What Does Wedding Insurance Cover?

Wedding insurance generally provides a number of different sections of cover. Whilst all policies are different (and you should find one that suits your particular individual needs) the following are generally found in many wedding insurance policies.

Cancellation and Expenses

This covers you should you need to cancel the wedding due to unexpected death or illness (including that of a close family member), extreme weather or redundancy. As with most insurance policies, circumstances which are known to you when you take the policy out are excluded.

Supplier Deposits

This covers you for the loss of non-refundable deposits, for example, following the bankruptcy or liquidation of a supplier. You may also be covered for any additional costs incurred as a result of arranging alternatives.

Wedding Attire

Covers you for wedding attire that is lost or damaged beyond repair. Cover can extend to the entire wedding party and can include hired suits and outfits too.

Wedding Photographs and Video/DVD

Covers the expenses incurred in the retaking of the official wedding photographs or video/DVD should the booked professional not appear or use faulty materials.

Wedding Cars and Transport

This section provides for the additional cost of alternative transport should there be a problem with your booked wedding car supplier on your big day.

Presents/Gifts

Covers you for the loss or damage to wedding gifts usually for a short period before and after the wedding. Gifts of money, cheques and vouchers etc are usually excluded.

Wedding Rings

Provides cover for loss or damage to the wedding rings, again often for a short period before and after the wedding. Although some cover might be provided for wedding rings, you'll usually need to look elsewhere for engagement ring insurance.

Wedding Cake and Flowers

Covers you for the loss or damage to your wedding cake or wedding flowers.

Wedding Entertainment

Whether it's for a DJ or band during the evening celebrations or a harpist for during the ceremony, this section of the policy covers issues with your wedding entertainment.

Public Liability

You are insured for claims made against you by a third party. Public liability cover for the Bride and Groom is usually included and for an additional premium you can extend this to cover all guests.

Personal Accident

The Bride and Bridegroom are covered should they have an accidental bodily injury during the period of insurance that results in death or permanent disablement.

Professional Counselling

Covers the Bride or Bridegroom for the costs incurred for professional counselling should either party decide not to go ahead with the wedding.

What might not be covered?

Cold feet

Cancellation of the wedding may typically occur for numerous reasons; however a change of mind or cold feet are usually not one of them. Cold feet may be referred to in your policy small print as 'disinclination to marry' and is unlikely to be insured, as most policies will only cover costs associated with cancelling or rearranging a wedding if the reason is beyond the couple's control.

Overseas travel

Often the costs of rearranging a honeymoon or overseas wedding trip costs are not covered. This is because you will usually need to take out separate travel or honeymoon insurance, which would normally include cancellation cover if you are not able to travel as planned. Note that if you are travelling to get married abroad, policies usually only cover any extra costs specific to the wedding itself, including rings, wedding attire, essential document indemnity etc., - but not the cost of the trip itself.

Separate ceremonies

If you are having two ceremonies - for example, a small civil ceremony followed by a church blessing a number of days later - check that your policy extends to cover cancellation of all dates required. Many insurers require the events insured to be less than 21 days apart.

More Information

Our wedding insurance comparison table lists policies from a number of leading UK wedding insurance providers. Also see our wedding insurance FAQs page where many of the key questions about wedding insurance are answered.