Reception sites, caterers, and insurance?

[verticalhorizon]

In the contract for the reception hall, it indicates that either we or our caterers will need insurance. It would be cheaper if we use one of their approved caterers.

Since I had not read it first hand, and the contract being at home... are we expected to foot this ''insurance'' expense or is this just a tactic?

I realize that caterers and sites have to have insurance in case someone falls or in order to serve alcohol. I got it. But why should that even matter to me, unless they''re trying to push that expense on to me?

I''d rather not ask them about it yet, until I know that I shouldn''t even be paying for it. It''s one thing to facter insurance into the cost of the services themselves (but again, if it''s done this way, it wouldn''t be a line item on the contract now would it?)

Thanks,
VH

 

[lindsal]

Hey VH, it really is a good question overall. Which ever caterer you choose should have insurance that they themselves carry. I belive that it is more for liability and harm then the falls or liquor serving issues. From the sites perspective, if there is a careless person on the caterers waitstaff that leaves the sterno running next to a pile of tableclothes, the site wants to be sure that either the caterer or YOU are going to pay for the damage that the caterer has caused to the site. Make sure it''s the caterer.

The biggest question I would look for in your contract is HOW MUCH liability insurance they (meaning the site) want you to carry, and then make that one of the very first questions you ask any potential caterers.

Good luck... isn''t all this planning fun?!?

 

[verticalhorizon]

Good ideas, thanks. This whole wedding planning thing stinks. Diamond shopping is way more fun.

As it turns out, the place just wants the caterer to be insured. The price difference is that the security deposit is less, if we go with a caterer that they recommend. But as long as nothing goes wrong, then we''ll get the sercurity back anyways.

 

[NYCbride]

My reception venue requires all vendors to have over 2 million dollars in coverage. It says in my contract that all vendors have to be insured. Most reception venues here in NYC are like that.