If you’re considering hosting your wedding day or another special occasion at Los Altos History Museum, event insurance is a necessity that will protect you from financial liability in the event of injury, property damage, or any unforeseen cancellations.

Luckily, getting coverage is simple and affordable — and will ensure that your event is a magical occasion from beginning to end. Here’s everything you need to know about why event insurance is required at Los Altos History Museum, what it will cover, and how you can secure coverage from the Museum’s official venue-approved provider, BriteCo.

Why Event Insurance Is Required at Los Altos History Museum

Los Altos History Museum makes a stunning backdrop for any event, whether it’s held outside in the garden courtyard or inside the Museum where permanent and rotating exhibit spaces provide extra interest for guests.

However, unique features can come with certain risks, including outdoor spaces that could be tricky for some guests to navigate and artifacts and structures that are costly or sometimes impossible to replace.

If one of your guests has an injury or there’s any damage to the property over the course of your event, insurance can alleviate your financial liability. Furthermore, if you’re serving alcohol during your event, additional risks and liability arise.

Comprehensive event insurance can give you total peace of mind, assuring that if any incident were to occur, you’re not held financially responsible.

The Two Types of Event Insurance to Consider

There are two types of event insurance to consider, both of which have their own separate benefits: liability insurance and cancellation insurance. While Los Altos History Museum requires any host to have liability insurance in order to book the venue, cancellation insurance is also highly recommended. Here are the key differences between the two.

Event Liability Insurance and What it Covers

Event liability insurance covers bodily injury, property damage, and host liquor liability and is required by the museum’s event contract.

The coverage will protect both the event host and the museum in case anyone is injured or the museum’s facilities are damaged by a guest or vendor.

Policies like BriteCo offers also cover the entirety of your time at the venue, from rehearsal to set-up to clean-up.

Event Cancellation Insurance and What it Covers

Event cancellation insurance helps you recoup your financial investment in the event there’s a cancellation, whether the entire event is called off or if a vendor cancels.

For example, if severe weather would make it potentially dangerous to move forward with your event, and you need to cancel and rebook it for a later date, insurance would refund you any initial deposits, so your investment doesn’t go to waste.

Additionally, if a vendor such as a florist or caterer can no longer honor their commitment for some reason, your event cancellation insurance would cover any deposits that aren’t refunded, so you can move forward with hiring a replacement.

What Does Event Insurance Not Cover?

Most policies do not cover wedding cancellations due to cold feet. However, BriteCo does offer optional change-of-heart coverage, which you can add on to your policy. This coverage will allow you to recoup up to 75% of your investment if you or your spouse-to-be decide to not move forward with the nuptials.

Regarding event liability insurance, coverage may not apply if an injury or damage occurs related to a non-covered activity. For example, if there’s a fire related to use of fireworks or sparklers during a wedding reception — neither are permitted during events on the Los Altos History Museum grounds.

How Much Does Event Insurance Cost?

Event insurance is often one of the most affordable costs you’ll have when planning a wedding or similar occasion. Some plans start below $100.

While the exact cost may differ depending on details such as your event size, how much coverage you purchase, and other factors, in general, BriteCo’s event liability insurance starts at $102 and event cancellation insurance starts at $75.

Additional add-on coverage is also available, such as MedPay coverage for any medical expenses resulting from accidents (regardless of fault) and increased coverage limits, up to $20 million.

Event Insurance FAQs

Do I Need Insurance if I’m Hosting an Event at Los Altos History Museum?

Yes, Los Altos History Museum does require that you purchase an event liability insurance policy, inclusive of liquor liability coverage if you’re serving alcohol at your event. We recommend that you purchase event cancellation insurance for greater peace of mind.

What Will Be Covered by Event Liability Insurance?

Event liability insurance will clear you from financial liability in the instance of personal injury or property damage that may occur during the course of your venue rental.

When Do I Need to Buy Event Insurance?

We recommend that you secure your insurance policy as soon as you’re ready to book your event with Los Altos History Museum, so you can provide the necessary certificate of insurance and avoid a delay in confirming your event date.

How Much Will Event Insurance Cost?

Event insurance can be one of the most affordable costs of your event, with many policies starting at under $100. BriteCo’s coverage starts at $75 for event cancellation insurance and $102 for event liability insurance.

How Close to My Event Can I Buy Event Insurance?

You can purchase event insurance up to one month prior to your event. However, it’s advisable to purchase coverage as soon as possible, so that you’re protected if anything occurs at any point during the planning process. For example, if a vendor has already taken your deposit and cancels your contract a few months from your event without refunding you, event cancellation insurance will help recoup your costs.

What Is Not Covered by Event Insurance?

Event liability insurance will typically not cover personal injury or property damage related to non-covered activities, such as fireworks. Cancellation insurance also typically will not cover events that are postponed for reasons that you were aware of before purchasing your policy. However, BriteCo is unique in offering a change-of-heart coverage add-on that will allow you to recoup up to 75% of your event investment.

Los Altos History Museum Recommends BriteCo for Your Event

As Los Altos History Museum’s preferred event insurance provider, BriteCo’s offerings meet the museum’s contractual requirements and will give you peace of mind as you move forward with planning your special occasion. Here’s why the museum recommends BriteCo:

  • Policies provide five-day coverage surrounding your event, including protection during set-up and breakdown.
  • There are zero deductibles if you need to make a claim on your policy.
  • Coverage applies beyond the venue to also include event attire, gifts, jewelry, and similar items.
  • Unlike other event insurance providers, BriteCo’s policies cover Covid cancellations and the company offers an add-on option for change-of-heart protection.

Learn more about BriteCo’s coverage and get a quick event insurance quote now.