Peace of Mind For Your Special Day

Sharon Rumsey  0:00  
What if this happens? wonder what would happen if? Gosh, I'm so worried about? Do you ask yourself these questions or struggle with these thoughts when you think about your wedding day?

Michael Gaddie  0:11  
Have you ever thought about your responsibility? Or liability if something unforeseen happen on wedding day? Would you lose everything? If you had to cancel?

Kristina Stubblefield  0:21  
An event insurance is something that every wedding needs to protect those hosting the event. Learn all about what this insurance covers with our guest, Connie Walters of Diversified Insurance Group in this episode. 

You got engaged. Congratulations. Happy. Yes. joyful time. Of course. Now what timelines to do lists and checklists. 100% Don't worry, you're in the right place. Welcome to The Ring The Bling And All The Things. Hi, I'm Kristina Stubblefield, one of your hosts, along with my two good friends, Michael Gaddie and Sharon Rumsey. We have over 50 years of wedding industry experience between us. We have seen it, heard it, done it and found a way around it. We are here to get you from down on one knee to down the aisle. Our podcast will cover everything from you saying yes to the I do's and all that happens in between. So buckle up and enjoy the journey. Now, let's get started with this episode.

You all are in for a real treat today because my good friend Connie Walter with diversified insurance has come in to record an episode with us about something very important that I don't know necessarily gets brought up enough for people. And that is event insurance. Now before we go off and on all these different questions that we've already been asking her before we started. Connie, thank you for joining us. Thank you for asking me and Mike and Sharon, Connie's a lot of fun. Now, I know you haven't been out to dinner or anything with her, but there are a lot of fun. So Connie, before we get started, will you tell everybody a little bit about your background? Because I know you've been an insurance for over 30 years. Yes, I don't even look like you. away. You're too sweet.

Connie Walter  2:33  
I actually I started out in insurance and 1981 right out of college. I was at Farm Bureau insurance in Jeffersonville worked there for 16 years, I left after I had my second child stayed at home for about 10 years went right back into insurance back to farm bureau as an agent at that time, and been back ever since. But I did leave Farm Bureau I really wanted to get into the independent agency world, which is what diversified is we've got so many more options as far as carriers at probably including our brokers, we probably have over 20 different carriers that we can quote insurance with. So there's no there's no restrictions, you have something you want us to write you want to to quote, we'll look at it for you no matter what it is. So I do really enjoy being on the independent agency side of it.

Kristina Stubblefield  3:32  
So you're located the offices in downtown Jeffersonville, but you do service both Indiana and Kentucky. That is correct, Christina, we are licensed for Indiana and Kentucky and all lines of business including a life and annuities. And just for those listening, they do all different types of insurance. And one of the other things I would like to point out is they can call you on the phone, they can come in the office, you all are very personable. And you all are very well known in the community for being involved in things like that. So I really appreciate you taking time to come in and talk to us. And I'm so glad you explained the difference between independent versus at a certain place. Because that just means for your clients. There's other

Connie Walter  4:17  
options. That's correct. If we see that a policy has had a premium increase, say 10% that year, our CSRS are going to automatically re quote them to see if we can get something less for them. And of course, you know, claims could matter. There could be other things on the driving records maybe, but we always try and we always contact the insured and discuss with them what we're doing and why. Great well, Connie,

Sharon Rumsey  4:44  
I'm sure glad you're here because I I know you do all types of insurance and you're certainly an expert in your field but I want to talk about event insurance today because I have so many clients that asked me about it than insurance. They Don't know if they need it, they don't know what it covers. And honestly, I still have a lot to learn where that's concerned. So I am happy you're here because I want to be able to give good information and solid information to my clients. So can you just kind of, I guess start by telling us what event insurance is? And does every wedding need an event insurance policy?

Connie Walter  5:19  
I think every wedding, every party, any type of event that you're having, whether it be at your home, or if you're renting a venue, you need event insurance. You want to always protect what's dearest to you, your loved ones, your assets. And by having some type of liability in place, along with liquor liability, if there's going to be alcohol consumed at these events, you need to have this policy. Now a wedding policy, of course, it's going to come with a lot more different options of coverage. But just in general speaking, an event at a graduation party, anything that you're having, you need to have this.

