Charity Event Insurance UK 2025
Complete guide to insurance for charity fundraisers, non-profit fetes, and volunteer-run events. Public liability cover from £66.
Charity Event Insurance Essentials
- £5 million public liability cover required for most charity events
- From £66 for small fundraising fetes
- Volunteer protection - covers unpaid helpers
- Trustee liability considerations for registered charities
Charity event insurance is essential village fete insurance protection for non-profit fundraising events across the UK. Whether your registered charity, community group, or volunteers are organizing a fundraising fete, sponsored walk, or charity gala, proper insurance protects both your organization and the individuals running the event.
Do Charities Need Separate Event Insurance?
Yes, absolutely. While your charity may have general public liability insurance, this typically covers office operations and regular activities - not one-off fundraising events. Charity fetes, fairs, and fundraisers need dedicated village fete insurance coverage.
Critical for Charity Trustees
Charity trustees have legal duties under the Charities Act 2011. Running uninsured events could be considered a breach of fiduciary duty and gross negligence. Without insurance, trustees face personal liability for claims.
The Charity Commission requires charities to manage risks responsibly. Insurance demonstrates proper governance.
Types of Charity Events Covered
Charity event insurance covers a wide range of fundraising activities. Whether you're organizing traditional fetes or modern fundraisers, village fete insurance providers offer specialized coverage:
Traditional Fundraisers
- • Charity fetes and summer fairs
- • Coffee mornings and bake sales
- • Jumble sales and car boot sales
- • Quiz nights and raffles
- • Church hall fundraisers
- • Charity auctions
Active Fundraisers
- • Sponsored walks and runs
- • Fun runs and marathons
- • Charity cycles and bike rides
- • Charity concerts and performances
- • Charity balls and galas
- • Sporting challenges
Charity Event Insurance Costs
Pricing for charity event insurance is similar to standard village fete insurance. Many providers offer charity discounts of 5-10%:
| Event Size | Standard Rate | Charity Discount |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 100) | £66-£85 | £62-£80 |
| Medium (100-500) | £132-£165 | £125-£155 |
| Large (500+) | £264-£336 | £250-£315 |
Registered Charities: Provide your charity number when getting quotes. Many insurers offer automatic discounts for registered charities (England & Wales: Charity Commission number, Scotland: OSCR number).
Volunteer Coverage
One crucial aspect of charity event insurance is volunteer protection. Unlike paid staff covered by employer's liability insurance, volunteers need specific coverage:
What Volunteer Coverage Includes:
- Personal Accident Cover: If volunteers are injured while helping at your event
- Public Liability: Protects volunteers if they accidentally cause injury or damage
- Personal Liability: Covers volunteers against claims from their actions during the event
- Legal Defense: Covers legal costs if volunteers are named in claims
Standard village fete insurance policies include volunteer coverage automatically. Ensure your policy specifies volunteer protection to avoid coverage gaps.
Charity Trustee Responsibilities
If you're a charity trustee organizing fundraising events, you have legal obligations under UK charity law:
1. Duty of Care
Trustees must take reasonable steps to protect beneficiaries, volunteers, and the public. This includes obtaining appropriate insurance for events. Running uninsured events could breach this duty.
2. Duty to Protect Charity Assets
Trustees must safeguard charity funds. Without insurance, a single claim could devastate your charity's finances. Insurance premiums (£66-£336) are a responsible use of charitable funds compared to potential claim costs (£10,000-£50,000+).
3. Personal Liability
Charity trustees can be held personally liable for losses caused by negligence or mismanagement. Running uninsured events that result in claims could make trustees personally responsible for compensation.
Special Considerations for Charity Events
Alcohol at Fundraising Events
Many charity fundraisers include bars or licensed areas. Standard insurance often excludes alcohol sales. Add alcohol liability cover (£40-£60) if serving or selling alcohol.
Legal note: You'll need a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) from your local authority for alcohol sales.
Charity Commission Compliance
The Charity Commission expects charities to manage risks appropriately. Keep insurance certificates with your charity's records. Include insurance costs in event budgets and report them in annual returns.
Annual Charity Event Insurance
If your charity runs multiple fundraising events throughout the year, consider annual event insurance:
Per-Event vs. Annual Cover:
Per-Event Insurance
- • Best for: 1-2 events per year
- • £66-£336 per event
- • Flexibility to skip years
- • Each event needs separate quote
Annual Policy
- • Best for: 3+ events per year
- • £280-£450 per year
- • Covers unlimited events
- • Saves admin time
Get Charity Event Insurance Quote
Compare village fete insurance quotes from specialist providers. Instant pricing for charity fundraisers with potential charity discounts available.
Key Takeaways
- • Charity event insurance is essential for trustee protection and Charity Commission compliance
- • Costs from £66 per event, with 5-10% charity discounts available
- • Volunteer coverage included in standard policies
- • Annual policies save money if running 3+ events per year
- • Add alcohol liability if serving drinks (£40-£60 extra)