Advice · 4 min read · Updated 6 November 2026
Marquee event insurance: who is covered for what?
Why insurance is worth thinking about
A marquee event brings together a hired structure, a crew, suppliers, guests and someone else's land or garden. If a guest trips on a guy rope, a storm damages the marquee or a supplier fails to turn up, the question of who pays depends on contracts and insurance. Sorting this out before you book avoids nasty surprises.
The answer is often split between several people. The hire company is responsible for building the marquee properly, the host or organiser for how it is used, other suppliers for their own work, and the landowner for the condition of the site. Knowing where each responsibility sits makes it far easier to check that everything is covered.
Who typically needs what
| Party | Typical cover | What it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Marquee hire company | Public liability, employer's liability | Injury or damage caused by its work and its staff |
| Private host | Wedding or event insurance, or home cover where it applies | Cancellation, supplier failure, the host's own liability |
| Public event organiser | Public liability, often £5m or £10m | Required by councils and many landowners |
| Venue or landowner | Property and public liability | Their land, buildings and own responsibilities |
| Other suppliers | Their own public liability | Caterers, bars, entertainers, generator hire |
Damage to the marquee
Hire contracts usually set out who pays if the marquee, lining, flooring or furniture is damaged while it is on your site. Some suppliers offer a damage waiver for an extra fee. Others expect you to cover damage caused by guests, such as wine on linings or broken furniture.
- Ask what the hire contract says about damage and loss
- Ask whether wind damage is covered if the supplier's instructions were followed
- Check what happens if equipment is stolen overnight
- Keep doors and sides closed in strong wind if the supplier tells you to
- Take photos when the marquee is handed over and when it is taken down
Home insurance and private parties
Some home insurance policies include personal liability that may cover a private party at home, but limits and exclusions vary. Events where you charge guests, sell alcohol or employ people may fall outside home cover. Read the policy or call the insurer before the event rather than assuming you are covered.
Specialist wedding insurance usually covers cancellation for set reasons, supplier failure and sometimes public liability for the couple. Check the extreme weather wording carefully, as policies differ on what counts.
Keep copies of all policies, certificates and contracts together, and share the key contacts with whoever is running the event on the day.
Questions to ask the hire company
- Can you send a copy or summary of your public liability insurance certificate
- What is the level of cover
- Does it cover the build, the event and the take-down
- What happens if the event is cancelled because of forecast high winds
- Who is responsible for damage to my lawn, drive or property during the build
- What do you need from me if a guest is injured
Ask for answers in writing. A reputable supplier will be used to these questions.
Read the cancellation and weather terms
Insurance is only part of the picture. The hire contract decides what happens if you cancel, if the supplier cancels, or if the weather makes the event unsafe.
| Situation | What to check in the contract |
|---|---|
| You cancel months ahead | How much is refundable and by when |
| You cancel close to the date | Whether the full price is due |
| Forecast high winds | Who decides, and whether the date can move |
| Supplier cannot deliver | Refund or replacement terms |
| Event postponed | Whether a new date is offered at the same price |
Compare these terms with your wedding or event insurance, so you know which risks the contract covers, which the policy covers and which neither does. Gaps are most common around weather and changes made late in the planning.
Common gaps to watch
- Assuming the hire company's insurance covers guests' behaviour
- Not checking whether the caterer or bar has its own cover
- Forgetting cover for generator and fuel supply
- Not telling your home insurer about a large paid event
- Booking a public event on council land without the level of cover the council requires
If anything goes wrong on the day, note what happened, take photos and tell the relevant supplier and insurer promptly.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need insurance for a garden party marquee?
It is not a legal requirement for a private host, but it is wise to check whether your home insurance includes personal liability for a party at home and whether any exclusions apply, such as for hired equipment or paid staff. The hire company should have its own public liability cover. For a large or costly event, specialist event insurance can be worth having.
What level of public liability do councils ask for?
Many councils and landowners ask event organisers for public liability cover of £5 million, and some ask for £10 million for larger or higher-risk events. Requirements vary, so check the council's event application guidance and ask the marquee supplier to confirm its own level of cover.
Who pays if the wind damages the marquee?
It depends on the hire contract, the circumstances and whether the supplier's instructions were followed. If the marquee was built correctly and you followed guidance, such as closing doors in high wind, many suppliers bear the risk. If damage was caused by ignoring instructions, the hirer may be liable. Read the terms before signing.
insurance public liability wedding insurance damage
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