What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
Once we place a bid our customer will contact us and over the course of a few messages we iron out the specific needs for their event. A deposit for services is placed to book the date. We touch base again close to the date of the event. We will arrive early and set up, assessing if any last minute purchases or adjustments need to be made. Payment is due at the time of service, less any deposits placed previously.
What types of customers have you worked with?
I have regularly tended bar at the Holland Performing Art Center, The Orpheum Theatre, and have tended bar at parties for people like Garth Brooks, the cast of Sons of Anarchy, Warren Buffett, and Tommy Frasier, Larry the Cable Guy, Eli and Peyton Manning.
What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?
I highly recommend event insurance. It covers things you probably never even thought could be covered for a nominal fee. Including the bar. I found this example provided on the RVNA insurance website (I am not endorsing any insurance company over another). This is long but worth the read.
Host Liquor Liability is often included with Event Liability Policies at no additional charge.
Host Liquor Liability Insurance provides protection for the event holder against bodily injury or property damage suits brought by parties whose injuries arise from the actions of an intoxicated event guest. Host Liquor Liability coverage applies only if there is no transfer of money for alcohol or service/product packages that include alcohol. If there is any money changing hands and alcohol is served, Host Liquor Liability coverage does not apply, only Liquor Liability coverage will provide the proper protection.
To help better understand what Host Liquor Liability might cover, we have created a real-life claim scenario for you.
Real-Life Claim Scenario:
Emily and Charlie hosted a 20th anniversary party with a buffet dinner and an open bar. The night was a huge success. The next morning, Emily and Charlie discovered that an invited guest’s plus one, Matt, hit a 20-year-old woman while she was in a crosswalk, on his way home from the party. He was intoxicated at the time. The victim required multiple surgeries and was left with a permanent disability. She sued the caterer, the driver, Matt, and the event holders, Emily and Charlie, for contributing to Matt’s intoxication. Medical expenses and loss of future earning power were estimated at more than $1 Million. Megan and Scott were thrilled to discover that their Event Liability Insurance included Host Liquor Liability coverage.
When they proceeded to trial, the insurance company provided a top defense attorney. In the end, the event holders were found partially responsible. Matt’s auto policy paid for his portion of $493,000 and Emily and Charlie’s Event Liability Insurance, which included Host Liquor Liability, paid $257,000 on their behalf.
Estimated cost with Host Liquor Liability: $100
Estimated cost with NO Host Liquor Liability: $257,000
What is Liquor Liability?
Liquor Liability Insurance is an optional coverage available when purchasing Event Liability Insurance. Liquor Liability Insurance provides coverage and defense for an event holder who charges for alcohol and is sued for bodily injury or property damage caused by intoxicated event guests. If there is any money changing hands and alcohol is served, Liquor Liability coverage provides the proper protection. It also provides coverage if the event holder violates any statute, ordinance or regulation relating to the sale, gift, distribution or use of alcoholic beverages.
Still a little fuzzy on the difference between Host Liquor Liability and Liquor Liability? Take a look at our real-life claim scenario.
Real-Life Claim Scenario:
A dog club hosted an auction to raise money for their annual dog show. Each ticket sold for $50 and included appetizers, dinner, dessert, and two glasses of wine. Everything went according to plan, until an intoxicated guest fell off the second floor balcony and suffered a severe brain injury.
The victim’s family sued the the dog club (event holder) for current and future medical costs. The court determined that although the guest had consumed alcohol before arriving, the two glasses of wine he drank at the event contributed to his intoxication and the resulting accident. The judgment against the dog club was $817,000. Unfortunately, the nonprofit organization only had Host Liquor Liability coverage, which did not apply since they sold tickets to the event, and the ticket purchase included two drink tickets. They should have purchased Liquor Liability coverage.
Estimated cost with Liquor Liability: $100
Estimated cost with NO Liquor Liability: $817,000
