Christmas illumination insurance and Christmas light switch-on events
As the festive season approaches, Christmas light displays and community illuminations are expected. These light shows bring joy to all ages, and are fantastic fundraisers. They do, however, have public safety concerns and equipment damage risks, which is why comprehensive insurance is required.
Christmas illumination insurance is essential for festive events and Christmas light displays. Event insurance includes public liability insurance, employer’s liability insurance, equipment cover, cancellation cover and bad weather insurance.
At Insure Our Event we want organisers to know why they require insurance and what insurance they should have in place, as well as the factors that will influence the cost of the cover.
Why Do Christmas Light Display Organisers Need Insurance?
Insurance protects the finances of organisers. When running a Christmas event that employs staff or volunteers, insurance is mandated by law. Public liability is necessary to cover any slips, trips or falls. Each part of an insurance policy covers separate risks when can form a claim.
- Public Liability insurance: – Whenever crowds gather, there is a risk of accident and injuries. Organisers can easily be found liable for these incidents, and will then need to cover the medical expenses and legal fees of the injured party. Public liability insurance for large event is recommended to be £5 million to £10 million.
- Employee Liability insurance: – If you have employees, temporary staff, volunteers or helpers working at your event, you’ll need Employers’ Liability Insurance, as demanded by law.
- Equipment insurance: – If you are hiring equipment or want the cost of your equipment cover in case of damage or theft, then equipment insurance is required. Equipment is the essential component of Christmas, illuminations and equipment insurance will cover your equipment for four days before the event incase of any costly damage during setup.
- Cancellation insurance: – Insure Our Event can cover the cost of deposits and hires if your Christmas display is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.
- Money cover: – Any money held at the event, or transported from the event, will need to be insured. Events can generate large amounts of cash reserves, and insurance is required to cover theft, loss or destruction of cash.
- Bad Weather cover: – Christmas illumination and light displays will mostly take place outside, so bad weather cover is recommended. This insurance policy covers the cost of cancellation and postponement in the case of adverse weather preventing events from taking place.
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What needs to be included in a Christmas illumination Risk Assessment?
A risk assessment is essential when placing insurance. A risk assessment shows the organiser has identified and analysed any potential risks that could happen at your event.
Insure Our Event provides risk assessment resources as well as a risk assessment template for customers. Here are some of the unique risks Christmas illumination event organisers should be including:
- Electrical malfunctions – Christmas illumination products, however large or small, carry an electrical hazard. More than 1 in 40 (2.7%) people have suffered an electric shock due to badly wired Christmas lights. Protect your staff and visitors with regular checks and safety signage.
- Signage and fencing – Ensure all safety precautions are displayed, and make sure fencing or border is in place to deter visitors from touching or going near the illuminations.
- Clear walkways of ice and snow – It’s a common slip hazard, as Nearly a third (32%) of people have fallen on ice
- Emergency services access – Ensure there is nothing blocking emergency services from entering the site. 8% of those aged 16-24 have had to make a trip to A&E during the festive season
- Christmas tree safety – Christmas trees are known for dropping branches, and large trees can drop particularly heavy branches. Ensure your illuminated Christmas tree has a safety perimeter in place. Also ensure all staff are properly trained in using ladders and clippers. Interestingly, every year 1,000 people are injured by their Christmas tree, usually while fixing decorations to the higher branches.
- Review your event – Walk around your Christmas illuminations event and assess any risks which maybe present. This could be structures such as stages, gazebos, stallholder sheds, lights, displays, or the Christmas tree. It could be rubbish disposal areas or water hazards. Be aware of possible overcrowding and bottlenecks at walkways. Ensure all your safety measures are documented.
*Stats provided by the national accident helpline.
How much does Christmas illumination insurance cost?
Christmas illumination insurance and Christmas light display insurance can cost anything from £35 to £200 or more depending on the size and scale of the event. At Insure Our Event we offer policies at £25 because of our lower available public liability limits and our relationship with event insurers.
There are many factors that can impact the cost of a Christmas illumination insurance cost:
- The size of the display and the number of lights as well as the area covered.
- The location of the event.
- The size of the display and the type of illuminations.
- The capacity of the event
- The duration of the event as well as the set up and take down
- The insurance policies required
To receive a free instant quote for your Christmas illumination insurance, fill out Insure Our Event’s quote form here.
How to get the best price on Christmas Insurance
To get the best price on your Christmas insurance, be it Christmas illumination insurance, Christmas light displays or Christmas festivals – is to use Insure Our Event.
Comparison sites will show a variety of insurance options, because of the differing insurers. However small residential displays do not require the same level of cover as large city centre displays. It’s why Insure Our Event’s quote form is the best option – it allows customers to tailor their insurance to their needs – it’s quick and easy and provides an accurate quote for you to compare.
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