Garden Fete InsuranceProtect Your Outdoor Celebration

If your garden party is purely private (family and friends only), your home insurance may provide some coverage. However, if you're charging entry, fundraising, or opening to the public, you need specialist garden fete insurance. Even for larger private parties, dedicated event insurance is recommended to protect against substantial claims.

Weather insurance for garden fetes typically has specific triggers such as rainfall exceeding 5mm in the 24 hours before or during your event, wind speeds above 40mph, or official weather warnings. The exact thresholds are agreed when you purchase the policy and are measured at the nearest weather station to your venue.

Standard policies include liability for marquee-related injuries but not damage to the marquee itself. You need to add equipment cover (usually £25-30 extra) to protect hired or owned marquees, gazebos, and tents against storm damage, accidental damage, or theft. Check if your marquee hire company requires you to have insurance.

Most garden games like croquet, garden bowling, and treasure hunts are automatically covered. Higher-risk activities like bouncy castles, climbing walls, or motorized rides need to be declared and may incur additional premiums (£20-40). Always check that any external providers have their own insurance and risk assessments.

You can purchase garden fete insurance up to 12 months in advance or on the day of your event. However, buying 2-4 weeks ahead gives you time to meet venue requirements and ensures you get weather cover (some insurers require 7-14 days notice for weather insurance). Early purchase also allows time to adjust coverage if needed.