A Guide to Celebrant Insurance: Navigating the Maze of Coverage

Starting your journey as a celebrant is exciting, but one of the most confusing aspects many new celebrants face is understanding insurance requirements. If you’ve found yourself scratching your head over public liability versus professional indemnity, or wondering why insurance companies don’t seem to understand what you do, you’re not alone.

We’ve spoken with our Celebrant Mentors to demystify Celebrant Insurance for you…

Do You Actually Need Insurance?

The short answer is yes, absolutely. While you might think of yourself as simply helping couples celebrate their love or families honour their departed, from a business perspective, you’re providing a professional service – and with that comes responsibility.

Most venues will require you to provide a copy of your Public Liability Insurance before they’ll allow you to conduct a ceremony on their premises. Wedding venues, funeral homes, and even outdoor spaces increasingly ask for proof of cover, so having insurance isn’t just advisable – it’s often essential for securing bookings.

The Great Insurance Hunt: Why It’s So Difficult

Here’s where things get frustrating. Try searching for “celebrant insurance” online, and you’ll quickly discover that most insurance websites don’t have a dropdown option for celebrants. Many insurance providers simply don’t understand what celebrants do, often confusing the role with wedding planners, funeral directors, or even entertainers.

This lack of understanding leads to several problems:

• Generic quotes that don’t reflect your actual risk profile
• Inappropriate coverage that might not protect you properly
• Inflated premiums based on incorrect assumptions about your work

The solution? Pick up the phone. Most celebrants find better results speaking directly with insurance providers or working through specialist brokers who can create bespoke policies rather than trying to fit your profession into an ill-fitting online category.

Public Liability or Professional Indemnity: Which Do You Need?

This is where many celebrants get confused, but the answer is straightforward: you need both.

Public Liability Insurance covers you for accidents that might happen during your work. Think of scenarios like:

• Accidentally knocking over and breaking a venue’s expensive vase
• Dripping candle wax on a historic table during a unity candle ceremony
• Someone tripping over your equipment and injuring themselves

This type of insurance protects you when your physical presence or actions cause damage or injury to others or their property.

Professional Indemnity Insurance covers you for errors in your professional service. This might include:

• Getting someone’s name wrong in the ceremony
• Failing to turn up for a ceremony
• Giving incorrect advice about legal requirements
• Missing crucial elements that were discussed in planning

Professional indemnity covers you when your professional mistakes cause financial loss or distress to your clients.

How Much Coverage Do You Need?

The level of coverage you require will depend on several factors:

• The venues you work in (high-end venues may require higher coverage limits)
• The scale of ceremonies you conduct
• Your personal risk tolerance
• Industry standards in your area

Most celebrants find that £1-2 million in public liability coverage and £250,000-£500,000 in professional indemnity provides adequate protection without breaking the bank. However, some prestigious venues may require higher limits.

Getting the Right Price

Insurance costs for celebrants can vary wildly, and you shouldn’t be paying through the nose. A reasonable annual premium for combined public liability and professional indemnity should typically range from £80-£150 per year, not the £200-£400 quotes some celebrants report receiving.

If you’re getting expensive quotes, it’s often because:

• The insurer doesn’t understand your profession
• You’ve been categorised incorrectly (as an entertainer or event planner, for instance)
• The coverage levels are unnecessarily high for your needs

Speaking the Right Language

When talking to insurance providers, be clear about what you do. Explain that you:

• Conduct ceremonies (weddings, funerals, naming ceremonies)
• Work in various venues
• Handle some paperwork and legal documentation
• Don’t provide entertainment or organise events

Some insurers have found success categorising celebrants under “toastmaster” or similar roles, provided there’s clear documentation that your actual profession is covered.

Introducing The Guild: Your Insurance Solution

Navigating the insurance maze doesn’t have to be a solo journey. The Guild, a brand new membership community for celebrants and part of the AMC family, is now offering dedicated Celebrant Insurance as part of your membership.

This means no more phone calls trying to explain what you do, no more inappropriate categorisations, and no more inflated premiums. The Guild’s insurance is designed specifically for celebrants, by people who understand the profession.

Alongside comprehensive insurance coverage, Guild membership includes:

• Ongoing training opportunities to keep your skills sharp
• A dedicated community hub where you can connect with fellow celebrants
• Exclusive resources to help grow your business
• Member discounts on essential services

https://celebrantguild.com launches 1st July 2025

The Bottom Line

Insurance might not be the most exciting part of running your celebrant business, but it’s absolutely essential. The key is finding coverage that’s designed for what you actually do, at a price that reflects your real risk profile.

Whether you choose to navigate the insurance market independently or join The Guild for hassle-free coverage, make sure you’re properly protected. Your peace of mind – and your business – depends on it.

After all, you became a celebrant to focus on creating beautiful, meaningful ceremonies for your clients. Proper insurance coverage ensures that’s exactly what you can do, without worrying about what might go wrong.