Wedding insurance guide

Wedding insurance, also known as event insurance, can help reimburse you for damage or injuries that may occur on your big day – or if you need to postpone the celebration. When you purchase event insurance, you have two coverage options: event cancellation and event liability protection. Here's a look at how those coverages may help protect your wedding day.

Wedding insurance can help cover things like cancellations, accidents, or vendor issues, so that you don't lose money if things go wrong. This way, you can focus on enjoying your special day without worrying about what might happen. Like most insurance policies, a wedding or special event insurance policy is comprised of a variety of coverages, each of which comes with specific offerings of protection.

Event cancellation coverage

Event cancellation coverage may help protect you from financial loss if your event needs to be canceled or postponed for a number of accidental or unexpected reasons. This may include weather that prevents the majority of guests from attending, a serious illness impacting the couple or immediate family, or the bride or groom being called for military deployment. If you have to reschedule your reception because the banquet hall has no power after a big storm, but the caterer has already prepared the food, wedding insurance will typically reimburse you up to your policy's limits for lost deposits and nonrefundable amounts, for both the venue and the food. Pandemics, like COVID, are not a covered reason for event cancellation.

Event cancellation coverage may also help reimburse you for payments to vendors, such as a photographer or DJ, or costs associated with a honeymoon if the wedding is canceled or postponed. And, even if your wedding takes place as scheduled, it may also help provide coverage if your photographs or videos are lost or damaged before you receive copies. The costs to replace lost or damaged wedding gifts, repair or replace special attire and jewelry, like a tuxedo, wedding gown, or rings, may also be covered.

Wedding and event liability coverage

Wedding or event liability coverage may also help protect you if you're found legally responsible for damage to the venue, or an injury to someone at the event. If one of your guests damages a wall at the banquet hall, or if your photographer trips and sprains his ankle trying to get a shot you requested, the resulting repairs or medical bills would likely be covered. Keep in mind that liability coverage is usually limited to a 24- to 48-hour period that ends when the reception is over. Coverage limits may vary by policy, so be sure to read yours so that you know what your insurance covers.

Optional riders for additional coverage

Some policies may offer additional protection for various aspects of your big day. Certain types of special coverage could reimburse you if your wedding is postponed due to deployment. Other types may cover bridal gowns or tuxedos if they’re lost or damaged, as well as damaged or lost jewelry, video, rented party supplies, and more. There may even be special honeymoon coverages that can help protect your trip from issues like cancellations or travel delays.

If you have an existing event insurance policy, read it carefully to understand what sorts of things may be covered. Otherwise, contact your insurer to understand what types of coverages they offer that could protect you on your special day.

While it may be helpful if a vendor goes belly up or you have to postpone your wedding due to severe weather, special event insurance does not cover everything. For example, if there's a mix-up with the cake, wedding insurance is not likely to provide protection. It's also important to note that a change of heart by either the bride or groom is not typically covered, so don't expect to be reimbursed for any expenses you've already incurred or any cancellation fees if the wedding is called off for this reason.

Also, while event liability coverage may help protect equipment rented from your venue, it generally does not cover damage to equipment rented from an outside company.

The cost of wedding insurance depends on a few variables, including but not limited to, the price of the venue, how long the wedding is, number of guests and how much protection you purchase

That said, a wedding insurance policy can start as low as $75, according to Markel. The best way to find out how much your wedding insurance will cost is to get a quote online, for free

The average wedding costs over $30,000, according to The Knot. Aside from purchasing a home, the cost of your wedding may be the biggest investment you ever make. And many feel like it’s worth protecting just in case. Considering the aforementioned costs, it may be worth your while. Vendors may not offer refunds and some venues might even require you to purchase some type of event insurance, says Here Comes the Guide.

If you're eloping or having a small gathering, you may decide you don't need event insurance. If you're having a larger event, though, special event insurance may help give you peace of mind as you invest in your wedding day. Consider talking to your vendors about any insurance coverage they may have, and look into what kinds of liability coverage you may already have through your insurance company, credit cards and warranties.

If you're going to purchase special event insurance, it's a good idea to do it as soon as you start incurring expenses for your wedding. Keep in mind, though, that there may be restrictions on when you can purchase cancellation coverage — often no later than 15 days before the event but no sooner than two years prior. You may be able to purchase liability coverage up to one day prior to the event.

Hopefully your wedding goes off just as you planned, but having special event insurance just in case may ease your mind so you can concentrate on getting ready for your big day.