Wedding Insurance | Do You Really Need It? - Green-Eyed Girl Productions (2024)

Hey there, Bride to Be. We’re digging into another one of those topics that are hard to think about. Wedding Insurance. It’s one of those things you want to have and not need rather than need and not have, BIG TIME. Of course, if you have to use it that means something went wrong. But that’s the nature of insurance and it is my job to go over all the possible circ*mstances of your wedding day that could lead to a possible Wedding Insurance claim. After all, you’re paying me to think of everything for you right? 😉 Let’s get to it then…

What Is Wedding Insurance?

Wedding Insurance protects you from circ*mstances out of your control and reimburses expenses. Now that’s a bold claim, isn’t it? What is considered out of your control? Well, consider this: Your reception space goes out of business before the wedding, you lose your deposit and have to book another space. Or, some global catastrophe happens and the dress you ordered doesn’t arrive on time. You then must buy another dress off the rack at twice the price. These are the types of wedding day financial losses that wedding insurance can help to protect.

Why Get Wedding Insurance?

Why do you buy any insurance? To protect you from the unpredictable and unspeakable. Wedding Insurance is the same. Some weddings cost more or the same as buying a new car. {have you looked up the average wedding cost for Mew Jersey? I’m not joking} You’re going to insure your car right? Of course, you are. You need to protect your investment. If you’re spending $10k to $50k on your wedding, that is an investment worth protecting. The most common reason to claim your insurance is Postponement or Cancellation. You, of course, think everything is going to go smoothly, and I want to believe that for you too… but remember, it’s for things out of your control.

What are the biggest benefits?

One- some venues require a very basic liability coverage policy just to use the venue. Two- it ensures you’ll receive some form of reimbursem*nt for what you’ve already paid. Cancellation coverage, depending on your policy, could reimburse you up to the total cost of your wedding.However, some insurance companies require that you first check to see if postponement, delay, or relocation is an option before they reimburse you for canceling.

Do You Really Need Wedding Insurance?

Before you buy wedding insurance, check with all your vendors. For example, your Venue and Caterer may already have their own insurance. You wouldn’t want to pay for overlapping coverage out of your own pocket. Ask your vendors for a copy of their policy, and then figure out where you need to fill in where they aren’t fully covered.

Be honest… did you think to ask your vendors about their insurance? Best believe that question is on every list to ask your vendors in my Vendor Interview Book!

When Should You Get Wedding Insurance?

The sooner the better. Let’s say you put a deposit on your wedding reception venue 12 months prior to your wedding date. Sadly, it burns down a few weeks before the big day. With wedding insurance, you’ll be sure to get your deposit back. But note: Most insurance companies have limitations on how far in advance you can purchase insurance.

How Much Does Wedding Insurance Cost?

Not all policies are created equal. If you’re having that $50k wedding you’re going to need more than the bride with a $10k wedding. Basic insurance policies that cover loss of photos, videos, attire, gifts, rings, and deposits usually cost anywhere between $155 and $550, depending on the amount of coverage you want. General liability insurance, which covers up to $1,000,000 for accidents, costs around $185.{Liability is the policy we’re discussing for Project Block 9…}

What Does Wedding Insurance Cover?

There are TWO types of policies you can opt for, the first being liability insurance. If something happens that’s out of your control, “that you’re not liable for” it’s going to protect you. Take note that specific coverage varies in every policy and you should have someone explain back to you what you’re paying for.

Liability Insurance

This is the one that venues are going to ask you to provide proof of. Most policies include the following:

• Guest injuries
• Liquor liability
• Vendor issues
• Lost or stolen items
• Damage to the venue

Cancellation Coverage

You will need to specifically ask for and reiterate you want this on your policy. Some plans will include cancellations, but you need to triple check. It will increase the price of your policy if it isn’t already in the quote. Cancellation and postponement protection covers you in the event your wedding cannot be held on the day it was scheduled. However, it must be due to circ*mstances out of your control. These circ*mstances can be anything from inclement weather to family emergencies.

Never assume your plan already includes cancellation protection. Ask a lot of questions when discussing coverage with an agent— even the ones that may seem obvious.

