Wedding insurance is a special kind of event insurance that guards you against financial damage in cases where your wedding day is involved.
These include unanticipated incidents that result in loss or harm at a wedding; severe weather; issues with the location or providers; and other situations that can make it impossible for your wedding to take place.
Wedding Insurance: An Example
Wedding insurance, like other types of event insurance, is designed to guard you against a variety of potential losses related to your special day. These occurrences typically fall under cancellation or liability coverage.
You might opt for a policy that provides $25,000 in coverage for bad weather-related costs. If you need to purchase a tent before your wedding due to an unforeseen storm, your insurance will send you a check to cover the expense.
The Operation of Wedding Insurance
When you set up your wedding insurance policy, you must select your coverage limits and deductibles. These will decide the cost of your policy, the occurrences it will cover, and the out-of-pocket expenses you'll incur if something actually does happen.
Different Coverages
You can select the levels of coverage you desire for particular things from some insurance companies' tailored packages. Others offer protection based on a bundle.
To find the best deal for your needs, compare several possibilities.
Coverage for Liability
Before purchasing wedding insurance, always check with the venue to see if it covers event liability. On the day of the event, this would offer crucial protection.
If the venue doesn't hold liability insurance, you might need to provide your own. Liability insurance for wedding events may cover a variety of things, including property damage, bodily injury, or both.
Depending on your choice of venue and the restrictions in your state, you might also wish to buy host liquor liability insurance. This applies to instances involving alcohol for which you might be held responsible. 1. Some wedding liability insurance providers will automatically include this in their coverage. Others will demand that you pay extra to add it.
Cancellation Insurance
The cost of having to postpone or cancel your wedding due to a number of frequently occurring circumstances is covered by wedding cancellation coverage.
Many of these situations are covered by wedding cancellation insurance, so if you choose to purchase liability-only coverage, they won't be covered. However, they might be optional add-ons for a liability plan:
- Vendor problems (revoked permits, bankruptcy, or failures).
- People becoming ill or wounded
- The venue has been damaged in a way that prevents use.
- Unusual weather
- Deployment of forces
- Coverage for wedding clothing or dress damage.
If you suddenly discover that you cannot afford your wedding, wedding insurance typically does not cover you.
Some wedding insurance policies may cover this situation if the lack of finances results from an unexpected job loss after you have purchased your cancellation coverage. If this is a worry for you, inquire about how each wedding insurance provider regards this risk.
Insurance for weddings is typically for uncontrollable circumstances. It doesn't cover situations where one or both prospective spouses back out of a wedding due to second thoughts.
Wedsure is an exception to this rule, but even then, it only offers its restricted "Change of Heart" coverage as a supplement to the cancellation insurance plan. The bride or groom is not compensated.
Only when the wedding is paid for by a third party who was not involved in the cancellation decision is this coverage applies. Additionally, if the change of heart happens less than 365 days prior to the first covered occurrence, the policy won't pay.
Some wedding insurance companies may or may not cover military deployment, but if they do, they normally disclose it. Military personnel can get cancellation insurance from USAA that covers deployment.
Should I insure my wedding?
There is a history of claims for different cancellation problems being reimbursed. The causes of the claims tend to change from year to year, but evidence indicates that cancellation insurance is frequently helpful.
The following information about claims submitted in 2019 was published by AON, a supplier of wedding insurance under the WedSafe line:
- For venue property damage, 23%
- 18% for mishaps or injuries
- 16 percent is for issues with vendors.
- 5% for damage, theft, or loss.
A wedding requires much preparation and planning, and a wedding insurance provider is knowledgeable about all the potential problems. When you have a policy, you defend your family, your spouse, and yourself against substantial potential losses.
The cost of wedding insurance is quite low in comparison to the expense of the wedding and the risks involved. It's at least worth talking about it with your partner and anyone else who has put money into the wedding.
Some wedding insurance policies limit your protection from responsibility to only the day or evening of the event, while others cover you for up to 24 hours.
Ask any prospective insurer how many events they cover and what happens if your wedding lasts until midnight and you have rehearsal dinners or other activities scheduled.
Wedding Insurance Alternatives
Since wedding insurance is not personal insurance, it is not automatically covered by your home insurance.
To assist you in obtaining the appropriate insurance coverage for your event, several home insurance companies might be able to supply riders or event liability plans.
Your personal liabilities and personal goods are covered by homeowner's insurance. Ask your insurer what happens if gifts are taken or if you lose your grandmother's priceless jewelry while you're wearing it during the wedding.
These incidents might be protected, but your policy's deductible might apply. Some credit cards might also cover specific losses.
The conclusion
When evaluating coverage alternatives, be sure to ask the venue what it covers and make sure to ask the important questions. Ask your homeowners' insurance provider to learn what it covers or whether you may add a rider to your policy.
If your parents are paying for a portion or all of the wedding or venue fees, ask them to check with their homeowners' insurance provider to see if they have any coverage.
Make sure you understand what each insurance company will cover and under what circumstances by comparing their coverages.
Main Points
Your ceremony and reception-related losses are covered by wedding insurance.
As with most insurance policies, there are coverage restrictions and deductibles.
If someone is hurt or their property is harmed, liability coverage will protect you.
If you have to postpone or cancel your wedding, cancellation coverage may be applicable, but not always. The triggering event must be uncontrollable. Depending on the insurance, military deployment may or may not be covered.