Kristina Stubblefield  6:05  
Okay, I have a quick question. Yes. I've heard people say something about, well, I'm adding a writer or I'm adding a separate policy to my homeowners insurance. Can we start there? Is that recommended? I don't recommend it. Now,

Connie Walter  6:20  
we we used to always before event insurance policies got to be a much greater thing than what they were, we would tell people, let's increase your liability on your homeowners. But with that being said, if there's a claim that's going to go against your homeowners, and that could affect you for a number of years with the premium increases, and then depending on how long the claim would go on. So I definitely would recommend not not putting that on your policy, your homeowners that

Kristina Stubblefield  6:53  
doesn't that go back to what you said about protecting your assets and your family? Because then you're you're adding it to your home, which is your asset. Exactly. Okay, Sharon, I know you've got a lot of questions, kind

Sharon Rumsey  7:06  
of what makes you say every event needs, what kind of things happen that you see, gosh, I wish they would have had a policy? Well,

Connie Walter  7:15  
I can relate to one in particular claim that I remember, well, way back when there was not that I know of event insurance, where a couple had a hay ride at their home for friends and family. And as a tractor was pulling the wagon, the wagon came loose, went back the road, several people fell off or injured. There was a bodily injury claim that lasted for at least five years, I'd say. And that was all against the owners of the property. And to me, if they would have had some type of an event policy on that, there would have been at least a million dollars in coverage because that's that's what I recommend starting out with as a million and some go up to as high as 5 million.

Sharon Rumsey  8:08  
speaking specifically in regard to weddings, what would this policy cover,

Connie Walter  8:13  
it could cover many things it could cover, if for some reason, there's a cancellation, whether it's due to like COVID, which we experienced last year, if you made a deposit on a venue, and you lost that deposit, because you had to cancel for some reason. Or it could also cover loss or damage to your wedding rings. If you put a deposit on a dress, or even purchased a dress, you went back the next week, the store was closed, it would cover that your attire and that's happening

Sharon Rumsey  8:45  
with CO I mean businesses

Kristina Stubblefield  8:47  
actually even happened before COVID in our area.

Michael Gaddie  8:52  
So what about destination weddings?

Connie Walter  8:55  
That as well, if if you got a wedding plan out of the country and say a week before there's a hurricane that's supposed to hit, you have to cancel due to weather? Yes, you would also have that that would be a cancellation reason. And you can choose the limit of coverage that you want to and I believe most of these start out anywhere from around 7500 and go up to as high as 175,000. And that is on these optional coverages. Not the general liability or the liquor liability.

Kristina Stubblefield  9:27  
Okay. I have a question, can you for those who don't know, general liability, what is that

Connie Walter  9:33  
general liability? It's pretty much if if someone was to get injured, either while leaving there or while they were there, okay. And most venues, yes, the venue is going to have their own policy. But it's best also that the person that's hosting it have their policy as well. And a lot of venues now are requiring that you have your own policy. I've

Sharon Rumsey  9:57  
seen that so much more in the last Last 18 months than I ever had before, and Sharon does this, this goes to a lot of venues or require wedding professionals,

Kristina Stubblefield  10:08  
whether you're a DJ, a band aid, anybody that's providing a service, that you submit proof that you have certain amount of insurance or that you have insurance and things like that it's

Sharon Rumsey  10:18  
actually part of my contract as their wedding planner, that I will only work with insured, licensed and insured wedding professionals in certain categories, but all DJ catering

Kristina Stubblefield  10:31  
all this that we're talking about, though, doesn't protect the bride and groom or the couple. No, no, no,

Connie Walter  10:37  
it just protects that person providing the service. You know, I've been to a lot of receptions where if if there's drinks, obviously, something's gonna get spilled, whether it's water, beer, Coke, it's gonna get spilled on the floor, someone's on the dance floor, they slip and fall. If they are really hurt, they go to the hospital. And that's right there that could come under the the liability that we're speaking of. So there's just a lot of different things that I've seen happen. And I'm sure you have to Sharon as a wedding planner, at receptions that could definitely be proposed liability risk, and you want to make sure that you

Sharon Rumsey  11:17  
Well, you know, we're pretty blunt on our podcast, we're pretty call it like it is. And the the thing that I see happens that happen that concerns me the most is no matter how good of our service you have, there can be someone that gets drunk. And they do something really stupid. We've had, you know, there was a case in Lowell a few years back where where a drunk person tried to slide down a stair banister and fell and broke their mandible and knocked a bunch of their teeth out. I've certainly had events where guests, you know, become intoxicated, and you know, they fall or they trip or they do something crazy. And, you know, it's it's always a worry. And a lot of times I feel like the couples think, Well, my bartender is insured. So I'm good. But it's been my experience that any, anyone can get sued. And I know we you and I talked before we started that anyone whose name was on that event possibly could have liability if someone is injured. So I think that's something really good to point out just because your vendors are insured does not protect you as the client, the couple

Kristina Stubblefield  12:32  
got something popping in my mind. I'm sorry, Mike is sharing this goes back to a previous episode about who you're invited to your event? Well, and no one your knowing your crowd, knowing your guests. I mean, honestly, it, that's just what

Sharon Rumsey  12:46  
popped them as people we think we know change a lot without them really don't know him.

