How to Compare and Choose the Best Wedding Insurance Policy

You’re engaged, your dream day is approaching and you have spent months, perhaps years planning this blessed event. So why wouldn’t you want to protect yourself? Fingers crossed, everything will go without a hitch. However, there could always be a nightmare lurking on the horizon. We’ve all seen disastrous wedding comedies that have a drunken Uncle Harry falling headfirst into the wedding cake…or worse!

After spending so much on this special day, why not protect yourself?

This is where wedding insurance can help. You owe it to yourself and your loved ones to be financially protected. This insurance is intended to cover you in case things don’t go exactly as planned. And we all know things can go wrong! With weddings costing anywhere from hundreds to tens of thousands, wedding insurance can give you the peace of mind you need starting as little as £50.

So what exactly does wedding insurance cover? That would depend on what you personally need to be covered as most policies offer different levels and options that are tailored to fit your wedding plans.

We have compared wedding insurance from the top providers in the UK and found that most wedding insurance providers offer standard set of policies that cover you for conditions that are out of your control. While policies vary, a good wedding insurance policy will reimburse you for the following circumstances:

• Cancellation or rearrangement of the wedding or reception due to accident, illness or bereavement within the main wedding party.
• Cancellation or rearrangement due to supplier failure.
• Failure to receive supplies and/or damage to the flowers, cake, catering, etc.
• Damage to the wedding attire – Brides dress, bridesmaids or groomsmen.
• Loss of wedding rings.
• Photography and video.
• Wedding transport.
• Essential documents and stationary.
• Personal liability and legal expenses.

If you have to reschedule your wedding, this feature of wedding insurance will cover the price of rebooking or rearrangement of suppliers. Please note that many wedding insurers will only cover a fraction of these costs and it is always advisable to check what the maximum amount you could claim is before you commit to any insurance policy.

Remember that your wedding insurance provider will only pay out if you are forced to postpone your wedding for reasons outside your control. Find out precisely what conditions an insurer will cover before you commit to a policy so that you know precisely what and when you’ll be able to make a claim “if” needed.

Together with cover for cancellation and rearrangement you’ll need to make sure that the wedding cover you choose is sufficient to protect you financially against disappointment from suppliers. If a supplier of goods or services that you’ve booked for your wedding goes into liquidation, becomes bankrupt or lets you down on your wedding day this feature of wedding insurance is designed to compensate you for those losses.

Check the fine print and ask questions to the insurance company. It is vital that you are fully protected if your supplier doesn’t deliver. This is costly and you need to know how much and exactly what you will or not be paid for. It is improbable that you will be covered because you are displeased with the goods or services provided.

Another option to check into is for the shining star of the day – your wedding dress. Most policies will compensate you for damage or loss of the dress up to the blessed day, but after that you are fully liable. Some companies might cover the amount spent on the dress so that in case of an emergency, you can get a substitution, but again, ask what the policy entails.

You can also insure against loss and damage to your wedding party’s outfits too as well as the necessary accessories like shoes, jewelry, ties, hats and hairpieces. Ask exactly what is covered, what receipts you need to keep and what time frame you would be compensated for.

The second most important items are the rings. We have all seen where the best man reaches in and comes out empty handed. The rings are gone! While we laugh in the movies, in real life the expense for this jewellery can be staggering. You need to know if your insurance provider will cover loss or damage to the bride and groom’s wedding rings. Sometimes this coverage tends to be restricted to a week or so before the wedding, so check when this period of cover applies and whether the amount of the policy will cover the replacement of rings.

Most insurance policies will pay out if your wedding photographer or videographer doesn’t turn up. Most will pay if the photos or videos they take are lost, damaged or simply don’t turn out. You are never covered if it was the person’s equipment was faulty – in which case their insurance should pay out. Photographers and videographers come with a hefty price tag, so if you’ve spent a significant amount of money paying someone to capture your wedding on film it’s essential that you’re financially protected if they don’t deliver.

Public Liability and Legal Expenses

If someone happens to get hurt at your wedding, or if either the location or goods appointed by a supplier are damaged by a member of your wedding party this section of wedding event insurance will compensate you. If you are unable to resolve the issues with the suppliers, legal expenses coverage will provide you access to legal advice. It is comforting to know that if you do have a problem there is someone to assist you get the compensation you deserve. This type of coverage is usually an add-on.

When will I be covered?

There is a maximum period before and after the wedding during which the wedding insurance will be in effect; this tends to be around two years before the event to give you time to plan, and several days afterwards. Before you take out an insurance policy, make sure you confirm when the coverage will start and how long it will be valid.

Always verify whether bookings that you’ve already put down a deposit on will be covered by any wedding insurance policy that you’re taking into consideration.

How to compare wedding insurance

When you’re looking for wedding insurance quotes, always look for the wedding insurance policy that offers the coverage you need – nothing extra. Why should you pay for something that you will never use?

If you’re in the early stages of wedding planning, it is best to sit down and itemise your expenses. You will need to do this so that you can figure out exactly how much insurance you will need, especially when you are doing price comparisons. Having a ballpark figure in mind will not only help you now, it will help you in the long run and once everything is finalised, most wedding insurance companies will allow you to increase your level of coverage. Although it might come at an extra cost, it will be worthwhile in the end knowing you are fully protected.

After you have sat down and gone through your list, all you have to do is your homework. It will be the only way you will find the right insurance policy that will cover all your needs at the right price. By comparison shopping, you will get the best value for your money and be protect when your wonderful day finally arrives!

One last important thing to note is that there are things that you won’t be covered for (see below). If anything like this happens you will be legally responsible for all the costs. It is always suggested that you check your policy wording to see what is and isn’t covered.

• You change your mind.
• You don’t have enough money to proceed.
• There is damage to wedding garments due to cleaning.
• Burglary.

So remember, do your research and compare wedding insurance plans. Wedding are expensive and you have worked hard for every penny. Take your time and find the best coverage that will suit not only your needs but cover you completely on your important day.