EP 270 Retreat Insurance: What Every Retreat Leader Must Know with Event Helper

Let’s talk about something most retreat leaders avoid… until they absolutely can’t.

Insurance.

In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail sits down with Myles Anderson from Event Helper, an insurance provider specializing in events and retreats, to break down why insurance is not optional in the retreat industry - it’s essential.

Because here’s the reality:

You are responsible for people’s safety, experiences, and well-being during your retreat.

And without the right coverage in place, one incident can put your entire business - and personal assets - at risk.

In this conversation, Shannon and Myles discuss:

• Why retreat leaders need event insurance
• Why venues should require it
• What can actually go wrong at a retreat
• The real consequences of not having proper coverage
• How retreat leaders can protect themselves, their guests, and their business

This episode is not fear-based - it’s reality-based.

If you host retreats, events, or group experiences, this is one of the most important conversations you can listen to.

 

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why insurance is essential for retreat leaders
• What types of risks exist at retreats and events
• Why venues require insurance (and why you should expect it)
• What can happen financially and legally without coverage
• How insurance protects both the host and the guest experience

 

Key Takeaways

You Are Responsible as the Host

When you host a retreat, you are taking on responsibility for:

• participant safety
• activities
• environment
• logistics

Even with the best planning, things can happen.

 

Insurance Protects More Than You Think

Insurance isn’t just about worst-case scenarios.

It protects:

• your business
• your personal assets
• your reputation
• your ability to continue hosting retreats

 

Venues Require It for a Reason

Professional venues often require retreat leaders to carry insurance.

This protects:

• the venue
• the retreat host
• the guests

If a venue doesn’t require it, that’s something to pay attention to.

 

Without Insurance, the Risk Is Real

Without proper coverage, retreat leaders could face:

• liability claims
• legal costs
• unexpected financial loss

And in some cases, it could shut down a retreat business completely.

 

This Is About Being a Professional

Running a retreat is not just about creating a great experience.

It’s about operating a real business.

And real businesses protect themselves.

 

About Event Helper

Event Helper provides event and retreat insurance designed to protect hosts, organizers, and venues.

They specialize in offering coverage for a wide range of events, helping business owners operate with confidence and reduce risk.

Learn more at:
https://www.theeventhelper.com/#retreatleaders 

 

The Retreat Leaders Podcast Resources and Links:

• Learn to Host Retreats
• Join our private Facebook Group
• Top 5 Marketing Tools Free Guide
• Get your legal docs for retreats
• Join Shannon in Denver at the Retreat Industry Forum 
• Join our LinkedIn Group
• Apply to be a guest on our show

Thanks for tuning into the Retreat Leaders Podcast. Remember to subscribe for more insightful episodes, and visit our website for additional resources. Let’s create a vibrant retreat community together!

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TIMESTAMPS

Myles’ Background and Role (00:01:07) Myles explains his role at Event Helper and their focus on event liability insurance.

Venue vs. Event Host Insurance (00:02:16) Discussion on the difference between a venue’s insurance and an event host’s insurance policy.

Why Event Hosts Need Insurance (00:03:15) Myles details why event hosts need their own liability insurance and what it covers.

Cost and Value of Event Insurance (00:05:08) Shannon and Myles discuss the typical costs and the importance of investing in event insurance.

Real-Life Claims and Examples (00:06:08) Myles shares examples of claims, including property damage and injury incidents at events.

Legal Defense and Coverage Scope (00:07:51) Explanation of how insurance policies provide legal defense, not just payouts for damages.

Participant Injuries and Waivers (00:08:39) Discussion about participant injuries, waivers, and when hosts may or may not be liable.

Personal Liability Risks (00:10:34) Shannon warns about personal liability and the financial risks of not having insurance.

Coverage Limits and Host Liquor Liability (00:11:42) Myles explains coverage limits, options up to $5 million, and inclusion of host liquor liability.

Honesty in Policy Applications (00:12:35) Importance of accurately disclosing retreat activities when applying for insurance.

Exclusions and High-Risk Activities (00:12:49) Myles discusses exclusions, higher-risk activities, and how Event Helper handles special cases.

Participant Coverage Options (00:14:29) Explanation of liability vs. participant coverage for athletic or sporting retreat components.

Event Helper as Preferred Partner (00:15:10) Shannon shares why her venue prefers Event Helper and the ease of working with them.

International Event Insurance (00:16:11) Discussion on Event Helper’s efforts to help with international event insurance coverage.

Challenges of International Coverage (00:17:28) Myles explains the difficulty of finding coverage for events outside the US.

How to Apply for Event Helper Insurance (00:18:05) Overview of Event Helper’s simple online application process and customer support.