Michael Gaddie  12:52  
But let me ask a question. So I mean, I know it covers the event itself, but we were talking earlier about different vendors, such as suits, you mentioned suits, and we didn't, I didn't really well, how would that cover? If something happened to the suits? The suits?

Connie Walter  13:09  
Okay. If say if something's damaged when when it gets there, and you have to either take it back, they want to try to charge you for that damage. Okay, then this, this insurance would cover that.

Michael Gaddie  13:23  
Okay, so what about?

Kristina Stubblefield  13:25  
Can I ask what like if you lost your vest or you lost your tie? Or every Yes, and there's so many cars you're on? I had no clue

Michael Gaddie  13:35  
that that would even invading your

Kristina Stubblefield  13:37  
home or that okay, how's that? I'm glad you asked that, because I really didn't know what she meant. But that's

Sharon Rumsey  13:41  
actually a really good point. Because at every reception as we're leaving, I go around and I find somebodies suit jacket. At least one.

Michael Gaddie  13:50  
Yeah, well, and the thing about it when we do our suits, I mean, they there is an insurance thing that they take out on it, which is $10 but that covers it if it's ripped or torn or anything like that, but if it's lost, it does not cover that

Connie Walter  14:04  
right and what what is the average cost of to replace one of those suit

Michael Gaddie  14:08  
jackets about $600 so

Kristina Stubblefield  14:11  
Wow, they're doing so one of you may not even realize that that one of Mike's in his wife's businesses is gyms form aware. So that's, I didn't even know. So I mean, all right information there it is. Okay, so you got another question? I do.

Michael Gaddie  14:27  
So when it comes to this flowers, for example, yes, I have insurance for decorating and setting up and that kind of thing. But say something happened to my cooler and the night before and I go in God forbid this ever happened.

Sharon Rumsey  14:43  
You better knock on some wood

Michael Gaddie  14:45  
but I'm saying what if something happened to my freeze my cooler and it froze everything. Does that fall back on that or does that just fall back on my insurance now

Connie Walter  14:53  
that would fall back on yours? Because it's a business right? Exactly. That that would come under that would come under your

Michael Gaddie  15:00  
okay. So let's go back to the event. And then like you said we had we're having the ceremony we're having the reception and a storm comes during the the reception itself. All the flowers get blown away. The event didn't take place, would that fall under the policy where they would recover the whole event? And also decorations?

Connie Walter  15:24  
Honestly, I think that it would but that is something that I would have to check on for you.

Michael Gaddie  15:28  
Would that be in a severe had that happened before. So that's why

Connie Walter  15:31  
that actually happened at my son's wedding, there was some wind storm beforehand, and everything got blown off the tables course. We had event insurance for that. But we just had to go back and pick everything up and try to make it look the best we could and and go on.

Kristina Stubblefield  15:47  
You're saying that the event didn't take place that had

Michael Gaddie  15:51  
just started. And everybody had to evacuate. So they came through for about 20 minutes. And then we're running around like crazy. just so happens I was there and I and my team. We put everything back together. But there was a big pole there in their backyard tablecloths, napkins, everything was in that pool

Kristina Stubblefield  16:12  
now if it damage those rentals and things like that, I would think event insurance has because there is something on there about damage to rented property.

Connie Walter  16:23  
So that is that is something else that, you know, that's just important to mention.

Kristina Stubblefield  16:28  
Oh, Sharon, that brings up a whole nother topic because most weddings, do rentals.

Sharon Rumsey  16:34  
Almost every wedding does, right? Yes. Yeah. So we've talked about whether we've talked about the dreaded C word crazy alcohol. Yes.

