A group of British Columbia women who wanted to gather 15 like-minded hobbyists for a small quilting event were ‘shocked’ to learn that they needed to pay $75 for $1 million worth of liability insurance first, according to CTV News.
Gillian Roberts, the organizer of the event, planned to host the gathering at Surrey’s Beecher Place, a quaint venue for weddings, seminars and meetings. When she learned of the insurance cost, however, she took her story to the press.
Instead of being greeted with outrage, however, she learned that liability insurance is required for any event hosted in public venues in most areas of metro Vancouver, including Surrey and Langley – and for good reason.
“We often see this – whether it’s renting a gym for soccer practice or using a room in any type of public facility, it’s definitely common to be asked for liability insurance,” said Chris Westrop, commercial department manager, Park Insurance.
Westrop says that organizers are sometimes “kind of shocked” at the price, which is usually set at a minimum of $100. Otherwise, it’s a common obligation that most clients accept as necessary.
“Honestly, the only thing that surprises me here is that they got away with $1 million, as most venues usually ask for $2 million to $5 million,” he noted.
Eventually, Roberts and her group admitted that even quilting presents its own set of dangers, which can range from sewing machine needle injuries, burns from the hot steam of an iron and possibly even amputated fingers from the steel blades a rotary cutter.
While liability coverage may be an initially unwelcome fee, many eventually learn to appreciate why the city of Vancouver mandates it.
“We live in a day and age where so many people sue for so many reasons that we have to protect ourselves,” Phyllis Dizon, general insurance broker, Atwater Insurance, told CTV News.