READ MORE: Article from Brides.com- Need to Postpone (or Cancel) Your Wedding? Here’s How to Do It

Wedding insurance can cover more than the wedding itself. You can structure your liability coverage to include events within 48 hours of the wedding (like the rehearsal dinner or day-after brunch) as well as deliverables from your vendors (like the cake, flowers, or dress). All of the things you may be writing checks for throughout the planning process can be insured, you just have to write it into the policy.

What is Beyond your Control

Problems with the site, weather, vendors, key people, sickness or injury are the top concerns come wedding day. There’s usually a specified maximum amount, which can be claimed under each section, and a deductible also applies. Be sure to find out the details of your insurance plan.

• Weather: Any weather conditions which prevent the couple, any relative whose presence at the wedding is essential or the majority of the guests from reaching the premises where the wedding is to take place. The insurance covers rescheduling the wedding and all the details involved, including ceremony flowers, tent rental, and reception food.
• Vendor no-show: What if essential wedding people—the caterer or the officiant, for example—fail to show up? A wedding insurance policy usually covers cancellation or postponement of the wedding for these reasons.
• Sickness or Injury: Wedding insurance may also include sickness or injury to the couple or anyone essential to the wedding.
• Military or job: It’s true, military personnel may be shipped out at a moment’s notice. Wedding insurance can cover the postponement of the wedding due to a bride or groom suddenly getting called to military duty. This can also apply to a last-minute corporate move like the bride’s company suddenly relocates her to another city.

Wedding Insurance Doesn’t Cover…

Your insurance will not cover “choices” like cold feet or having a falling out with the venue and wanting to change sites. It might be a hard choice, but still a choice. Here’s another BIG one facing us right now…

If you choose to postpone but are not forced to, it may not be covered in your cancellation policy. If your venue is open and there is no reason you “can’t” have the wedding, other than not wanting to social distance and wear a mask with your dress, claims for cancellation may be denied. What’s more, is some agencies may reject any claims for a pandemic. You’ll need to ask and read!

COVID-19 Policy Exceptions

• A change of heart. In other words, cold feet don’t count.
• Watches, jewelry, or semi-precious gemstones or pearls (even if they are attached to clothing) may not be covered.
• While your wedding rings may be covered by the policy, your engagement ring probably will not.
• Canceled flights- that is on the airline!

Things to Consider

Every insurance policy and every wedding scenario is different. Be sure to talk to your insurance agent and have him/her explain it to you. You want to make sure you understand every detail of your policy.

Also, I am NOT an insurance agent. This article is written based on the information I found through research. Please note that all insurance policies must be written to include the coverage I mention. Assume nothing. If I can leave you with one final piece of advice, assume you have no coverage and go talk to an actual agent TODAY.

Go through your Home Owners/Renters Insurance company FIRST. You know them and they know you. I strongly recommend you go in and talk to an actual human about this who knows way more than I do. If you cannot go through your own company, here are some online suggestions:

Online Wedding Insurance Companies

None of these companies below are affiliates of mine. I will not make a cent of commission if you go through them. Nor have they paid me to share their link with you. I found these on my own through research and reviews:

• Wedsure: Best Overall Wedding Insurance Coverage
• Travelers Wedding Protection Plan: Best Insurance for Destination Weddings
• eWed Insurance: Fastest Underwriting
• EventHelper: Best Wedding Insurance Customer Service
• WedSafe: Best for Certificates of Insurance
• Markel Insurance: Best for Liability Coverage

Wedding Insurance is one of the first things on yourUltimate Wedding Planning Checklist. It should be done as soon as you book a venue. However, if there’s anything we’ve learned over the years, it’s to expect the unexpected. Hosting a wedding is not only a financial investment but an emotional one as well, and when you think about all the costs involved in a wedding, Wedding Insurance should be a top priority.

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Hi there! I’m Kandice, Owner of Green-Eyed Girl Productions and engineer of The Project Block System. Thank you so much for stopping in on this blog post! Join hundreds of Bride who have worked through The Project Block System while planning their Wedding. Our Team Experience is now FREE to everyone planning a wedding during this chaotic and confusing time.

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