Wedding insurance can be a smart investment given the high cost of weddings these days. It can provide coverage for unforeseen circumstances such as vendor no-shows, extreme weather, or sudden illness. However, it’s important to carefully review the policy to understand what is and isn’t covered. This can help ensure that you are adequately protected in case something unexpected happens on your big day.
What Is Wedding Insurance?
Wedding insurance provides financial protection for potential issues that may arise during your special day. There are two main types of wedding insurance available.
- Wedding liability insurance. Liability insurance is an important consideration when planning an event. It can help protect you from unexpected costs that may arise from property damage or injuries that occur during the event. For example, if a guest accidentally damages the venue’s property, liability coverage can help cover the cost of repairs or replacements. It’s a good idea to have liability insurance in place to provide peace of mind and financial protection for your event.
- Wedding cancellation or postponement. Wedding cancellation or postponement insurance is designed to protect you in case your wedding needs to be cancelled or postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. This type of insurance can provide reimbursement for expenses such as venue deposits, catering costs, and other non-refundable fees. It can cover situations such as extreme weather, illness, injury, or vendor bankruptcy. It’s a good idea to consider this type of insurance to protect your investment in your wedding day.
Wedding Insurance Riders
Wedding insurance usually includes coverage for specific situations, and you have the option to purchase additional insurance riders for extra protection. Some common riders that may be offered are:
- Military service. Yes, if you or your partner are in the military or active reserves and are called to duty, a military service rider would cover the costs of rescheduling your event. This rider is designed to provide financial protection in the event that a member of the military is called to duty and needs to postpone their event. It ensures that you won’t incur additional expenses due to unforeseen military obligations. It’s a valuable option to consider when planning a wedding or other significant event.
- Bridal gowns and tuxedos. Yes, that’s correct. The wedding gown or tuxedo rider is an additional coverage option that can be added to your wedding insurance policy. It provides coverage in the event that the store where you purchased your wedding attire goes out of business, leaving you without your clothes or deposit. This rider will help cover the cost of purchasing new wedding attire, ensuring that you are not financially burdened by the unexpected closure of the store. It’s a valuable safeguard to consider when planning your wedding.
- Honeymoon. A honeymoon rider is an additional coverage option that can be added to your travel insurance policy. It provides reimbursement for any non-refundable travel fees, such as flights, accommodations, and activities, in the event that you have to cancel your honeymoon due to inclement weather or illness. This can help protect you from financial loss and provide peace of mind during what should be a joyous and special time. It’s important to carefully review the details of the coverage and any exclusions before purchasing a honeymoon rider to ensure it meets your specific needs.
What Doesn’t Wedding Insurance Cover?
Most wedding insurance policies do not cover all potential mishaps that may occur. It’s important to carefully review the policy terms and exclusions for specific details, as these can vary between different insurers:
- Cost. It’s important to be aware that wedding insurance typically does not cover cancellations or postponements due to cost exceeding your budget. If you find yourself in a situation where you need to scale back or make changes to your wedding plans for financial reasons, it’s unlikely that your insurance policy will reimburse you for lost deposits or other expenses. It’s always best to carefully consider your budget and make informed decisions before making any commitments to vendors or venues.
- Change of heart. It’s important to note that if either you or your partner change your mind about getting married, your insurance policy typically won’t cover the costs resulting from the wedding’s cancellation. It’s always wise to carefully review the terms and conditions of your policy to understand what is and isn’t covered in the event of a cancellation.
- Ordinary bad weather. It’s important to carefully review the specific details of your wedding insurance policy to understand what is and isn’t covered in terms of weather-related cancellations or postponements. If extreme weather conditions are a concern for your wedding day, it may be worth considering a policy that offers broader coverage for weather-related issues.
Make sure to carefully review the terms and exclusions of the policy before making a purchase to ensure you fully understand the coverage and any limitations.
How Much Does Wedding Insurance Cost?
The cost of wedding insurance depends on several factors:
- Your location
- The issuing insurer
- Coverage amounts
- Size of wedding
- Optional riders
In general, a basic cancellation and postponement policy will cost $100 to $500. A general liability policy that provides up to $1 million in coverage for accidents or injuries costs around $125.
Gift Coverage:
A basic wedding insurance policy usually does not cover lost or stolen gifts. However, you have the option to enhance your coverage by adding a wedding gift rider to your insurance plan when purchasing it.
This additional rider ensures that your gifts are protected in case of loss or theft during your wedding.
Breakup Coverage:
Unfortunately, wedding insurance typically does not cover cancellations resulting from a couple splitting up or having a change of heart.
If the wedding is called off due to a breakup, the insurance policy may not provide reimbursement.
Where to Purchase Wedding Insurance:
You can buy wedding insurance from major insurance companies that offer specialized wedding coverage.
Additionally, there are companies specifically dedicated to providing wedding insurance, catering to the unique needs of couples planning their big day.