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Firework display insurance
Insurance for firework displays can protect event organisers against legal liability for injury to members of the public and damage to third-party property. Depending on your requirements, cover can also include employers’ liability, event equipment, and event cancellation. Cover can also be arranged where the fireworks are set off by the organiser or by a professional fireworks contractor.
Standard event and public liability policies do not always cover fireworks, bonfires, or pyrotechnic activities. If you already have insurance, check whether it covers the display and any bonfire.
To request a firework display and bonfire insurance quotation, complete our online quote form or contact us to discuss your requirements.
Who is firework display event insurance for?
Firework display and bonfire insurance can be arranged for businesses, organisations and individuals organising public or private events
This can include community groups, sports and social clubs, associations, schools, pubs and other businesses, charities, councils and local organisations arranging events involving fireworks, a bonfire or both.
A policy for a one-off event organiser differs from annual business insurance for a professional firework contractor.
Bonfire insurance
Cover for a bonfire can be arranged whether the bonfire is the main feature or part of a larger event with fireworks.
When arranging cover, we’ll need to know where the bonfire will be positioned, how it will be supervised and how spectators will be kept at a safe distance.
COVERS
What does firework display insurance cover?
Firework display and bonfire event insurance can combine different types of cover depending on the event and the risks involved. This can include public liability, employers’ liability, cover for event equipment and event cancellation.
Public liability insurance
Can cover your legal liability if a member of the public is injured or third-party property is damaged in connection with your event.
We can arrange cover from £1 million to £10 million, with higher limits available where needed for larger public events or where required by contract. Venues, landowners and local authorities often require evidence of insurance before allowing a display to proceed.
Employers’ liability insurance
Can cover your legal liability if an employee is injured or becomes ill as a result of their work at your event.
When arranging cover, tell us about everyone working at the event including permanent and temporary employees, stewards and marshals, casual event workers, volunteers and unpaid helpers, and anyone working under your direction or control.
Event equipment insurance
Can cover event equipment you own, hire or lease against insured risks such as accidental damage, loss or theft. This might include crowd barriers, sound and lighting equipment, generators, marquees and other temporary structures used at the event.
Event cancellation insurance
Can cover certain irrecoverable costs and expenses or loss of revenue if your event is cancelled, postponed, interrupted or abandoned for an insured reason.
Adverse weather cover can also be included if required.
How much does firework display and bonfire insurance cost?
Quote explained
These starting prices are based on:
This is an actual quotation arranged through David J Miller Insurance Brokers, issued and underwritten by Convex Insurance UK Limited dated 22 September 2026. Your premium will be calculated based on the details of your event and the cover selected, so the price you receive may be higher than the examples shown.
Factors that can affect the premium include the total attendance throughout the entire duration of the event, the public liability limit of indemnity, the duration of the event, whether fireworks, a bonfire or both are included, who is responsible for setting off the fireworks, and whether a professional contractor is involved. Adding employers’ liability, event equipment or cancellation cover can also increase the premium.
How
to get
a quote
You can call us, fill in our online form, or ask us to call you back, whatever suits you best.
Read more about the different ways to get in touch, what information we will need from you and FAQs about getting an event insurance quote.
What do I need for a firework display insurance quote?
To obtain a firework display insurance quote, you will normally need:
Depending on the size and scale of your event a copy of your risk assessment, site plan and details of the event’s safety arrangements may also be required.
Why is firework display and bonfire insurance important?
Firework displays and bonfires combine crowds, fire, heat, smoke, embers, loud bangs, temporary equipment, darkness and changing weather conditions. An incident can involve spectators, employees, volunteers, contractors, venue owners or neighbouring property.
Insurance can provide financial protection against claims and losses that can occur at the event, subject to the cover selected and the policy terms, conditions and exclusions.
Why
choose
us
Specialist event insurance with direct support from a UK-based team
Read MoreWhat types of claims can arise from a firework display or bonfire?
Claims can arise while setting up the event, during the display or bonfire and when clearing the site afterwards. They can result directly from the fireworks or bonfire and from other more ordinary event hazards such as uneven ground, crowd movement, and equipment used at the event.
Examples include:
- Injuries to spectators: a spectator suffers burns or another injury caused by a firework, falling debris, heat, or an ember;
- Trips and falls: poor lighting, uneven ground, cables, barriers, or temporary equipment causes a person to fall;
- Damage to neighbouring property: fireworks, smoke, sparks or embers damage nearby buildings, vehicles, fences, land, or other property;
- Bonfire-related incidents: a bonfire collapses, spreads, or causes injury to a spectator or helper;
- Crowd-control incidents: poor crowd management, stewarding or inadequate barriers contribute to an injury;
- Injuries to employees or volunteers: someone working at the event could be injured while setting up equipment, managing spectators or carrying out their duties;
- Contractor-related incidents: an incident involving a professional firework operator or another contractor causes injury or damage, and the organiser is also drawn into the claim;
- Equipment loss: hired or owned equipment used at the event is damaged or stolen;
- Post-event incidents: unexploded or partly spent fireworks, smouldering material and equipment left on the site causes injury or damage.
