As you and your beloved make arrangements for your special day, you might not have thought to include wedding insurance in your budget. However, more couples are opting to purchase policies to handle everything from minor unexpected goof-ups to last-minute disasters. It doesn’t hurt to consider including it in your planning, but it’s crucial to do a little homework first before paying any money. You need to know the low-down on what most policies cover as well as what your vendors already provide before purchasing this kind of specialized risk protection.
Coverage for Minor and Major Losses
Nearly all major insurance companies operating in the United States offer wedding insurance. They’re usually categorized as special event policies, drafted to reimburse you monetarily for necessary cancellations, as well as liability claims for property damage and injuries. Most specify maximum dollar amounts that they will pay out for losses and feature a small deductible.
What types of losses do these policies cover? Some examples include accidents, inclement weather, military deployments that force postponement of the nuptials, lost items related to the event or negligence by vendors. For instance, if a hurricane puts the kibosh on your destination wedding, you'd be recompensed for the extra expenses of rescheduling. It might also pay you for attire lost in your air travel baggage, or if someone’s pet puppy decides to chow down on the wedding cake. Nevertheless, there are some incidents that this type of insurance does not cover: jewelry other than wedding rings, gemstones attached to wedding apparel or cancellations due to cold feet.
Do I Really Need It?
Opinions differ greatly as to whether you and your future spouse should invest in wedding insurance. TheKnot contributor Julie Komorn suggests reviewing your vendor’s contracts and liability coverage before purchasing any coverage. Huffington Post columnist and wedding planner Sandy Malone advises that it may be a good idea for some newlyweds-to-be, but recommends researching the benefits and costs first. If you and your future spouse are doing the arrangements on your own, having such a policy might prove to be a lifesaver. You’ll be able to recoup your costs in case a vendor cancels, doesn't show or suddenly goes out of business. Otherwise, Malone suggests asking your wedding planner for his or her input before buying a policy.
What About Unruly Guests?
While many people don’t have to worry about disorderly conduct at their wedding, there is always the chance it could happen. Malone related in her Huffington Post article that her colleagues in the industry have seen an uptick in instances of inebriated, destructive wedding attendees. Since their intoxication results in impaired judgment, it’s not hard to imagine rowdy behavior such as throwing food, destroying expensive equipment, removing articles of their own clothing or (quelle horreur!) delivering an uppercut to the bride’s jaw. That’s just a short survey of horrific drunken guest behavior as reported by a 2012 Huffington Post slideshow, but your wedding insurance may not reimburse you for damages from such antics. Check your policy to be certain, and consider having a dry reception or leaving potential offenders off your guest list if you’re concerned about serious shenanigans.
Is Wedding Insurance Worth Your Extra Dime?
If you’re wondering whether you should dole out additional greenbacks for nuptial day coverage, the short answer is: it depends. You’ll need to evaluate your own situation as well as look at any insurance your vendors or planner already carries. If you’re having a destination wedding, you expect higher-than-normal risks, or you’re planning the whole affair on your own, it might not hurt to invest the extra dollars for a policy. Be careful to scrutinize it and make sure it’s satisfactory to your standards before paying any money.
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