underwriting for single-event and small-series placements. Those features can help you place accounts quickly and reduce surprises at bind/claim time.

Example scenarios you can place through this program: a couple hosting a private wedding reception at a rented venue with a hired bartender and food trucks; or a local nonprofit running a one-day outdoor fundraiser with volunteers and a temporary beer garden. Both situations typically fit the program when event controls and vendor agreements are in place.

For more information or to submit a risk, contact Cochrane & Company or visit their company profile.