Cover for a claim will depend on the circumstances, who was legally liable and the terms, conditions, and exclusions of your policy.
Firework display and bonfire safety
Firework displays and bonfires involve significant risk of fire and injury, so careful planning and appropriate safety measures are essential.
As part of your planning, you should consider:
- Health and safety: Follow HSE guidance on organising firework displays;
- F4, T2 and P2 fireworks and pyrotechnics: These categories are restricted to people with specialist knowledge. Check the legal and insurance requirements that apply before they are purchased or used;
- Professional fireworks operator: If you are using a professional operator, confirm who will fire the display and obtain evidence of their competence and insurance;
- Local authority requirements: Check whether the council requires notification, permission, a licence, an event management plan or a particular level of public liability insurance;
- Venue and landowner conditions: Review any conditions imposed by the venue or landowner, including insurance requirements;
- Northern Ireland: A licence is generally required to buy, possess and use fireworks in Northern Ireland. Check the current Northern Ireland fireworks guidance;
- Scotland: Public entertainment licensing requirements vary between local authorities, so check the requirements for the area where the event will take place.
The GOV.UK guidance for non-professional firework displays also provides information for community groups and event organisers.
Is firework display insurance legally required?
Public liability insurance is not generally required by health and safety law for a firework display, although a venue, landowner or local authority may require it. Professional operators using Category F4 fireworks are required to have public liability insurance covering their use. Employers’ liability insurance may also be legally required if you are an employer.
Does a professional fireworks contractor need separate insurance?
A professional fireworks contractor should have their own public liability insurance for the work they carry out. If you appoint a contractor, ask for evidence of their insurance and check that it provides the right cover.
Professional display operators using Category F4 fireworks are specifically required by product safety law to have public liability insurance covering their use.
The contractor’s insurance does not replace the event organiser’s own cover. You may still need insurance for your responsibilities as the organiser, including spectators, the venue, staff, volunteers and other activities at the event.
Firework display and bonfire insurance FAQs
Answers to common questions about fireworks and bonfire event insurance.
Policy requirements vary between insurers. The distances and conditions provided are examples of requirements that may apply and should not be treated as universal requirements. Check the terms applying to your policy for certainty.
Can I insure a firework display that I am setting off myself?
Yes, provided Category F4 fireworks are not used and you comply with the policy terms and conditions.
Can I arrange bonfire insurance without fireworks?
Yes. Bonfire insurance can be arranged for an organised bonfire without a fireworks display.
Can the policy cover both fireworks and a bonfire?
Yes. Cover can be arranged for an event involving both a fireworks display and a bonfire, subject to the policy conditions.
What conditions apply to the fireworks?
Insurers will usually require fireworks to be obtained from a reputable supplier or manufacturer, meet the relevant safety requirements and carry an appropriate conformity marking. They should not be altered or modified and must be stored safely and in accordance with any applicable requirements. Your policy will detail the full terms, conditions and requirements that apply.
Are sparklers covered?
Public liability policies will often exclude claims arising from handheld sparklers or other handheld pyrotechnic devices.
Can Category F4 fireworks be used?
Category F4 fireworks are for professional use only and are generally excluded from the organiser’s public liability cover. They may still be used at the event when released by a fully insured third-party pyrotechnics contractor.
What safety distances apply to the firework display?
Some policies may require:
– at least 50 metres by 20 metres for your firing area. Beyond this a dropping zone for spent fireworks of 100 metres by 50 metres in the downwind direction;
– spectators are kept back on the opposite side to the dropping zone, at least 25 metres from the firing zone using a physical barrier.
Your policy will detail the specific conditions and requirements that apply.
What conditions apply to a bonfire?
Requirements may include ensuring:
– that any bonfires are kept well away from any fireworks display;
– spectators are kept back at least 20 metres from the bonfire using a physical barrier;
– that any bonfires are at least 50 metres away from any vehicles, premises, flammable or other dangerous materials;
– dangerous rubbish, such as foam-filled furniture, aerosols, tins of paint and bottles is not burned;
– that the bonfire is stable and checked so that it will not fall to one side;
– paraffin, petrol or solvents are not used to light the fire;
– bonfires are kept to a manageable size and additional materials to be burnt kept at a safe distance;
– the bonfire is under the control of a responsible adult, and at least one person oversees all safety arrangements;
– water is poured on the embers of the fire, and the site is not left until the bonfire is out and safe.
Your policy will detail the specific conditions and requirements that apply.
Is a risk assessment required?
Yes, you must carry out a full, documented risk assessment in advance of the event.
Do I need to contact the relevant authorities?
Relevant authorities must be consulted before the event, and any recommendations or instructions given must be complied with.
How far must the event be from a motorway?
Some insurers may require fireworks displays and bonfires to be held at least one mile from a motorway.
Your policy will detail the specific conditions and requirements that apply.
Are stewards, first aiders and firefighting equipment required?
Insurers will usually expect you to:
– provide an adequate number of marshals or stewards to control spectators;
– have fully operational fire-fighting equipment available, such as a hose, fire extinguishers or buckets of water and sand;
– ensure qualified first aiders with suitable equipment are in attendance.
Your policy will detail the specific conditions and requirements that apply.
