On-the-day Business Insurance checks for Fireworks Night
Published on: November 5, 2025
Before the crowds arrive and the sky lights up, UK businesses should run through these key insurance checks to help stay protected on Bonfire Night.
Fireworks Night is one of the busiest – and riskiest – nights of the year for UK businesses. Whether you’re hosting a display, extending your opening hours or operating near a public event, it’s essential to make sure your insurance is ready to handle the unexpected. Here’s a practical checklist of on-the-day insurance checks to help you stay safe and compliant.
Confirm your Public Liability cover
If you’re hosting or involved in a fireworks display, Public Liability Insurance is vital. It helps to protect your business if a member of the public is injured or their property is damaged due to your event.
- Check your policy limits – are they high enough for a large crowd?
- Ensure fireworks and bonfires are explicitly covered.
- If you’ve hired contractors or vendors, confirm they have their own liability cover.
Review your Property Insurance
Bonfire Night sees a spike in fire damage, vandalism and theft claims [1]. Make sure your premises are protected:
- Confirm your fire protection systems (alarms, extinguishers) are working.
- Check that your policy covers accidental fire and malicious damage.
- Review RoSPA guidance (e.g. securing outdoor areas and removing flammable materials).
Check Employers’ Liability Cover
If staff are working during the event – especially in crowd control, catering or setup – your Employers’ Liability Insurance must be active and adequate.
- Ensure temporary or volunteer staff are included in your policy.
- Brief your team on safety procedures and emergency protocols.
Validate event-specific insurance
If you’ve taken out Event Insurance for Bonfire Night, double-check the details:
- Confirm the policy start and end times match your event schedule.
- Review exclusions – some policies won’t cover pyrotechnics unless handled by professionals.
- Keep a copy of your certificate and emergency contact numbers on hand.
Understand your exclusions
Many standard business policies exclude high-risk activities like fireworks unless declared in advance. In good time before the event:
- Re-read your policy’s exclusions section.
- Contact your broker if you’re unsure whether your event is covered.
- Avoid last-minute changes that could invalidate your cover.
Final tip: keep your broker in the loop
If anything changes – like a bigger crowd, new vendors or extended hours – let your insurance broker know immediately. They can advise on whether your cover is adequate or if you need a temporary extension.
At QMT Commercial, we help businesses stay protected when the stakes are high. Fireworks Night should be a celebration – not a liability.
Need help reviewing your cover today? Contact us for practical advice and peace of mind.
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