What should I know when planning a parade?

Everyone loves a parade, but with a trend towards rising attendance numbers comes increased liability risk for organizers. Those who choose to follow recommended risk management advice and purchase parade insurance (as their special event liability coverage) can generally expect to see fewer claims and have adequate protection when they do. Parade organizers take a grave risk in not properly preparing for a potential liability claim as the settlement amounts involved can be catastrophic.

While parades may only be an annual event for your organization or group, it's always a good time to prepare for the next one by reviewing your parade insurance and event policies and procedures.

The following risk management guidelines are recommended:

• Make sure that every automobile used in the parade is insured. The same goes for any other equipment used (e.g. tractors, etc.).
• Obtain signed waivers from all participants.
• All parade participants should refrain from throwing any material (e.g. candy, giveaways, etc.) from the float or from street level. It is a best practice to have parade participants hand out material directly to the people watching along the parade route.
• Work closely with local police for the road closure and with local firefighters and emergency medical services (EMS). EMS should be a part of determining the best way in, out, and around the parade in the event that someone is injured on the parade route.
• Inspect both the staging area and the end of the parade route to help ensure that the participants and their vehicles or equipment can gather and disperse safely.
• Make sure all existing Special Event and Volunteer policies are adhered to.

Have additional questions about parade insurance or special event liability insurance?

Please contact your Marsh Canada licensed insurance broker:

1 888 755 5247 | Email: events.service@marsh.com

^{This blog is not intended to be taken as advice regarding any individual situation and should not be relied upon as such. The information contained herein is based on sources we believe reliable, but we make no representation or warranty as to its accuracy. Marsh shall have no obligation to update this publication and shall have no liability to you or any other party arising out of this publication or any matter contained herein.}