Kristina Stubblefield  16:46  
I thought you were gonna say the

Sharon Rumsey  16:48  
but what's really the elephant in the room right now for for wedding couples, in my opinion is they're worried about losing everything, because a lot of couples did. Should another COVID search happen are anything similar to COVID that has caused so many weddings to postpone and cancel. That's what I get asked the most, you know, when I recommend and, and it's on my checklist for couples to get event insurance, I recommend it to every couple. But what I hear them saying is will it cover if we have to cancel or postpone. And you know, I had one couple that just stands out so strong in my mind. They were paying for their wedding themselves, they had saved up and saved up and COVID canceled their wedding. They were not able to get back all of their deposits and everything so that that couple actually ended up just getting married at the courthouse because they didn't recoup any of their deposits, and they didn't have money to start over. So my main question is, does event insurance cover a cancellation? And if so, does it cover a cancellation? If it's forced? Or will it cover even if you know I have another couple he's in the military. And they're supposed to get married in a few months, and he just got orders to deploy. So they can't get married when they were going to because he's not going to be in the United States. You know, would it cover that,

Connie Walter  18:29  
as a matter of fact, share now that you mentioned that I do remember reading something on this policy that's called call to duty. And that is if the bride or the groom is unexpectedly called out of the country for any reason or anywhere that their military service leave revoked, forcing them to postpone their wedding. They would provide reimbursement for oh my goodness, yes, yes. But as far as the cancellation as well. I know, a really good friend of mine, her daughter had a wedding scheduled for last year. And of course, it got canceled. And I'm not going to mention the name of the venue. But they had put down a $5,000 deposit. And the venue refused to refund the deposit. But said, well, you can pick a date next year. But this is all we have available. Hmm.

Sharon Rumsey  19:19  
Well, there that's what happened almost all the time.

Connie Walter  19:23  
Yes. And there was nothing that she could pick on a Saturday Well, they went ahead and did a private ceremony for a few close friends and family did a ton of that their home. And they still have this deposit over there at this venue and venue says, Well, you can use it for something else. And they're like, it's we can't have a party that large. You know, what would we use this for? And this was her last daughter to get married. So she's like, either use it have something over there or I lose the $5,000

Sharon Rumsey  19:54  
I would have a first anniversary and you know exactly.

Michael Gaddie  19:58  
I understand what you're saying And but you have to think about the businesses too, right? Because if every business refunded all the money that we lost, none of us would, we would, none of us would be in business today.

Kristina Stubblefield  20:11  
But that's the point of having event insurance, because if they would have had event insurance, she could have recovered. Exactly. And you know, some of that are met money?

Connie Walter  20:21  
Yes. Well, it depends on the limit of the policy that they choose. And I kind of mentioned to you before, I'm not the best at commercial insurance, because I don't quote, hardly any. But I do know that on some commercial policies for businesses, there is something on there called like loss of use. And that would probably come into play, if some of these venues would not be able to provide the service to the person. And they either had to refund, you know, a deposit or whatever the case may be. But that would be something you'd want to take up with your agent that

Sharon Rumsey  20:58  
you're out to our couples, you're saying, during the pandemic, had those couples had event insurance, they could have recoup their deposit? Yes.

Kristina Stubblefield  21:08  
Depending on the policy they picked.

Sharon Rumsey  21:10  
Yeah. And I think well, she's saying every all of them would have given it just depends on the limit, you

Connie Walter  21:15  
would depends on that depends on the limit that they choose. And you know, some of these, I'm just gonna kind of give you a for instance, here, you could go up to as high on on deposits. Okay, you can go up, I'm sorry, you can go up to as high as 15,000. I

Kristina Stubblefield  21:38  
believe it was that well, that's why I was just gonna say is, I like what she said at the beginning about it being customized. So if you know that you're having your budget is a larger budget event, you made a policy, you may want higher coverages.

Sharon Rumsey  21:53  
And I think depending on your guest count, and how high of a budget, like you just said, budget wedding you're having. But to me, just having, you know, my backgrounds, also in healthcare, I think I would even push that million dollar limit, I think I would go higher than that. Because one good injury, it requires a helicopter and ICU and those kind of things, you're going to hit that million, and you're going to hit it really, really

Connie Walter  22:19  
fast. And I want to correct myself here, actually on lost deposits. The total limit, or the highest you can go is 10,000. But on the cancellation and postponement, the highest limit is 175,000.

Sharon Rumsey  22:33  
That way,

Michael Gaddie  22:35  
that's not what

Sharon Rumsey  22:36  
I saved a lot of weddings. Yes.

Kristina Stubblefield  22:37  
Well, and I do think that I like that you don't Yep, here's your you don't, it's not. Here's your event policy, this is what you get. This is how much it is. It's based on your particular needs. Like Connie mentioned, if you're having an event that is not serving alcohol, you know, there may be other things that you want to consider in your policy.

Sharon Rumsey  22:58  
Every wedding is different, and custom. And so their insurance should be custom.

