Wedding Insurance FAQs

Premiums range from around £20 for smaller weddings up to £400-£500 for larger celebrations.

The price will depend on the level of cover, any selected optional extras and the insurer. Wedding insurance policies start from a relatively low one-off cost, with higher cover levels costing more.

Yes. The price quoted is usually a single one-off payment to cover your whole event.

Once purchased, the policy usually covers your wedding planning period and the wedding day itself, subject to the terms, limits and exclusions of the policy.

You should really think about taking out wedding insurance before you start paying for any deposits.

Many policies can be taken out up to 24 months before the big day. Buying early means your deposits and other payments can be protected sooner, provided you aren't already aware of anything that might lead to a claim.

Yes, it may still be possible to buy wedding insurance close to your wedding date, but the time limits vary between insurers.

Some policies can be purchased up to 14 days before the wedding, while others need to be taken out at least 30 days beforehand. Providing you don't already know of any reason that might lead to a claim, you may still be able to buy cover quite late in the planning process.

Although you can buy wedding insurance relatively close to the wedding date, there is no real advantage in waiting. It's a one-off payment, and the premium isn't based on how early or late you buy it. Taking out cover earlier means that deposits and other payments you've already made can be protected sooner.

Wedding insurance provides financial peace of mind on your wedding day.

Many couples spend vast amounts of money on their wedding day (the average UK wedding cost is around £25,000) and should the unfortunate happen, wedding insurance could mean you're not left financially out of pocket.

Wedding insurance can be worth it if you are paying deposits or committing significant money to your wedding.

The more you spend, the more you could potentially lose if something goes wrong. A one-off policy for a relatively low cost can provide reassurance against major financial losses caused by events covered by the policy.

You should choose a level of cover that reflects the total cost of your wedding.

Think about your venue, catering, outfits, photography, flowers, transport, rings, entertainment and any other major costs. You should also check the individual limits for each section, not just the overall cancellation limit.

You can easily compare wedding insurance policies online.

Our comparison table is a good place to start - you can compare policies and cover from a number of UK wedding insurance providers to see which meets your needs best.

No. Wedding insurance policies can differ significantly.

Some policies cover redundancy, deposits paid before the policy was bought, gift vouchers or ceremonial swords, while others may not. There can also be differences in how far back previously paid deposits are covered. Always compare both the price and the policy wording.

Wedding insurance generally covers unexpected problems that are outside your control.

This might include illness, cancellation, supplier failure, wedding attire, rings, wedding cars, flowers, cake, catering, photography and public liability. Cover varies between policies, so always check the policy wording carefully.

See our wedding insurance cover page for a more comprehensive guide to what is covered by wedding insurance.

Wedding insurance usually excludes circumstances you were already aware of that could reasonably lead to a claim when you bought the policy.

It also normally excludes any voluntary decision not to go ahead with the wedding, often called "change of heart" or "disinclination to proceed" but more commonly referred to as 'cold feet'. Some exclusions vary by insurer, so it is important to read the policy wording carefully.

Usually yes, although some policies only cover payments that have been made within a certain period before the policy was purchased.

Most wedding insurance policies will cover deposits you've already paid, provided there was no known reason that might result in a claim when you took out the policy. However, some insurers only cover deposits paid within a certain period before the policy was purchased. If you've been planning your wedding for some time, it's worth checking this carefully before buying.

Some wedding insurance policies cover redundancy, provided there was no prior knowledge when the policy was taken out.

If redundancy is covered, the policy may help you recover deposits or cancellation costs. It will not usually pay the remaining balances so that the wedding can still go ahead.

No. UK wedding insurance policies generally do not cover change of heart.

If one person decides not to proceed with the wedding, this is usually called "disinclination to proceed" or "change of heart" and is normally excluded.

COVID-19 cover varies by insurer.

Some policies exclude COVID-19 claims as standard, while others may offer limited protection through an optional add-on. Always check the latest policy wording before buying.

Wedding insurance can cover cancellation, but only if it's for one of the reasons covered by the policy.

Covered reasons can include serious illness, venue failure, supplier failure or extreme weather. It will not usually cover cancellation because one person changes their mind.

