Backyard Gatherings and Home Insurance

The weather is cool, but COVID-19 does not appear to be moving. Many individuals wish to maintain contact with friends and family during the holiday season while adhering to safety precautions such as social distancing. Many individuals have turned to spending time together in parks and backyards across the nation. Similar to entertaining a visitor in your home, hosting in your backyard can pose liability hazards.

Insurance Obligations For Backyard Gatherings

Hosting is always fraught with risk and liability. If someone is injured on your property or as a result of their visit (such as drunk driving), you could be held liable for all associated costs and penalties. Your guests may never enter your home or even come within a few feet of you. However, since they are on your property, you may be exposed to the following liabilities:

• Liquor liability
• Environment
• Fire
• Pets
• Attractive nuisances
• You should strongly consider purchasing an umbrella policy for additional liability coverage.

Liquor Liability

Accident risk is always increased by alcohol consumption. In many states, if you serve alcoholic beverages, you are liable for any damages or injuries that occur as a result. This includes situations in which a drunk person falls on your property or drives home intoxicated and causes an accident. If your friend consumes alcohol at your backyard party and then causes an accident on the way home, you could be held partially or entirely liable.

Here Are Some Precautions to Take When Serving Alcohol:

• If you are holding an event, discuss adding liquor liability coverage for the day of the event with your homeowner's insurance provider. This is supplemental insurance with particular coverage limitations for alcohol-related incidents.
• When choosing a bartender for your event, inquire about their insurance coverage. Reputable businesses and bartenders will be able to provide insurance documentation.
• Never permit a drunk driver on the road. Take the keys of intoxicated guests and call them an Uber/Lyft to take them home.

Environment

In order to host a backyard celebration, you must also prepare the surroundings. You will want to do all possible to ensure the safety of your guests:

• Fix broken pavers
• Install safe handrails on stairways.
• Remove any loose or jagged stones
• Do not host if ice is present.
• Enclosed pools and other tempting nuisances with a fence.

You are liable if someone is injured on your property. Your homeowner's liability would likely contribute to covering these costs up to your limitations. In addition to medical expenditures and doctor's bills, these expenses may also include recurring physical therapy costs, pain, suffering, etc. Depending on the severity, these costs might build up quickly and potentially exceed your homeowner's insurance limitations. Consequently, you may also choose to investigate umbrella insurance, which can provide additional liability coverage with larger limits.