Connie Walter  23:03  
Exactly. That's, that's what I like about independent agency here is

Michael Gaddie  23:08  
not a couple. Honestly, in today's society, the pandemics that we're going through and continue to go through your door should not be I mean, they should be knocked down. I mean, they should be pollen in there. Because something that it's more important to get insurance than it is to get a decoration somewhere. You see them saying it. I mean, I mean, that's more at the top of your priority and on top of the pigs. Oh, and

Sharon Rumsey  23:37  
I also 100% agree with what Connie said a little bit ago, about venues requiring it more and more and more. And I think it's because of COVID. And the fine line that we walked between venues being having to keep deposits in order to stay in business and couples losing their money. I think trying to protect their clients venues now are requiring these policies, because it protects both. Exactly. And I think that I think we're gonna see that even more. I think almost every venue is going to start to require

Michael Gaddie  24:11  
there's not a week that goes by that we don't hear. I mean, yeah, we've we've got booked through over 300 weddings this year, but at their every week and Sharon can confess to this. I mean, it's always one, you know, still today, I mean, either they're gonna cancel or they're going to postpone. And having this in place first before you even get any of your vendors would be the smartest thing to do. Absolutely. Well, the

Kristina Stubblefield  24:37  
other thing too is I have worked with Connie for many years, and this has come up on all different types of insurance policies. It's just that little bit of blanket of security, or however you want to word it that, you know, I think people may have things going through their mind about they're hesitant about going ahead and book and putting all these deposits down on On events and what ifs in this in that? What if things, shake out open backup? And everything's great to go? What if things make a little bit of a turn? And there's other mandates that come in place? This is your wedding. This is an important chapter in your life? Of course, do you have to consider what's best for you. But so many people can get caught up in the what ifs. And to know that there's something out there, that still it's gonna cost you some money. And Connie, that's where I want to go to next. But it's affordable enough? Oh, yes. Where you don't have to put your life on hold or your wedding on hold this, we talked about this before. It weighs heavy on couple's minds. And I just think of that as kind of a little bit of a security blanket to kind of help guide you in that process. And I don't know if that's the right word. Sharon's a lot better at words than I am. But I just like the fact that there's an option out there where you still feel like you're protected,

Sharon Rumsey  26:04  
kind of like, and Mike has heard me say this before, actually in reference to him. But it's like when you're the trapeze artist in the circus, you want to be able to fly and you want to, you know, be free to fly and not worry. But you need that safety net under you where you know, that if you fall, there's something there to catch you And to me, that's what event insurance is. And I always have clients that are like, oh, Sharon, really? Do we need it? Like how much is that going to cost? We're spending so much money.

Kristina Stubblefield  26:32  
There's your answer right there, though. You're using vending. So

Sharon Rumsey  26:36  
you're spending $50,000 on this wedding? Do you want to gamble that? Are you ready to gamble that you know how much about how much is it Connie to get?

Kristina Stubblefield  26:45  
Can you do this? And do you have like, can

Sharon Rumsey  26:47  
you do average? I

Connie Walter  26:48  
know they're all different. But absolutely I did just a little luminary quote.

Kristina Stubblefield  26:54  
And I want to make sure that people hear you. So will you hold on sorry. Microphone over close. Thank you. No, I think

Connie Walter  27:00  
this is important. And this was just a you know, I just want to get an idea. Like on the cancellation postponement. I put a limit of 15,000 on there. additional expense was 3000. photography or video if something goes wrong with your photographs, but you don't know what till after it's done. Oh, my goodness. There's there's coverage for that, although I didn't really smart. But yes, it will especially like I know

Kristina Stubblefield  27:26  
why there's no do overs. Didn't we say that in our very first episode

Connie Walter  27:30  
was recorded, not just on videography. It's such a really big thing now. But also, there has been a lot of drones I've seen that are over weddings, and just different things like that.

Kristina Stubblefield  27:44  
Technology is great when it works. But I love that that's included in that just

Sharon Rumsey  27:48  
because it includes I would really like to hear

Connie Walter  27:51  
Yes, well. And when it says event gifts, this means I guess, you get a fine set of crystal. Somehow it's knocked off the table was at the reception, it's completely broken. This covers events, gifts, this quote that I did covers it up to 15 $100. Then we have special jewelry, which what they're talking about, of course, is your wedding bands, that type of thing. One gets lost, something happens to it when the little ring bearer is holding it, whatever the case may be. This one would cover that up to 15 $100. And then last deposits on this policy. I did 1500. But as well, as you know, that limit would definitely need to be higher only because of you've got to put deposits down on everything now

Kristina Stubblefield  28:40  
probably based on your budget. Exactly.

