It’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt—and if you’re hosting a Super Bowl party next weekend, that “oops” can turn into a costly liability.
Think about the setup: a slick entryway, winter weather, and a guest who’s had one too many. The postgame spike in falls, cuts, and other injuries is common enough that ER and EMS crews have a nickname for it: “Super Bowl Syndrome.”
So if you’re hosting this year, add one more thing to your prep list: a quick review of your homeowners insurance. It might feel like overkill, but that’s kind of the point—good hosting is the same as good football: You do the unglamorous prep so the big day runs smoothly.
A standard homeowners policy often includes built-in protection for guest injuries, but what it covers (and what it doesn’t) depends on which part of the policy applies, how serious the injury is, and whether you’re found responsible.
When a party injury becomes your problem
Your coverage is like a good blocker: It stands between you and a painful financial mess, says Courtney Klosterman, home insights expert at Hippo Insurance.
“Homeowners liability insurance will financially cover you and the members of your household against someone else’s eligible medical bills, legal expenses, lost wages, and other related costs,” she says.
In other words, it’s the part of your homeowners policy that can kick in when a guest gets hurt and you’re found responsible. And most homeowners already have that level of baseline protection.
“Most common homeowners policies, like HO-3 insurance, do include a certain level of personal liabilities insurance protection, though you may still want to purchase additional coverage for even greater peace of mind,” she adds.
It’s that baseline that you want to evaluate ahead of Super Bowl Sunday. If your home has higher-risk features—like a pool, trampoline, or dog—or if you host frequently, it may not be enough to cover your risk exposure. Understanding how insurance companies treat these claims can help you evaluate if you need to raise your coverage.
Coverage E vs. Coverage F: The two buckets that matter
If something does go wrong, homeowners insurance typically funnels a hurt guest scenario into one of two buckets.
Coverage E is the liability lane—think fault, responsibility, and lawsuits. You didn’t salt your icy stairs and your best friend’s boyfriend slips, gets hurt, and sues. This is the coverage that will kick in.
“Personal liability (Coverage E) covers financial loss if you’re liable for someone else’s injuries or property damage,” says Klosterman. If the injured guest argues you were negligent (say, because you didn’t salt your stairs), Coverage E can help you cover the costs of your legal protection and the guests’ medical bills.
“This homeowners coverage can help with the costs if they decide to sue,” she adds, helping to pay for court fees, hospital bills, court awards, pain and suffering, property damage, and anything else you’re responsible for.
On the flip side, Coverage F is the medical payments lane—think minor injuries and goodwill.
“Medical payments (Coverage F) covers minor medical expenses if a guest is injured on your property,” explains Klosterman.
For example, if someone trips over their own feet on the way to the kitchen and ends up needing X-rays, Coverage F may help cover the immediate medical bills, especially when nobody is pointing fingers.
As Klosterman puts it: “For example, if your mother is visiting and accidentally slips down your stairs and breaks her ankle, she may not have any plans to sue you because it wasn’t your fault. … In this case, you could use Coverage F to help her pay for X-rays, doctor visits, and medications up to your policy’s limit.”
Party-proof your house: Simple fixes and when to raise limits
Any football coach worth their salt will tell you that the best defense is a good offense. Hosting is no different. Before guests arrive, do a quick pregame safety sweep: Clear walkways, add extra lighting, and fix anything wobbly, slick, or cracked. A little preparation can prevent injuries and potential claims.
And make sure your liability limits match your real exposure. The more you have to protect—and the more risk you’re bringing into your home—the more you should consider increasing your liability limits or adding an umbrella policy
As Klosterman notes, “To determine how much personal liability coverage you need, you should consider the value of your assets.” That’s especially true if you have anything that could be targeted in a lawsuit or if you regularly entertain.
Your risk profile matters too. A home with stairs, decks, a pool, or a trampoline—and a party full of guests walking around in socks, juggling hot snacks and drinks—is very different from a low-key gathering. Hosting big gatherings regularly only increases the odds that something eventually goes wrong.
And these mishaps aren’t rare: 76% of U.S. homeowners reported that at least one home-related issue impacted their financial stability in 2025, according to Hippo’s Housepower Report.
So before you kick off the big game, remember—good prep and the right coverage can keep your party from turning into a postgame penalty.