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Event Cancellation Insurance

Help cover yourself for financial loss due to event cancellation, postponement or non-appearance of a headline act.

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What if your event had to be cancelled?

Despite our best efforts, sometimes the show can’t go on, and event has to be cancelled or postponed. As an event organiser, this can be stressful – and expensive. 

Unexpectedly having to cancel or postpone an event can have financial consequences beyond loss of profit. Consider the impact of ticket reimbursements, paying for catering and other expenses that can’t be recovered, or even the cost of having to change venues at the last minute.

Event Cancellation Insurance can also help cover events which are delayed or postponed due to circumstances beyond the organisers’ control. 

Event cancellation insurance aims to offer peace of mind, with cover for unforeseen circumstances such as the non-appearance of a headline act, extreme weather, power failures, public transport failures and civil unrest.

At Marsh, our brokers have more than 75 years of combined experience in arranging insurance for events. Whether you’re organising a national tour, festival or sporting event, our brokers can help guide you through the options. 

With tailored event cancellation insurance, if the show can’t go on, you can be covered for a wide range of circumstances which could cancel or postpone your event.

What is covered by event cancellation insurance?

selected option

Tailored insurance

Your event is unique. Your insurance cover should be tailored to you. Here are some of the options you can choose for event cancellation insurance.

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Impossible to proceed

Cover for when there is a bump in or the event has started, but it is too dangerous to proceed. For example, a bushfire smoke interrupting a cricket match or lightning during set-up for an outdoor festival.

Catastrophic non-appearance

This covers situations where a significant proportion of your attendees can’t get to your event, for example, an airline strike or public transportation disruption.

Civil commotion

Get insurance for disruption or cancellation of your event due to civil commotion, such as protests, police action, or even a gas leak preventing access to your venue.

Terrorism

This policy covers event cancellation due to a terrorist act or threat within a particular time or distance of your event taking place.

Non-appearance

The stage is set, the crowds are gathering – but your star act doesn’t appear. Non-appearance event cancellation insurance covers your event if the headline act can’t show up. 

Venue and equipment damage

Cover for if the venue or equipment is damaged and your event can’t go ahead. For example, the sprinkler system damages the conference room on the day of your event, and no other venue is available.

General exclusions

Policy inclusions, excesses and coverage limits can vary between different insurers and policies. Here are some examples of what typically isn’t covered by events cancellation insurance.

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Breach of contract

Event cancellation due to a breach of contract between the event organisers and another party is not covered.

Lack of support or sales

Lack of support for an event or slow ticket sales aren’t covered by insurance.

Financial failure

Loss caused by financial failure or business failure of the event organisers or a business associated with organising the event isn’t covered.

Civil war

Civil war (actual or threatened) is not covered by insurance. If you think your event location may be affected by this, talk to your broker. 

Poor preparations

It’s up to you to ensure your event runs smoothly. Event cancellation due to failure to prepare properly, such as not paying a final bill or forgetting to order the stage, isn’t covered by insurance.

Communicable diseases

Event cancellation or postponement due to communicable diseases like Covid-19 aren’t covered. This includes pandemics or if the main act cancels their appearance due to sickness.

Key product highlights

Nominated loss adjuster

Not sure your event can go ahead? A nominated loss adjuster can guide you through the process and approve costs to help prevent cancellation.

Tailored to you

Our specialist brokers can tailor your event cancellation policy to the size of your event, your budget, risks, and specific needs.

Event cancellation insurance fictional example

Anneke is organising an in-house conference for the corporate company she works for, which is headquartered in Brisbane. Many of the delegates and one of the keynote speakers will be travelling from Sydney to the conference. Anneke has pre-booked accommodation for the keynote speaker; she’s also hired audio equipment and contracted a catering company to provide lunch and afternoon tea. 

The day before the event, when many of the delegates and the keynote speaker plan to fly to Brisbane, there is a strike at Sydney Airport. Planes are grounded, and there are travel delays and cancellations. Because a significant number of the conference attendees and the keynote speaker can no longer make it to the conference in time, Anneke is forced to postpone the conference. Fortunately, event cancellation insurance covers the cost of the caterer’s non-refundable deposit, the cost of re-booking the accommodation, and the cost of the audio equipment hire.

