Ecclesiastical publishes the following guidance to groups preparing for events planned for late 2010/ early 2011:
"We appreciate that due to the adverse weather conditions which are currently gripping the whole country there is a real need to consider whether public events should take place due to safety concerns.
There is cover under the abandonment section of the Making Music insurance policy for such a scenario which provides cover for irrecoverable expenses incurred due to the cancellation of any performance, workshop or conference which is promoted by the society. The cover under this section of the policy does however exclude cancellation due to “weather conditions unless such weather conditions render fulfilment of the event as being dangerous and irresponsible having consideration to life and limb”.
Unfortunately under the terms of the insurance policy there is no cover for the loss of revenue which would arise following the cancellation of a concert / performance.
We would normally expect that the cancellation of a concert /performance is the last resort and that in the first instance the music group should look to explore whether it would be possible to postpone the concert for an alternative date. If postponement is not possible then on the basis the concert / performance is cancelled there is cover under the terms of this insurance policy for this scenario.
We would rely upon the judgement of the music group for its reasoning behind cancelling the concert / performance where this proves to be necessary but we would expect such decisions to be made within 5 days of the concert / performance. For decisions to cancel made more than 5 days in advance we would require the music group to provide us with their rationale behind such a decision."