Connie Walter  28:43  
I also did a $1 million general liability on this policy, as well is as a $1 million liquor liability. So this total, depending on a guest count of around 350 to 400 people would run about $535. That's a small investment for

Sharon Rumsey  29:03  
the peace of mind. Yeah, exactly.

Kristina Stubblefield  29:05  
So Sharon, you mentioned something about a $50,000 wedding. I know that those numbers probably would need to be checked there. Even if that policy was $1,000. In your fifth year, you're getting a safety net that's costing you $1,000 and you're investing $50,000 in this day.

Michael Gaddie  29:26  
Yes, yeah, that's, that's well, I

Kristina Stubblefield  29:27  
think we're kind of speechless.

Sharon Rumsey  29:29  
Yeah. Us. The teacher, the peace of mind that would come with that, to me is worth every penny. Absolutely. Yeah.

Michael Gaddie  29:37  
Well, you know, I'm gonna I'm gonna sell you you watch out. Because I'm not kidding. Every time I sit down with abroad, especially in the last month, she's always hopefully this is going to take place. Hopefully this is going to happen, you know, and they still have that negativity but in their brain that he's going to happen and I don't blame them. No, but I mean have This is a piece of mine would be amazing.

Sharon Rumsey  30:02  
Well, when I sit down with my clients, I review, when I do all inclusive wedding planning, I review every contract before they sign it. And we're always sitting together and I'm reading through the contract and they go, what does it say about if I have to cancel what you know, do I get if I sign this? Do I get my deposit back? It is they are so traumatized by what has happened. And so am I. Yes, that they're they're really worried about being under contract with a vendor, and then something happening that their wedding can't take place,

Kristina Stubblefield  30:34  
all of which I think is 100%. x expected and is okay that they follow apps. Everyone feels that way. Yeah,

Sharon Rumsey  30:42  
absolutely. Definitely. Yeah, it's justified.

Michael Gaddie  30:45  
Well, and you know, venues and vendors have changed their contract. Because of, yes, 2020.

Kristina Stubblefield  30:53  
This is just a way to help protect ever the entire event on feeling like, Okay, I have a question. I know, we were talking about venues and stuff like that. But what about because Sharon mentioned earlier, people have went to having private events at a family or friends farm or someone that has a lot of acreage, you know, and they do an outside event with tents and, and things like that? Is Can this be used event insurance, no matter where the events taking place? I'm just asking, like, if it was on

Connie Walter  31:26  
fire? Absolutely. I actually I wrote a event policy when my daughter and son both graduated from high school, and we had a very large party there for both of them. And I did not feel comfortable just upping my liability on my home. So I wrote a million dollars. A night wasn't anything as far as like the whole wedding party wedding policy, it didn't cover, you know, any kind of photography or gifts or anything such as that. But it was a general liability in the liquor liability, if someone got hurt on my property. And if someone left there and got hurt in an accident due to due to drinking or for any reason, that, you know, they might decide that, you know,

Sharon Rumsey  32:13  
I'm thinking even because a lot most of our listeners are planning weddings, but I'm thinking even like, you know, we have so many bachelorette parties, we

Kristina Stubblefield  32:21  
have judgment party, we

Sharon Rumsey  32:22  
have bridal showers, those kind of things that almost always happen on private properties.

Connie Walter  32:28  
In that type of policy. We we write that through one of our brokers, and it basically is just your general liability liquor liability. Now, there is something in there called setup and takedown. You know, if you're setting up I guess maybe in there is a storm, like we were talking about, there would be amount of coverage for that. Everything you add to that, though, would also increase it. I will just give you a for instance, I just wrote an event policy for someone that's having a class reunion at their home. And they are estimating I believe it was around 150 persons there are under we added the general liability to 3 million as well as the liquor liability. And that policy ran about $435

Sharon Rumsey  33:15  
Oh my gosh, goodness. Yeah.

Kristina Stubblefield  33:18  
That's well, and so I also want to say no matter if you're having something that's not wedding related, you're having a party but if I anniversary party, they're different things I'm sitting here running through my mind thinking gosh, you know, I've done a couple of different ones that there's probably been smart I should I had so I know when

Sharon Rumsey  33:39  
it's coming to my mind is I have so many of my girls brides that they do these bachelorette parties are not like when we all got married they are these epic events.

