Commercial general liability
Commercial general liability for qualifying event operations, premises, attendees, and temporary activities.
Special Event Insurance
Commercial General Liability
for Special Events
Greenwood General gives retail agents and brokers wholesale market access to affordable Commercial General Liability coverage for eligible one-time and short-duration events, including weddings, festivals, trade shows, workshops, performances, and seasonal gatherings, subject to underwriting.
Wholesale Special Event Insurance
Fast liability solutions for temporary events
As a wholesale MGA, Greenwood General gives retail insurance agents and commercial brokers access to special event insurance markets for eligible educational, cultural, social, seasonal, and entertainment events. Coverage centers on short-term commercial general liability with a clear submission path and affordable minimum premiums. Explore all of our wholesale commercial insurance markets.
✓Educational classes and workshops
✓Festivals and cultural events
✓Weddings and receptions
✓Trade shows and conventions
✓Holiday and seasonal events
✓Plays, shows, and performances
Coverage Highlights
Commercial general liability for event exposures
Coverage responds to third-party bodily injury and property damage claims arising from eligible events, on behalf of qualifying organizers, hosts, and sponsors.
$1M / $2M limits
Standard limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate are available for eligible events.
Events up to five days
Coverage can accommodate qualifying events lasting up to five event days.
Setup and teardown
Eligible setup and teardown periods may be included as part of the event coverage term.
Additional insured requests
Venue owners, municipalities, sponsors, and other parties may be added when approved by underwriting.
Additional options
Other event-specific coverage options may be available based on the venue, activities, and alcohol exposure.
Accepted Event Classes
Broad appetite for community and private events
Eligible event types range from small educational gatherings to weddings, festivals, and public performances. Underwriting reviews attendance, activities, security, alcohol, and venue controls.
Educational & business events
- Educational classes
- Lectures and workshops
- Trade shows
- Conventions
- Professional meetings
Social & entertainment events
- Weddings and rehearsals
- Receptions and luncheons
- Festivals and cultural events
- Holiday and seasonal events
- Plays, shows, and dinner theater
Underwriting Guidelines
What underwriting reviews for a special event
The more complete the event details, the faster the account can be routed and reviewed — the fastest path to a bindable quote.
Event type and activities
Describe all performances, demonstrations, games, vendors, exhibitors, and participant activities.
Attendance and venue
Provide expected attendance, indoor or outdoor venue details, temporary structures, and any municipal permit requirements.
Event dates and duration
Include setup, event, and teardown dates so the full exposure period can be evaluated.
Alcohol exposure
Disclose whether alcohol is sold, served, provided by a vendor, or supplied by attendees.
Security and crowd controls
Explain security staffing, barriers, emergency procedures, ticketing, and crowd-management plans.
Contracts and certificates
Attach venue agreements and note any additional insured, certificate of insurance, or waiver requirements.
Submission Requirements
How to submit a special event risk
Send a clean file with the event details, dates, attendance, activities, venue information, and coverage requirements.
Complete the application
Provide the event organizer, event type, venue, dates, attendance, and requested limits.
Describe activities
List entertainment, demonstrations, vendors, equipment, alcohol, and any higher-hazard features.
Attach contracts
Include venue contracts and certificate requirements, especially additional insured wording.
Submit for review
Send the completed file through Greenwood General's online submission portal.
Broker FAQs
Special event insurance FAQs
Straight answers to common questions brokers ask before submitting an event.
What types of events are eligible?
Eligible risks may include weddings, receptions, educational classes, workshops, festivals, cultural events, trade shows, conventions, plays, performances, and seasonal events, subject to underwriting.
Are weddings and receptions eligible?
Yes. Weddings, rehearsals, receptions, and luncheons may be eligible, subject to attendance, venue, alcohol exposure, and underwriting review.
Are festivals, trade shows, and conventions eligible?
Festivals, cultural events, trade shows, conventions, and professional meetings may be eligible, subject to activities, attendance, and underwriting review.
Are nonprofit and community events eligible?
Community, educational, cultural, and similar events may be considered, subject to event type, activities, attendance, and underwriting review.
What is the minimum premium?
Minimum premiums may start at $65 for qualifying events. Final pricing depends on event type, attendance, venue, duration, and activities.
What liability limits are available?
Standard Commercial General Liability limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate are available for eligible risks.
How long can the event last?
Coverage is available for qualifying events lasting up to five event days, subject to underwriting.
Are setup and teardown covered?
Eligible setup and teardown periods may be included when disclosed and approved by underwriting.
Can the venue be added as an additional insured?
Venue owners, municipalities, sponsors, and other parties may be added as additional insureds when approved and properly listed in the submission.
Is alcohol exposure or liquor liability considered?
Alcohol exposure must be disclosed and is reviewed by underwriting. Additional event-specific options related to alcohol may be available for eligible events, subject to underwriting.
What states are available for special event insurance?
The special event program is currently available in Arizona, California, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Nevada, Oklahoma, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Washington, subject to class and underwriting guidelines.
What should a broker submit for a special event quote?
Submit the event organizer, event type, venue, dates including setup and teardown, expected attendance, activities, alcohol details, requested limits, and any venue contracts or additional insured requirements.
Built for Brokers
Have an event ready to quote?
Send it to Greenwood General for access to affordable event liability options and a straightforward submission process — or contact underwriting to confirm eligibility.