For more on this part of the insurance industry:
Exhibitions insurance is a type of cover designed to safeguard people or businesses that run, organise or take part in exhibitions and trade shows. These events may be in the form of:
The UK’s deep exhibition roots trace back to The Great Exhibition of 1851. This welcomed over six million visitors and set the stage for today’s vibrant event culture.
Exhibits have evolved since then, and insurance has become essential to keep them protected and thriving.
If an art fair in Bristol goes ahead and a light fitting falls, injuring a visitor, the organiser could face a legal claim. If other exhibitors pull out, it may lead to lost income and refunds.
Without public liability insurance for exhibitions, these costs fall back on the organiser. With it, the event stands a better chance of carrying on safely and professionally.
Hybrid events are becoming common, pushing organisers to add digital risks to public liability policies.
More exhibitions are using rented audiovisual (AV) setups. This can lead to higher claims under property damage insurance for exhibitions.
Temporary spaces like pop-ups and marquees now require tailored event organiser liability insurance for added protection.
Alongside these shifts, more issues are occurring. These include:
event cancellations rising: bad weather and strikes can trigger claims under exhibitions insurance policies
cyber threats growing: online bookings and virtual access for these events increase the risk of data breaches
crowd control claims: tighter post-COVID rules mean more liability for poor safety planning
Contract disputes and rising tensions at public events have made legal and terrorism cover more critical. Brokers should review supplier agreements and offer exhibitors insurance with added legal protection.
For high-profile or sensitive shows, trade show insurance should also include optional terrorism cover.
Anyone involved in setting up, running or showing work at an exhibition needs insurance. Common stakeholders include:
If paid or unpaid help is involved, employer’s liability insurance for exhibitions may also be legally required.
For events with exhibitions, cover usually includes public liability, cancellation and protection for damaged or stolen items.
Here are the other options organisers and exhibitors should consider:
These exhibitions insurance policies help manage different hazards depending on the type, size and location of the event.
This shields the exhibitor if they’re held legally responsible for injury or damage. It may form part of exhibitions insurance to cover costs if someone makes a claim.
An exhibitor fee is the amount paid to secure space at an event. Some policies may cover this fee if the event is cancelled for reasons outside the exhibitor’s control.
After the event (ATE) insurance helps cover legal costs if a claim is made after the exhibition ends. It's often used when disputes or injury claims arise weeks or months after the event.
This type of cover isn’t always included in standard exhibitions insurance, so brokers should ask if it’s needed.
It’s especially useful for organisers or exhibitors involved in high-risk or large-scale public events.
To better protect artwork in exhibitions, follow these clear steps that reduce risk and support claims:
Organisers and exhibitors can give the artwork the best possible protection by applying this strategy.
