It’s the start of a brand new year and I don’t doubt that many couples celebrated Christmas or the New Year by making that special promise to one another and getting engaged. If this is you then you may be planning to get that ring on your finger as soon as possible and are therefore planning a wedding for 2023.
If that’s the case then, first of all, let me say CONGRATULATIONS; what a special and memorable journey this is going to be. But, before you walk down the aisle and indulge in the celebrations, I also have a cautionary word for you; you’re going to need wedding insurance.
The way that wedding insurance providers have worked over the last few years has been more different than ever. With the Covid pandemic, a lot of insurers shut down completely since the potential for claims would have been at an all time high. Companies would have been paying out far more than they ever would have made in premiums.
In this guide, I want to talk about the ins and outs of buying wedding insurance in 2023 and what to expect.
What Is Wedding Insurance And Is It Important?
The importance of wedding insurance cannot be understated. I say it time and again; the miniscule cost of wedding insurance is a drop in the ocean compared to what you could stand to lose in the event that something goes wrong.
We all want our big day to go without a hitch (at least any other kind than actually getting hitched) but it’s an unfortunate truth that we cannot plan for everything. There are instances where a wedding may no longer be able to go ahead through no fault of the bride and groom. For example, something like unexpected illness, severe weather, fire or damage to the venue and many other reasons.
You might also experience problems with your wedding suppliers who may not uphold their end of the bargain; cars not turning up, cakes and outfits being damaged, photographs not turning out properly, caterers not turning up. It sounds like the stuff of nightmares and it truly is for the happy couple. However, having wedding insurance in place gives you the peace of mind that these costs will be covered and you won’t be out of pocket.
Different wedding insurance packages cover different things but the idea is the same. You pay a premium which is clearly laid out and paid for at the beginning of your purchase. Your wedding insurance provider will explain what is covered and whether there are any limitations and then, in the event that you need to make a claim, your insurer will cover the costs.
With all that said, there may be some instances where wedding insurance is not necessary. Let’s say you’re hosting a very small and intimate event and have an agreement with the venue that covers any financial situations, you might not need the hassle of making a claim.
How Much Does Wedding Insurance Cost In 2023?
The price of wedding insurance can vary greatly depending on the amount of cover you’re looking for. Some plans start from as little as £47.50 from WedInsure whereas others can cost a few hundred pounds if you’re looking for a greater amount of cover.
Most wedding insurance websites will have a page that contains information on the various plans and how much they’ll cost as well as what is covered.
When Do I Need To Buy Wedding Insurance?
If you’ve decided to tie the knot in 2023 and have set a date then it’s time to start looking for wedding insurance policies. The sooner you can cover your special day, the better. In most cases, you have two years from the date of purchasing your policy to get married so you’ve got plenty of time to plan ahead.
What Is Covered By Wedding Insurance?
As I mentioned earlier, different packages and different insurers offer different things in their wedding insurance. It’s really important to check whether you are covered for everything you need as some providers also include added extras in some of their more expensive packages. For example, some companies don’t offer public liability in their basic package but do in their top tier insurance.
Moreover, while it’s not incredibly common, there are some wedding insurance providers that offer separate cover for your honeymoon or if your wedding is happening abroad. But as I said, this isn’t the norm so if you are getting married outside the UK then you must make sure that this is covered or that you take our separate insurance for this.
Generally speaking, you can expect your wedding insurance package to cover the following:
- Cancellation because of problems with the venue such as flood or fire damage, closure of the venue or the venue no longer being able to take your booking.
- Cancellation of close family members or bridal party guests due to illness, surgery or death as well as jury service. However, do keep in mind that any pre-existing conditions may not be covered by this.
- Cancellation due to weather where more than 50% of the guests are unable to attend because of adverse weather conditions.
- Damaged, stolen or lost items such as attire, rings (not engagement rings), flowers, cakes and gifts.
- Suppliers failing to show up or producing damaged items.
- Faults or issues with wedding photography or videos.
- Personal liability and legal costs.
Are There Any Things That My Wedding Insurance Won’t Cover
In the previous section, I talked about some of the things that aren’t usually covered by wedding insurance. Therefore, if you have specific requirements, it is always best to call the company and speak to an advisor who will be able to tell you if anything is excluded. What’s more, there may be caveats to certain things such as unattended wedding gifts being stolen and these may not be covered.
The most common question, however, is whether you can claim if your partner gets cold feet. While this is a devastating turn of events, it isn’t covered by your wedding insurance as this is a willing decision to not go through with the wedding.
Is Coronavirus Covered By My Wedding Insurance?
Earlier I talked about how wedding insurers during the pandemic ceased or offered very limited policies. The reason for this was that so many weddings were being cancelled that it would not have been profitable for companies to have continued offering cover. However, we are starting to see more and more insurers opening back up such as weddingplaninsurance.co.uk who are starting to offer new policies later this month.
This makes sense but we’re now almost three years past the start of the pandemic so what does that mean for your wedding cover?
Well, the good news is that some wedding insurance providers are now looking at offering covid cover. This is far from being a widespread thing at the moment but it’s possible that more providers will get on board over time.
Making A Claim On Wedding Insurance In 2023
I’d like to think that you wouldn’t need to make a claim as while you will get your money back, the hassle and upset that things going wrong can cause is always difficult.
That’s why I’d always suggest choosing a provider who makes it easy to make a claim as this will take away a lot of the stress.
You’ll usually find that you need to fill in a claim form and your insurance provider may also ask for proof which may include things like photographs and receipts. Once you have given all of the requested information, your insurer will handle the rest and you will then receive a sum of money.
How much you get will depend on the value of the items you’re claiming for. If the entire wedding has to be cancelled then you’ll receive a much larger sum than if you were just claiming for a lost wedding cake.
Wedding Insurance FAQs
Will my wedding be covered if it is abroad?
Some wedding insurance providers offer cover for weddings taking place outside the UK but this is not a standard thing. Speak to your provider to be clear on what is covered.
Do wedding insurers cover civil ceremonies?
Yes. Most wedding insurance providers also cover other types of events like civil ceremonies.
Can I make a claim if my partner gets cold feet?
No. Wedding insurance only covers events outside of your control. One member of the couple cancelling because they no longer wish to get married is a conscious decision and therefore not covered.
Do I really need wedding insurance?
If it’s a very small and inexpensive wedding then you might not need cover although a basic package could give you some peace of mind. For the average wedding, it is advised to take out cover as this can save a lot of financial hardship should anything go wrong.
Is Covid-19 covered by wedding insurance?
While most wedding insurers do not offer covid cover, there are a few that are starting to consider this.
How much will my wedding be insured for?
The total amount of cover you can claim will be detailed in your package and this amount will differ depending on the package you have taken out. For more coverage, you’ll have to pay a higher premium.
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