What You Need to Know About Insurance and Liability for Your Party

When you’re planning a party, you’re probably most concerned about making sure your guests have a good time. That usually means you’re going to concentrate on things like entertainment or food. But you do need to pay attention to the most important job of a party host. Making sure that everyone is safe. The vast majority of parties come off without a hitch, but accidents do happen occasionally and you need to make sure you’re not liable in the event something does go wrong. NY Party Works wants you to know what’s important about insurance and liability. And if you’re hosting a party we’ve got you covered. NY Party Works has strong insurance coverage and we have permits throughout the northeast.

Making Sure You’re Covered in Case of Personal Injury

One area that often needs to be discussed in terms of party liability are inflatables. Children do get hurt from time to time playing in attractions like “bounce houses.”  According to the blog of the Virginia based law firm Allen and Allen, many insurance companies don’t insure inflatables and list them as an exclusion in a liability policy. They advise requiring any party rental company to produce their certificate of insurance in order to show that they have adequate coverage.

Liability Issues with Young Party Guests

Another issue is understanding that young children may not have the legal capacity to understand any risks their undertaking. Some states have minimum ages you must reach before you have capacity to understand risks. Others, like New York, leave it up to courts to determine if the child has capacity, according to lawyers.com.

Whether you rent one of our inflatables or you want to protect yourself from liability no matter what the event is, you won’t have to worry as much if you rent from NY Party Works. That’s because we carry $6 million in insurance. If you’re planning a corporate event, we can list your company as additionally insured. We are also fully licensed and have permits in New York City, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, which is mandatory. We’ve done the legwork for you so you don’t have to worry about liability.

Hosts are Responsible for Underage Drinking

Something all party hosts should be aware of that can cause liability concerns alcohol. Party hosts need to know that they can be held responsible both criminally and in civil court if they serve alcohol to a minor at their event. In a majority of states, including New York, the minimum drinking age is 21.

Many localities have enacted social host laws to prevent underage drinking. Nassau County’s law, for example, says “It shall be unlawful for any person over the age of eighteen who owns, rents, or otherwise controls a private residence, to knowingly allow the consumption of alcohol or alcoholic beverages by any minor on such premises or to fail to take reasonable corrective action upon learning of the consumption of alcohol or alcoholic beverages by any minor on such premises.”

Among the corrective actions hosts can take if they see underage drinking is making immediate demand that the minor stop drinking and reporting the matter to law enforcement. Penalties range from fines to imprisonment for multiple offenses and if you’re the party host this means you will be liable if there is underage drinking. This is not something insurance will protect you from, so you need to stay on top of what’s going on at your party.

NY Party Works Gives You Insurance Coverage and Peace of Mind

We hope you have a better understanding of the potential liabilities that can come up if you’re holding a party or event.  Because NY Party Works has the permits and insurance you need, we can give you peace of mind. So why not go with the party professionals? Contact NY Party Works today.