Event Insurance

Some events hosted by student organizations require additional insurance. Special event insurance helps provide liability protection for organizations hosting activities on campus that are not covered under the University’s liability insurance.

When hosting an on-campus event with that involves an external vendor, student organizations will be required to provide a Certificate of Insurance, also known as a COI, to the Office of Student Involvement. A certificate of insurance (COI) is a document used to demonstrate evidence of insurance to another party and to provide information about specific insurance coverages. The COI gives DePaul information such as types of insurance policies carried, lists the insurance companies providing the coverage, shows the insurance limits and deductibles, and the policy effective dates.

Certificate of Insurance Requirements and Coverage Limits

DePaul University must be added as an additional insured on the policy and it must be up to date. For the listed address, you can use the address of your specific event location, or can use "DePaul University, 1 E Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60604."

DePaul may require proof of insurance for specific policies with limits as follows:

  • Commercial General Liability $2,000,000 each occurrence
  • Automobile Liability $1,000,000 each occurrence
  • Workers Compensation/Employers Liability Statutory $100,000 employee
  • Liquor Liability (whenever alcohol may be served) $1,000,000
  • Liquor Liability covers any negligence of the party renting the space, caterer carries its own coverage for their liability.
  • Sexual Abuse/Molestation Liability (when minors 17 and under are present) $1,000,000/$2,000,000

The COI must include the following language : “All insurance policies, except Workers Compensation and Automobile Liability, name DePaul University, its affiliates, Trustees, directors, officers, faculty, employees, and agents as additional insured.” The COI should also indicate that a Waiver of Subrogation in favor of DePaul is included.

If your vendor cannot meet these standard terms, please contact the Office of Student Involvement and they can assist in navigating a request for adjusted terms or limits with Risk Management on your behalf.

How to Get a Certificate of Insurance

Student organizations may obtain a COI several ways:

  1. If you are connected to a business or non-profit, you may contact them to see if your event or activities are covered by their insurance and request a COI.
  2. If you are an inter/national organization (fraternity, honors organization, etc) you may contact your inter/national organization to see if your event or activities are covered by their insurance and request a COI.
  3. If no alternative insurance is available to the organization, one option may be to purchase event insurance through the University Risk Management & Insurance Association. Instructions can be found here.
  4. If you are working with a vendor who needs to provide a COI, you will request it directly from them and provide the required language outlined below.

Examples of When Additional Coverage is Required

There are several instances when insurance may be required for an event. We will provide some below, but know this list is not exhaustive and the Office of Student Involvement reserves the right to require a COI or additional insurance at their discretion.

  • When student organizations rent equipment, games, entertainment equipment or any other equipment from an outside vendor.
  • When hosting an event where alcohol will be served.
  • When hosting a Therapy Dog Event.