4 Things That Could Go Wrong at Your Next Family Gathering

When you’re planning a birthday party, graduation celebration, family reunion or holiday gathering, you want everything to go perfectly. Hopefully, the worst thing that happens is that a rain shower shifts your celebration indoors. 

But if the unexpected happens, you may wonder if you need extra insurance for events. Here’s how you can keep your family protected.

1. Someone Damages the House

Maybe a grill sends up a spark that causes a fire, an off-the-mark football pass crashes through your bay window or your teen’s graduation party gets out of control and your floors get damaged.

In cases like these, you’ll need to check your homeowners insurance to see what’s covered. Most policies cover accidents and damage due to vandalism (subject to policy conditions).

1. Something Valuable Gets Broken or Stolen

You’d like to think you can trust your guests in your home, but what if you discover that an expensive piece of art is damaged or some heirloom jewelry is missing?

Your homeowners insurance generally covers items in your home, but it may have limits for valuables. It’s a good idea to list your valuables and how much they are worth and review your list with your insurance agent. High-value items may be a good fit for scheduled coverage beyond what your home policy includes.

1. Someone Gets Hurt

Accidents happen. Maybe your aunt slips and falls on your sidewalk, your cousin steps on your dog and gets bitten or a child gets injured in the bouncy house you rented.

Most homeowners insurance policies provide some coverage for medical expenses for people outside of your family, and your policy may include personal liability coverage. However, it’s easy for medical expenses to add up, so you may also want to have coverage under an umbrella insurance policy. Umbrella insurance covers you when your homeowners policy reaches its limit of liability protection. If medical bills are above your limit, or a guest sues you because of their injury, your umbrella insurance can help protect you. 

1. Someone Drinks Too Much and Gets in an Accident

You may have a family member who overindulges at your party and gets behind the wheel. If they injure someone, that person could sue you for serving alcohol. 

Your homeowners insurance may provide some coverage. However, this is another situation where an umbrella insurance policy might be a good idea. That way, you have protection against high expenses that could wipe out your savings and investments.

Make Sure You’re Covered for Your Next Party

It’s nice to focus on the fun when you’re planning a family gathering, but it’s crucial to make sure you’re protected if something goes wrong. Are you asking yourself, “Do I need liability insurance for a private party?” If so, it might be time to review your coverage with a Farm Bureau agent.