https://completemarkets.com/company/bua/event-cancellation---exhibitors/
For many businesses, exhibiting at a trade show is a major marketing investment. Whether launching a new product or building brand visibility, companies often commit significant time and money to these events. Unforeseen circumstances—ranging from natural disasters to personal emergencies—can derail those plans and leave exhibitors with unrecoverable expenses. That’s where BUA Insurance’s ShowDown® Event Cancellation Insurance for Exhibitors steps in.
Overview of the Program From BUA Insurance
BUA Insurance, a Managing General Agency, offers tailored event cancellation coverage built specifically for exhibitors. This program is designed for businesses that face significant non-refundable losses when a show is canceled, postponed, or disrupted. Agents and brokers can use BUA’s market relationships and responsive underwriting to place this niche coverage quickly and efficiently.
Ideal Accounts and Appetite
This program fits insureds who:
Regularly exhibit at trade shows, conventions, expos, or roadshows
Invest heavily in travel, custom booths, audio/visual, shipping, or promotional materials
Would face material financial loss from a canceled, postponed, or interrupted event
Common fits include manufacturers, technology firms, retailers, and professional service firms that rely on in-person events for sales, product launches, or lead generation.
Coverage Highlights and Advantages
BUA’s ShowDown® policy helps your clients recover non-refundable expenses when they cannot attend due to covered perils or when an event is canceled, postponed, or materially interrupted. Typical covered events include:
Adverse weather that prevents travel or makes attendance impossible
Death or serious illness of a key employee or immediate family member
Wildfire, flood, earthquake, and other named physical perils
The policy can cover costs such as travel and lodging, freight and booth shipping, custom booth fabrication, on-site labor, and pre-paid marketing or sponsorship fees—expenses that would otherwise be lost if the exhibitor is forced to cancel attendance.
Underwriting Notes and Minimum Premiums
Underwriting focuses on the event details: venue, dates, size, and the insured’s total outlay for the event. Submissions should include event location, scheduled dates, a breakdown of estimated costs (travel, shipping, booth, marketing), and the exhibitor’s anticipated revenue or exposure. Minimum premiums vary by carrier and event profile; BUA works with multiple markets to match pricing and forms to the risk.
Territories and Availability
BUA’s Event Cancellation Insurance for Exhibitors is available in most U.S. states, including AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, DC, WV, WI, and WY. Some admitted markets may be available depending on state regulation and the risk profile.
Why Work With BUA Insurance on This Business
As an MGA, BUA brings focused expertise in event-related exposures and access to multiple carriers that underwrite this niche. BUA provides responsive underwriting, flexible form options, and support for complex submissions—helping you place accounts that can be difficult to handle in standard markets.
Whether a client attends one major conference each year or runs a full calendar of trade events, this program helps protect their marketing investment and provides peace of mind if the unexpected occurs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of accounts are a good fit for this program?Accounts that regularly exhibit at trade shows, expos, or conventions and face unrecoverable expenses if an event is canceled or interrupted are a good fit.
What kinds of events are covered under this policy?Covered perils typically include adverse weather, wildfire, flood, earthquake, and death or serious illness of a key employee or immediate family member. Coverage depends on the carrier and specific policy wording.
Is this program available in all states?No. The program is available in most U.S. states—BUA currently offers it in over 45 states, including major admitted and non-admitted markets such as CA, TX, NY, FL, and IL.
How are premiums determined for this coverage?Premiums are based on the event’s size, location, and the exhibitor’s total investment and exposure. Minimum premium levels depend on the chosen carrier and event details.
What makes BUA a strong partner for this type of coverage?BUA offers niche expertise, multiple carrier options, and responsive underwriting—qualities that help brokers place event cancellation risks that can be hard to find in standard markets.
Need help placing an account? Connect with a market specialist.