![]() ![]() Limit your own alcohol intake as a responsible host/hostess, so that you will be better able to judge your guests’ sobriety.Encourage guests to pick a designated driver who will refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages so that he or she can drive other guests home.Most bartenders are trained to recognize signs of intoxication and are better able to limit consumption by partygoers. Consider venues other than your home for the party. Hosting your party at a restaurant or bar with a liquor license, rather than at your home, will help minimize liquor liability risks.Many states have laws that pertain specifically to furnishing alcohol to minors. Some extend the host’s liability to injuries that occur anywhere a guest who has consumed alcohol goes. Others limit liability to injuries that occur on the host’s premises. Some states do not impose any liability on social hosts. Make sure you understand your state laws. These laws vary widely from state to state (see final chart).If you plan to serve alcohol at a party, promote safe alcohol consumption and take these steps to reduce your social host liability exposure: Remember that a good host is a responsible host. Before planning a party in your home, speak to your insurance professional to review your homeowners coverage for any exclusions, conditions or limitations your policy might have that would affect your social liability risk. Homeowners insurance usually provides some liquor liability coverage, but limits are typically $100,000 to $300,000, which, depending on your assets, might not be enough. ![]() Social host liability-insurance considerations While a social host is not liable for injuries sustained by a drunken guest (as the guest is also negligent), the host can be held liable for harm to third parties, and even for passengers of the guest who have been injured in their car. There are circumstances under these laws where criminal charges may also apply. Most of these laws also offer an injured person, such as the victim of a drunk driver, a method to sue the person who served the alcohol. Social host liability can have serious consequences for party throwers.Īlso known as “Dram Shop Liability,” social host liability laws vary widely from state to state, but 43 states have them on the books. Social host liability is the legal term for the criminal and civil responsibility of a person who furnishes liquor to a guest. ![]()
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