What Protections Does Wedding Insurance Offer?

Wedding insurance protects a couple’s investment in the event of circumstances outside their control and provides reimbursement for incurred expenses.

Typical Wedding Insurance Coverage Options

Most wedding insurance policies will cover the following losses: 

• Venue: Covers the costs of unavoidable cancellation (damage to the venue) and if the venue is in an unusable condition. Some policies will also cover the rehearsal dinner site as well.
• Weather: If weather conditions prevent the couple or relatives whose presence is essential to the wedding or a majority of the guests from arriving to the wedding site, the policy reimburses the cost of rescheduling the event, including all details, such as flowers and food.
• Attire: Pays to repair or replace special attire that is lost, stolen or damaged.
• Military or job transfer: Provides for the postponement of the wedding due to a bride or groom being called into military duty or forced to make a last-minute job transfer.

Optional wedding insurance coverages:

• Photography: Cost of retaking photographs if the photographer fails to show up or if image negatives are lost, stolen or damaged.
• Videographer: Video montage creation, video compilation of photographs or retaking the video using restaging techniques if the video is damaged.
• Gifts: Cost of repairing or replacing non-monetary gifts that are lost, stolen or damaged.
• Personal liability: Bodily injury or property damage caused by accidents that occur during the wedding is covered.
• Honeymoon: Certain policies include optional travel insurance for the honeymoon.

Each of these categories will have its own coverage limits and deductibles.

Download our wedding insurance coverage brochure which lists typical options to help you to plan for and protect your special day.

Top Wedding Claims

Travelers compiled data of some of the most common wedding insurance claims:

• 30% for venue issues
• 29% resulted from injury or illness
• 15% due to disruptive weather

Insuring A Wedding That Is Outside Of The United States

You may purchase coverage for weddings in the following locations at no additional cost: 

• The U.S., its territories and possessions
• Puerto Rico
• Canada
• United Kingdom
• Mexico
• Bermuda
• The Bahamas
• Turks & Caicos
• The Caribbean Islands (excluding Cuba & Haiti)
• Cruise ships leaving from a port in any of these locations

Note: Extreme weather exclusions apply to cancellation or postponement of the wedding/event if they occur less than 15 days after the policy inception date.

How Much Wedding Insurance Do You Need?

Consider choosing a coverage level at least equal to the amount you would lose if you were forced to reschedule your wedding at the last minute. It is best to purchase coverage as soon as you begin making wedding deposits and purchases. Calculate the cost of all purchases and deposits that you have made for your venue, gown, wedding rings, caterers, entertainment, flowers, cake, invitations, postage and more. Be sure to retain all of your receipts.

Is Wedding Insurance Worth It?

If there is a very low likelihood that something will occur, you may not need coverage to handle the risks of a cancelled wedding. If you're working with a venue that offers wedding packages and that vendor fails to deliver based on your contract, the losses may be fully refundable, but you may be required to purchase liability coverage. (A contract is critical to ensuring recovery of costs.)

The value of wedding insurance depends on your wedding costs and the coverage limits you elect. The average cost of bundled liability and wedding cancellation/postponement coverage is currently about $455 for a small wedding ($10,000 coverage) to $700 for a larger wedding ($80,000 coverage). Plan on about half that amount if your venue is insured but requires a separate liability policy.

Protect you and your loved ones against wedding day mishaps. Talk with one of our knowledgeable independent agents who will help you create a wedding insurance policy that addresses your individual needs and budget.

Learn how the Wedding Protector Plan* can insure your wedding against the unexpected. Call or email us for a quote.

*All statements herein are subject to the provisions, exclusions and conditions of the applicable policy. For an actual description of all coverages, terms and conditions, refer to the insurance policy. Coverages are subject to individual insureds meeting our underwriting qualifications and to state availability. The Wedding Protector Plan is provided by Baldwin | Welsh & Parker and Travelers Insurance.

Sources: Travelers Insurance, ValuePenguin, Zywave