There are millions are parties every year in the United States, for Super Bowls, Memorial Day, Birthdays, March Madness and more. The trouble is most party hosts do not know what their liability is if someone gets hurt at their house or worse yet gets in an alcohol related accident.
According to a Trusted Choice Survey, of the over 28 million homeowners who threw a Super Bowl party over 21 million did not have a Personal Umbrella Policy. Not having this insurance leaves the party hosts subject to lawsuits and total financial ruin. In over 30 US States, party hosts can be held personally liable if someone leaves their party and is involved in an alcohol related accident. A personal umbrella policy will provide an extra $1 million of coverage in additional to a traditional homeowners policy. Most people do not realize the extra coverage only cost about $100 - $200 per year. This is small price to pay compared to a party guest leaving intoxicated and getting into a wreck causing hundreds of thousands of dollars in injuries and damages. Under a traditional policy with $100,000 of coverage, the homeowner would be personally liable for the additional costs. If the guest or the person they hit is paralyzed and incurs $400,000 of expenses, the homeowner is on the hook for the additional $300,000 out of their pocket. This would obviously bankrupt most homeowners.
The following states have social host legal statutes or court cases that hold homeowners responsible: Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.
We have not found a case or precedence from the following states regarding social host legal statutes or court cases that hold homeowners responsible: Alaska, Arkansas, California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, Oklahoma, Rhode island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
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Here some tips to better control your party and manage your risk while hosting a party:
How to prevent holiday party accidents and protect yourself or your business:
· Meet with an insurance agent before hosting a party to understand your state’s host liability laws, and to make sure you’re properly insured.
· Limit your guest list to your close friends and family.
· Host your party at a restaurant or bar that has a liquor license, rather than in a home or office.
· Provide filling food (breads and other starchy foods) for guests and non-alcoholic drinks
· Schedule entertainment or activities that do not involve alcohol.
· Arrange transportation or sleeping arrangements for those who should not drive.
· Stop serving alcohol one hour before the party is scheduled to end and offer guests coffee throughout the party.
· Do not serve guests who are visibly intoxicated.
· Consider collecting keys when your guests arrive to better control them leaving intoxicated
· Review your insurance policy with your agent before the event to ensure that you have the proper liability coverage.
Once again, please review your individual state regulations and laws as they vary widely on interpretations especially if you live in Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennslyvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.
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