Why use a broker?

Choosing business insurance means navigating through products, coverages and policy terminology – with a sales pitch as your only guide. An experienced broker can spot your unique set of risks, match you to the right choice, and advocate for you on price.

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Why Marsh?

Why should you choose Marsh to arrange your insurance solutions?

In business, we've got your back

From small community events to major festivals, the events insurance team at Marsh has a combined 75+ years of experience supporting businesses in Australia. You’ll be paired with an experienced broker to get to know your needs and circumstances – and answer all your questions. 

Your local, world-leading broker

Marsh is a world-leading insurance broker with a national network of expert, specialist brokers. When you choose Marsh, you’re choosing tailored coverage backed by extensive industry expertise and the latest global and Australian market insights. 

Claims support

Insurance claims can be overwhelming, especially when your time is already stretched. Stay focused on what you do best, and let Marsh help take the load off. We can arrange a loss adjuster to guide you – and if the show really can’t go on, we can manage claims on your behalf. 

Have a small event and need public liability insurance quickly?

We have the solution for you. If your one-off event has under 1,000 attendees, you can now click and buy a single day public liability insurance solution online.

Buy online now

Related insurance solutions

Public liability

Protect your business, staff, and patrons with public liability cover for events. 

Learn more

Voluntary workers

Workers’ compensation insurance covers festival and event volunteers in the case of accidental injury while volunteering at an event.

Learn more

Equipment hire

Insurance cover for hired equipment, such as lighting, audio equipment and structures like stages.

Learn more

Frequently asked questions

You can insure your event for cost and expenses only or for gross revenue (your profits as well as costs). Your insured limit depends on the event budget, the type of event and the risks involved. 

The location and timing can also impact the cost of your event cancellation insurance. For example, if you’re holding an outdoor festival near a river that often floods, or it’s going to be held during cyclone season, you may not be able to get cover, or your premiums may be higher. Our brokers can help you access decades of data so you can make a more informed a decision; moving your event by a few kilometres, or a few weeks, could save you hassle and money. 

You’re covered for the ascertained net loss. This means that if your event is cancelled due to an insurable issue, you’ll get a scaled refund based on the portion that was cancelled rather than the full amount. 

For example, if your event is cancelled on its second day, you won’t be able to recoup costs for security services and catering used on the first day. 

Yes, temporary structures can be covered by event cancellation insurance, provided they are fit for purpose and can withstand expected weather conditions and up to 50km/p/h winds.

Minimum thresholds apply, and you’re expected to have provisions for inclement weather – which means you won’t get insurance coverage for a little bit of drizzle at a garden party. An insurable weather event means that the weather has created conditions that would make it dangerous to proceed with your event. This can include winds of more than 50 km/p/h, bushfire smoke, which could cause serious health issues, or an electrical storm, which could affect outdoor audio equipment.

Marsh Advantage Insurance Pty Ltd (ABN 31 081 358 303, AFSL 238369) (“Marsh”) arranges the general insurance (i.e. not the Discretionary Trust Arrangement) and is not the insurer. This page contains general information and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. For full details of the terms, conditions and limitations of the covers, refer to the specific policy wordings and/or Product Disclosure Statements available from Marsh on request. Marsh makes no representation or warranty concerning the application of policy wordings or the financial condition or solvency of insurers or re-insurers. Marsh makes no assurances regarding the availability, cost, or terms of insurance coverage. Any statements concerning actuarial, tax, accounting, or legal matters are based solely on our experience as insurance brokers and risk consultants and are not to be relied upon as actuarial, accounting, tax, or legal advice, for which you should consult your own professional advisors. The Discretionary Trust Arrangement is issued by the Trustee, JLT Group Services Pty Ltd (ABN 26 004 485 214, AFSL 417964) (“JGS”). Any advice or dealing in relation to the Discretionary Trust Arrangement is provided by JLT Risk Solutions Pty Ltd (ABN 69 009 098 864, AFSL 226 827) (“JLT”). JGS and JLT are businesses of Marsh McLennan. The cover provided by the Discretionary Trust Arrangement is subject to the Trustee’s discretion and/or the relevant policy terms, conditions and exclusions.

LCPA 24/494