Trade Show & Convention Exhibitor Insurance Coverage Checklist
The coverages a trade show & convention exhibitor business may carry — core, prevalent, and situational — why each matters, and the gap most often missed.
Pull out your current policy and check the box next to any coverage you can confirm is already in place — anything unchecked is worth a quick conversation with your advisor. Coverage checklist for trade show, convention, and expo exhibitors. Priorities reflect typical exposure for this class; confirm against your actual operations.
Tick each coverage you can confirm you carry — anything left unticked is a good question for your next policy review.
| Have it? | Coverage | Why this business needs it | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Liability (Incl. Products & Contractual) | Shows typically require $1M/$2M with products and contractual liability, naming show management, the venue, and the GSC. | Core | |
| Inland Marine / Exhibition Floater | Covers booths, displays, samples, and electronics in transit, in storage, and on the floor. | Core | |
| Workers' Compensation (All Show States) | Contracts require coverage that complies with the state where the show is held. | Core | |
| Additional Insured & Waiver Endorsements | Certificates missing a required entity or endorsement can be refused at move-in. | Core | |
| Hired & Non-Owned Auto | Covers rental cars and employees driving to shows. | Prevalent | |
| Umbrella / Excess Liability | Large shows and venues often require higher limits. | Prevalent | |
| Cargo / Transit Coverage | Covers freight between your warehouse, exhibit house, and venue. | Prevalent | |
| Liquor Liability | Needed if you serve alcohol in the booth or at hospitality events. | Situational | |
| Foreign Package / International Coverage | Covers shows, staff, and property outside the U.S. | Situational | |
| Event Cancellation | Recovers sunk show costs if a show is cancelled for a covered reason. | Situational |
The coverage gap most often missed
The gap most often missed by exhibitors is exhibit property between shows. Show management disclaims responsibility for your booth, freight gets lost at advance warehouses, and a standard property policy may limit property away from your premises. An exhibition floater covers booths and samples in transit, in storage, and on the floor. Also check each show's certificate rules: a missing additional insured can stop you at the dock.
Send us the checklist and we'll review your trade show & convention exhibitor coverage line by line, then market it across multiple carriers that compete for your account.
Related: Trade Show & Convention Exhibitor Insurance · Trade Show & Convention Exhibitor Supplemental (apply) · All coverage checklists
Frequently asked questions
What insurance does a trade show & convention exhibitor business need?
The core coverages for a trade show & convention exhibitor business are General Liability (Incl. Products & Contractual), Inland Marine / Exhibition Floater, Workers' Compensation (All Show States), Additional Insured & Waiver Endorsements. This checklist also lists the prevalent and situational coverages worth considering, with a plain-English note on why each matters.
Is this checklist insurance advice?
No. It is a free educational tool to help you have a more informed conversation with a licensed professional. It affords no coverage and is not insurance, legal, or financial advice — only your actual policy language governs what is and isn't covered.
Can Cory Washington & Co. review my trade show & convention exhibitor coverage?
Yes. Share your checklist and we'll review your program line by line, market your account across multiple carriers, and explain the trade-offs in plain English. Cory Washington & Co. LLC is licensed in all 50 states.
This checklist is a free educational tool from Cory Washington & Co. to help you review your own coverage and have a more informed conversation with a licensed insurance professional. It is general information only — not insurance, legal, or financial advice, and not a recommendation to buy, change, or cancel any policy. Coverage terms, availability, limits, and requirements vary by policy, carrier, and state, and only the language in your actual policy governs what is and isn’t covered. Checking or leaving blank any item above does not indicate that you are adequately insured or under-insured. Using this checklist does not create a client, agency, or fiduciary relationship. Always consult a licensed professional about your specific situation.