Pre-existing medical conditions may be covered in some circumstances, but you should check with the insurer before buying.

Many policies distinguish between stable, known conditions and more serious situations such as a terminal prognosis, pending test results or expected treatment. If in doubt, disclose the condition to the insurer.

Pregnancy-related claims may be covered in some circumstances, but the conditions vary between insurers.

Policies may distinguish between pregnancy itself and unexpected pregnancy-related complications, so check the policy wording carefully if pregnancy could affect your wedding plans.

Wedding insurance can usually help recover any deposits already paid and may cover additional costs to arrange an alternative supplier.

This can apply to venues, caterers, florists, photographers, cake suppliers and other wedding services, subject to the policy terms.

Many wedding insurance policies can cover the cost of retaking wedding photographs if something covered by the policy goes wrong.

This may include the photographer falling ill or failing to attend, or the original photographs being lost, damaged or unusable. Depending on the policy, cover can include the cost of retaking the photographs and reasonable expenses for the couple and immediate wedding party to get together again. Check the policy wording for the exact circumstances and limits that apply.

Wedding insurance may cover extreme weather if it prevents the wedding from going ahead or stops key people from attending.

It will not usually cover ordinary bad weather, such as rain affecting outdoor photographs. It also will not normally cover weather problems that were already known before the policy was bought.

Wedding insurance may cover supplier failure or the non-arrival of key wedding items.

Depending on the policy, you may be able to claim for deposits already paid or the reasonable extra cost of arranging replacements.

Illness may be covered, but it depends on the policy and the circumstances.

If illness is a specific concern, check the policy wording and ask the insurer whether that illness would be covered.

You will likely need additional marquee cover, usually available as a policy add-on.

Many wedding insurance policies offer marquee cover as an optional extra. This can protect against damage to the marquee or related equipment, depending on the policy.

Possibly, but you should check the insurer's rules on multiple events.

Some couples have a small legal ceremony followed by a larger celebration on another date. Policies may limit the number of events covered or the number of days between them.

Many policies can be extended to cover weddings abroad.

However, you should check the countries covered, whether rings and gifts are protected while overseas, and whether public liability cover applies outside Great Britain. Travel insurance is still usually needed.

You can usually buy UK wedding insurance if at least one person taking out the policy is normally resident in the UK.

Rules vary by insurer, so check eligibility carefully if one or both partners live overseas.

Wedding insurance may cover cancellation or rearrangement if military leave is cancelled, but conditions apply.

Cover usually depends on leave having already been granted and there being no known risk of cancellation when the policy was bought.

Yes. Wedding insurance usually covers civil partnerships as well as weddings.

Policies can cover the ceremony, reception and related celebrations, subject to the same terms and limits.

Yes, but you should check the policy limits carefully, particularly regarding multiple events and any limit on the maximum number of guests.

Asian weddings may involve several events across multiple days, larger guest numbers and higher supplier costs. Make sure the policy covers the number of events, date range and total cost of the wedding.

Possibly. Some venues require couples to have public liability insurance up to a certain amount.

Public liability can protect you if someone is injured or property is damaged during the wedding. Even when it is not required by the venue, it's still worth considering.

No, wedding insurance does not usually cover your honeymoon.

You will normally need separate travel insurance for your honeymoon. If you are getting married abroad, you may need both wedding insurance and travel insurance.

You may have limited protection elsewhere, but it is unlikely to replace wedding insurance.

Your credit card or home insurance policy may provide you with some degree of cover. Home insurance policies may cover you for wedding gifts and deposits paid for by credit card might be protected under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. Neither is a substitute for a more comprehensive wedding insurance policy though.

Possibly. Some wedding insurance policies have an excess and some do not.

If they do charge an excess, the amount tends to be from £25 to £100. Check policy wording carefully though as some insurers apply an excess to some policy sections but not others.

Contact your insurer as soon as you know there may be a claim.

Keep receipts, contracts, invoices, emails and written evidence from suppliers. The insurer will explain what documents they need and whether you should avoid making replacement arrangements until they have approved the claim.