Kristina Stubblefield  33:49  
What are you trying to say that we're old?

Sharon Rumsey  33:51  
Yeah. But anyway,

Kristina Stubblefield  33:56  
I will let that one slide. Oh, yeah, one of the one of the

Sharon Rumsey  33:59  
big things now is to rent an Airbnb. Yes, Nashville is a really popular destination. Gatlinburg is a really popular the beach, but they rent these Airbnb ease and then lots of people are, there's a lot of alcohol, there's a lot of partying, you know, and I've never even thought to mention insurance to them, but now I will because it's

Connie Walter  34:20  
exactly the only thing would be with them. Renting something like that. If they're renting it like an Airbnb, that home itself is going to have liability insurance. Okay, this, I don't believe that that's something else I can check on this policy as far as I know. We're not cover that. And especially now another thing as far as we're only licensed in Indiana and Kentucky, which means I couldn't write a policy if the event was going to take place out of those just maybe somebody there could

Kristina Stubblefield  34:54  
him to exam that does cover have one of the same companies Exactly. Well,

Connie Walter  35:00  
that's what's good about having the broker that we do. They cover all 50 states. And so they would definitely have someone that could write something like that.

Kristina Stubblefield  35:09  
And I'm saying is, no matter where you're listening, you could still reach out to Connie. And she could do

Sharon Rumsey  35:16  
that insurance for a bridal shower Bachelorette or those kind of as well. And I know that

Michael Gaddie  35:23  
though, if you're traveling to another state, and you're staying at an Airbnb, you'd like you said that insurance falls under that policy. But what if they're, they're traveling from Kentucky to there and they get in a car accident, and they're hurt. Is that totally different? It is that

Connie Walter  35:43  
would have to be under an auto policy, anything that happens and I motor vehicle, and all, you know, a bus that that policy would have to come with that vehicle itself. Same way with like limos, which I've already run into those party buses. They have insurance now. I'm not sure it's been a while since I've I rented one for my daughter's 21st birthday. They did have us sign something because there were several everyone was over 21 that was in in the bus. But they still had a sign something before we got in there regarding that we would not hold them responsible if there was something that maybe

Sharon Rumsey  36:26  
I rent transportation, almost every wedding, not every wedding, but almost every wedding. I do and that is still a thing. Okay, you still have? Yeah. And a lot of the times what I do is we don't put any alcohol on the bus before the ceremony. I'll have my assistant switch out a cooler will switch iced water for alcohol, but not until after the ceremony. So we limit the amount of time they have to drink. That's a good, that is good.

Kristina Stubblefield  36:53  
Okay, gosh, I feel like we've covered a lot. It does not feel like we have talked as long as we have. Well, there's a lot to it. It's kind of big and deep and wide. And

Michael Gaddie  37:02  
it's very important. Oh, my God is one of the most important things we've talked about on here. Really, I'm so glad to hear you all say that

Kristina Stubblefield  37:09  
affects every event. So anything else? I mean, are there any other questions? Or Connie Is there anything else that you that you want to go over,

Connie Walter  37:19  
I just want to make sure that everyone knows and and not just the bride and the groom, but you know, the parents are involved in that a lot, oh, much. And they are putting in a lot of times, the parents will purchase the policy because they might be the one that's putting these deposits down. So they might be the one that said, Hey, I want to buy that policy, I want to make sure we're protected on on everything that we can be. It's just to me, insurance has always been a passion of mine. But even more so now that my kids are grown, but when they were growing up, you know, in high school and having friends over, you really have to watch and be ready to protect those assets of yours. Because no matter how good of a friend like we talked about someone might be if they get hurt on your property, you don't know what, what they might come back. Or, you know, there's attorneys out there that might say, Well, yeah, go back, it doesn't matter. They've got insurance.

Sharon Rumsey  38:14  
Correct me if I'm wrong, but sometimes I know I had a friend that got in a situation and it wasn't even the person who got hurt decision when she found her medical claim. And then in the medical insurance asked did this happen at someone else's home? She had to check? Yes, yes. The the medical insurance company sued my friend to get their money back where they had paid her claims. And it wasn't even that this person wanted that to happen. They didn't have any control over exactly

Connie Walter  38:45  
know that that's exactly right. Between that and auto as well. They'll ask at the hospital or wherever. Was this in an automobile? If so they want to know that they

Sharon Rumsey  38:54  
always ask you if it happened at your job if it happened. And as a result of a car accident. Yes,

Michael Gaddie  38:58  
we were involved with a an event about three weeks ago, and the guests were leaving. And the host of the party was and it was at their home. The host of the party was saying bye to somebody will they the guests reached it as handout and asked him to you know, to shake his hand and when the other person shook his hand their dog attacked him and literally almost ripped his hand off. I mean, it was a it was a bad thing. I don't know how I mean I don't know what insurance I would follow that

Connie Walter  39:31  
that would be homeowners that would anytime you have an animal that is that is yours, whether it be a dog, cat, horse bird, yeah. If if that animal causes damage to someone else's property or hurts them any any bodily injury type of way that would come under your homeowner's policy.

