Florists do more than drop off bouquets. Arches, suspended installations, heavy centerpieces and open-flame candles all create ways for a guest to be injured or a venue to be damaged — which is why venues require liability insurance from florists.
What venues typically require from florists
| Coverage | Typical requirement | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial general liability | $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate | Always |
| Additional insured | Venue named on the GL policy | Always |
| Auto liability | Required | If delivering with vehicles |
| Workers' compensation | Required | If the florist has employees |
These are common requirements, not advice — see the full vendor insurance requirements.
Why florists carry real risk
"Do florists need insurance?" comes up a lot, and the answer is usually yes. A suspended floral installation that falls, a heavy urn that tips onto a guest, wax or water damage to a venue's floors, or a candle incident — these are exactly the third-party claims general liability is for. Larger installations mean larger risk, which is why venues rarely make an exception for florists.
For the florist: what to send
Ask your insurer for a certificate showing $1M/$2M general liability, naming the venue as additional insured at its address, covering the event date. Add auto liability if you deliver, and note workers' comp if you employ staff.
What this means for your venue
Treat florists like any other on-site vendor: require general liability and additional insured status, and confirm the wording on the certificate rather than assuming the certificate-holder box is enough (see additional insured). VenueCOI checks each florist certificate against your rules automatically — or check one free.