Bounce houses, tents and tables, insured for the party.
General liability, inland marine, commercial auto and workers' comp for party and event rental companies: inflatables, tents, canopies, tables, chairs, linens and games.
By Sam Alishahi · CA Insurance License #4348151 · Reviewed October 2026 · How this page is researched
Inflatables are the hard part
Tables, chairs and linens are easy to insure. Bounce houses, water slides and other inflatables aren't: many standard carriers exclude them or won't write the class, so coverage usually comes from specialty and surplus lines markets. They'll ask how inflatables are anchored, whether you stay to supervise, and what you do when the wind picks up.
Then there's the rest of the job: tents set up on someone else's property, a crew loading trucks and trailers, and equipment that's out on rent most weekends. Parks, venues and cities commonly require a certificate naming them as additional insured before you set up. I put the pieces together around what you actually rent.
- General liabilityInjuries and damage from the equipment you rent and set up.
- Rental equipmentInflatables, tents and inventory, on site, in transit or in storage.
- Commercial autoTrucks, vans and trailers that deliver and set up.
- Workers' compRequired in California for delivery and setup crews.
What underwriters will ask
Having these ready means I can go to market on the first call. The quote form asks for the same things, and anything you don’t know yet can wait.
- Inventory: inflatables by type, water units, tents, games and furniture.
- Operations: delivered and set up, attended or unattended, and anchoring methods.
- Rentals: annual rental receipts and number of events a year.
- Vehicles: trucks, vans and trailers, and who drives them.
- Contracts: your rental agreement, waivers and safety rules.
- History: current policies and any claims.
Party rental insurance, answered
Why is bounce house insurance hard to find?
Inflatables carry injury exposure that many standard carriers exclude or won't write. Coverage is usually placed with specialty or surplus lines carriers that know the class and ask detailed questions about operations.
Does it matter if we stay and supervise the inflatable?
Yes. Carriers ask whether units are attended or unattended and rate them differently. Your rental agreement, safety rules and anchoring practices matter to them too.
Are water slides covered?
Not automatically. Water slides and wet combos are often rated separately or excluded, so list every unit you rent.
Can I add the venue or homeowner as additional insured?
Usually, yes. Parks, venues and cities commonly require it, and many rental policies can issue certificates for each event. Ask early so the certificate is ready before setup.
Is my equipment covered while it's out on rent?
Inland marine or rental equipment coverage can cover inventory on site, in transit and in storage, subject to the policy's terms. A general liability policy doesn't cover your own equipment.
Do you offer party rental insurance outside California?
Yes. Clients across the country send the same quote form. California policies are placed directly; outside California the request is handled together with a partner agency in your state, and the shopping across carriers works the same way. Rules, minimums and markets differ by state — see insurance requirements by state.
Tell me what you rent. I'll shop it.
Your inventory list, vehicles and annual rentals are enough to start.
Alishahi Insurance · Saman Alishahi, independent insurance broker, California License #4348151. General information, not a quote or a promise of coverage; coverage depends on underwriting and the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy actually issued. Some policies may be placed with nonadmitted (surplus lines) insurers, which are not members of the California Insurance Guarantee Association (CIGA).
Tell me how to reach you. I’ll take it from there.
Takes about 30 seconds. I review every request personally and call you back, usually the same day.
(424) 552-4545Answered 24/7 · CA License #4348151
Get a reminder before your renewal.
Tell me when your policy renews and I’ll email you about six weeks before, when it’s worth comparing. One email, no calls.