Michael Gaddie  39:52  
It was crazy things

Sharon Rumsey  39:53  
happen at events that you just you couldn't even make it up. You

Kristina Stubblefield  39:56  
couldn't even sit down that's a whole nother episode. That's a whole All right. I

Sharon Rumsey  40:00  
mean, it just goes to the point that you kind of need insurance. You have to be ready for anything that could happen.

Connie Walter  40:08  
But I've got I've got one question for us here. And if you can tell me this because I'm, I do my best. I've not planned a wedding in a number of years. And my son and daughter in law, they were good about planning their own wedding and everything. So what what is what do you say? Is the average cost for a wedding

Sharon Rumsey  40:26  
now in our area? Probably 40. It's going up. Okay.

Michael Gaddie  40:34  
I would say anywhere between 40 and 60.

Connie Walter  40:36  
Yeah, so that'll help me to when I start, you know, if someone

Sharon Rumsey  40:40  
wants to average wedding for me, you know, is probably 50 to 60. But in our area, I just read this the other day, and I'm trying to remember the number. I think in our area, it's like 40 to 45 is the average Kentucky Anna wedding. And that that's an all inclusive, is that right? caterer? Everything, everything? Yeah, but you know, different levels of, you know, right. I've done $100,000 weddings, and I've done $20,000 weddings, but yeah, okay, that that helps. Thank you. You're welcome. Yeah, it's Mike actually might do I don't do you agree with that? I

Michael Gaddie  41:19  
do agree with Yeah,

Sharon Rumsey  41:21  
I know. He has more experience than me. So.

Michael Gaddie  41:23  
Well, Connie, thank you very much. has been amazing the information that you have given us. Like I said, your doors are be beaten down. Yeah,

Kristina Stubblefield  41:35  
that's great. I leave the meeting and with cards to all of them. Well, and I think the best part about this is for those locally, Connie's office being in downtown Jeff, it's right across the bridge, not even probably five minutes across the bridge. But you can go in and sit down face to face, you can call on the phone, you can shoot her an email, they're very flexible with how they help you with your needs regarding insurance. So Connie, I really appreciate I know we talked about this for a little bit. And I'm glad you were able to come in, because I think this information is going to be very helpful, not only to engaged couples and their family members, but also wedding professionals that listen as well. So I feel like I can speak more intelligently. Now when I'm asked to provide a little bit better guidance for them to pick up the phone and then I'm gonna hand them on to Connie's course.

Connie Walter  42:28  
And also to know that it's it's affordable. Yeah, it's not I

Sharon Rumsey  42:32  
think people kind of imagine that it's more than what you just said,

Kristina Stubblefield  42:36  
I'm so glad she brought an estimate or an Yeah, that was really smart. Because that way it kind of gave a person's going to go on because what are people thinking? I wouldn't I honestly have no clue. I mean, I think in my mind, I thought somewhere around $1,000 I guess but I don't know. Okay, so if you want Connie's contact information, it is in the show notes with a link to their website, and how you can reach out to her. And make sure you find diversified insurance on Facebook and Instagram. And we appreciate all of our listeners, especially those that have subscribed on your favorite podcast platform. Sharon, what do we always like if you found this information helpful and beneficial. Now let

Michael Gaddie  43:17  
me say it. Bob five star review. Oh, he got it right.

Kristina Stubblefield  43:24  
Wow, that is amazing, Mike, great job. He just, it's unbelievable. I mean, he's practically a rock star, practically a rock star. Yes. And one of the biggest ways that you can help us continue to get the word out is to share this with your family, friends, other business owners or those that you know that may be getting married. Until next time, everyone take care.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of The Ring The Bling And All The Things. If you like what you heard, make sure to hit the subscribe button to get notified of upcoming episodes. You can also visit our website, theringtheblingandallthethings.com for past episodes, and make sure to connect with us on social media. If you would like to help us get the word out about this podcast, make sure to share with your family, your friends and anyone you know in the wedding business.

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