Why promoters need to consider event cancellation insurance

Freddie Sparrow, co-founder of Vento, Steven Jones, senior adjuster at Spotlite Claims, and Gary Brooks, client director at SRG, discuss the shrinkflation of event cancellation policies since the Covid-19 pandemic plus the nature of claims today.

Sparrow warned fuel shortages linked to events in Iran should be factored into contingency planning this summer, explaining “the sensible thing to do” is to mitigate the risk as much as possible by securing power supplies early to ensure events can still go ahead.

Brooks agreed, urging promoters to stay ahead of emerging risks and secure cover before issues become exclusions or “known events” in the market.

As well as fuel issues causing problems with events this summer, Jones said cyber risk should also be front of mind after handling claims in recent years involving ticketing software failures.

While the participants agree there are still plenty of fit-for-purpose policies available for event organisers, they raise concerns about the narrow scope and rising cost of war, cyber, malicious attack and communicable disease cover this summer.

The increasing use of large excesses and carve-outs is also highlighted as something organisers and brokers need to scrutinise carefully in 2026.

The discussion also turns to the risks associated with ageing performers, after Jeff Lynne’s Electric Light Orchestra canceled their farewell performance at the BST Hyde Park Festival last summer for medical reasons.

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