Minnesota cities often allow individuals and groups to use or rent municipal-owned facilities. Sometimes, though, the city and event organizer may be sued if someone is injured at the event. Regardless of the merit, these claims can be time consuming and costly.
To help cities avoid these situations, LMCIT now offers a program called TULIP - the Tenant User Liability Program.
The program helps individuals and groups - called tenant users - protect themselves and their guests at events held at city-owned facilities. Minnesota cities automatically are eligible to offer TULIP to tenant users, at no cost to the city.
How it works
Tenant users purchase coverage online from HUB International through the Entertainment Brokers International (EBI) website.
The tenant user enters event information into the secure web site and an instant quote is generated. Coverage can be purchased online with a credit card.
The cost for TULIP is based upon the type of event, number of people attending, event length, and several other factors. Coverage for most events is between $75 and $150 for $1 million of protection.
A certificate of insurance then is sent to the tenant user. A copy is sent to the city, and the city is listed as an additional insured.
Covered events
TULIP provides private individuals and groups with access to low-cost liability coverage of as much as $1 million for special events held at city facilities, such as:
Liquor liability coverage also is available through TULIP.
A full list of covered events is available on EBI's TULIP website at www.ebi-ins.com/tulip. A list of Rates and Eligible Events also is available.
City role
The city’s role is simple. When an individual or group asks to use or rent a city facility, city staff:
After a tenant user purchases coverage, a copy of the certificate of insurance is emailed to the tenant user. A copy of the certificate also is sent to the city contact. And, the city is automatically named as an additional insured.
Cities do not have to promote the TULIP program, or require tenant users to purchase TULIP. That’s a local decision. The only way a tenant user will know about TULIP is if the city chooses to share the information – either as an option for tenant users or as a mandatory component of using a municipal facility.
To assist cities allowing private use of their facilities, LMCIT is developing a sample contract and a facility rental application that is applicable with or without TULIP.
Model
LMCIT Model Community Center Rental Documents (pdf)
TULIP Program Information
Download TULIP flyer for tenant users (pdf)
Rates and Eligible Events (pdf)
Insurance Issues for Use of City Facilities (pdf)
Resources for City Special Events
Alcohol In The City: Liability And Insurance Issues (pdf)
Special Events Loss Control Guidelines (pdf)
Liability Coverage for Special Events (pdf)
LMCIT Liquor Liability Coverage (pdf)
Laura Honeck
LMCIT Program Assistant
(651) 281-1280 or (800) 925-1122
lhoneck@lmc.org
Use LMCIT's Model Community Center Rental Documents to help navigate use of municipal facilities by private individuals and groups.