I agreed to a “Private Dinner” with a top-tier subscriber. It seemed safe—public place, $1,000 cash. Halfway through, he tripped over my bag strap, fell, and broke his wrist. He was embarrassed at first, but a week later, I got a letter from a personal injury lawyer suing me for $150,000 in medical bills and “pain and suffering.”
Key Takeaways
- Personal Liability Doesn’t Apply: Your renters “Personal Liability” usually excludes “Business Activities.” Since he paid you to be there, this was a business meeting.
- CGL “Bodily Injury”: You need Commercial General Liability (CGL). This covers you if a third party gets hurt due to your negligence (e.g., your bag strap) during business operations.
- The “Assault & Battery” Exclusion: If the fan attacks you and you fight back, injuring him, standard insurance might deny coverage for his injuries under the “Assault & Battery” or “Intentional Acts” exclusion. You need “Self-Defense” coverage.
- Waivers Are Weak: Having a fan sign a waiver is good, but it doesn’t stop them from suing for “Gross Negligence.” Insurance is the backstop when the waiver fails.
The “Why” (The Trap): The “Business Activity” Definition
If you meet a friend for dinner and they trip, your Renters Insurance pays.
If you meet a fan who paid you $1,000 for dinner, that is a commercial transaction.
Renters insurance excludes business liability.
Business insurance covers it, BUT you must check the “Classification”. If you are classified as “Internet Media,” the insurer assumes you sit at a desk. If you are meeting fans (events), you have a higher risk profile. If you didn’t tell the insurer you do “events” or “meet and greets,” they might deny the claim for misrepresentation.
The Investigation: “I Called Them”
I looked for coverage for in-person fan interactions.
1. Special Event Insurance (The Event Helper)
- The Idea: Buy a 1-day policy for the “Meetup.”
- The Verdict: Cheap ($50). Effective. You list the restaurant/venue as the location. It covers slip-and-falls.
2. Commercial General Liability (Hiscox/Next)
- The Idea: Annual policy for the business.
- The Verdict: Covers “Bodily Injury.” Crucial: Ensure your business description includes “Public Appearances” or “Talent.”
3. Professional Liability
- The Verdict: Does not cover bodily injury (tripping). Only covers financial loss (bad advice). You need CGL (General Liability).
Comparison Table: Liability at Meetups
| Scenario | Renters Insurance | Commercial General Liability | Special Event Policy |
| Accidental Trip & Fall | Denied (Business) | Covered | Covered |
| Food Poisoning | Denied | Covered (Product Liability) | Covered |
| Fan Attacks You (Self Defense) | Denied (Intentional) | Excluded (Usually) | Excluded |
| Cost | N/A | $30/mo | $50/event |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Vet the Fan: Always. Background checks (using public records) are your first layer of safety.
- Meet in Public: Never a hotel room, never a car. Restaurants or convention halls only.
- Buy CGL Insurance: If you do this regularly, get a Commercial General Liability policy. It costs ~$300/year. It saves you from the $150,000 lawsuit.
- Carry “Self-Defense” Insurance (CCW): If you carry protection (pepper spray, firearm), consider self-defense liability insurance (like USCCA – check terms for business use). This covers your legal fees if you are charged for defending yourself.
FAQ
Q: Does the restaurant’s insurance cover it?
A: If he trips on their carpet, yes. If he trips on your bag, no. The restaurant will blame you to save their own premium.
Q: Can I ask the fan to sign a liability waiver?
A: You can, and it helps deter lawsuits, but it’s awkward at a dinner. A better move is having clear Terms of Service on your booking page that includes a liability release.
Q: What if he stalks me home after?
A: This is where the Stalking/Threat insurance (from Article 1 in the previous set) kicks in. Liability covers his injury; Threat coverage covers your safety.
[IMAGE: A screenshot of a booking form with a checkbox: “I agree to the Terms of Service and Release of Liability.”]