As a St Augustine wedding photographer and videographer I never really get asked if couples need extra wedding insurance. Of course, every couple wants to believe that their wedding day will run smoothly, but life is often unpredictable, and disasters can strike. While a stained dress or a toppled cake is one thing, sometimes weddings have to be postponed because of hurricanes here in Florida, an illness in the family, or as we all know now, a pandemic such as COVID19.
That’s where wedding insurance can be an incredible life-saver. From stolen gifts to sudden vendor cancellations, wedding insurance can help protect you from the unexpected and offer you peace of mind.
What is wedding insurance?
Just like home insurance protects your house and car insurance protects your vehicle, wedding insurance protects your investment in your wedding day from circumstances that are outside of your control and reimburses your expenses. For example, let’s say your wedding videographer doesn’t show up, and you have to book a new one at the last minute for a much higher price. Or maybe your venue goes out of business not long before your wedding and you’re forced to quickly book a new one and lose out on your deposit. These are the kind of financial losses from which wedding insurance can help protect you.
What types of wedding insurance are there?
There are two main types of wedding insurance: liability and cancellation.
Liability insurance protects you from being responsible for any injuries or accidents that occur during your wedding events, including alcohol-related incidents. Many venues actually require this type of insurance in order to serve liquor.
Cancellation insurance is designed to reimburse you for the money you have spent in the event that your wedding has to be canceled. While this type of insurance covers natural disasters and emergencies, it generally does not cover a change of heart. So, if you decide not to get married, you’ll just be out of luck.
How much does wedding insurance cost?
Just like any other kind of insurance, the cost of wedding insurance varies greatly. A basic insurance policy, which will cover the loss of your dress, images, gifts and deposits, usually falls anywhere between $150 and $600. Be sure to shop around and get different estimates to determine which policy is the best fit for your needs and budget.
When should you purchase wedding insurance?
The sooner in your planning process you can secure insurance, the better. Just be sure to read the fine print as some insurance companies have a limit on far in advance you can purchase a policy.
What does wedding insurance cover?
Most wedding insurance policies cover your venue, inclement weather, vendor no-shows, sickness or injury and postponement due to military or job changes.
Wedding insurance does not cover cold feet or jewelry, such as watches and gemstones. Your wedding bands may be covered, but your engagement ring likely will not and will need a separate insurance policy.
What if you need more coverage?
If you feel that your wedding insurance policy does not cover everything that you want covered, you can purchase additional coverage for specific items, like photography, videography and gifts. You can even insure your honeymoon in case you have to cancel or reschedule your travel.
Every insurance policy and carrier is different, so be sure to talk to your insurance agent and be clear about your needs for your wedding. Make sure to read the fine print and ask for clarification on any items that you are uncertain about. You want to make sure you understand every detail before you purchase your wedding insurance policy.
