page 83 X metropolitan weddings X summer/fall 2020
what’s not covered?
Postponement Due to COVID-19
Cancellation or postponement due to COVID-19 is not currently covered. It’s true that some couples up to this point have received
reimbursement if they’ve had to cancel or postpone their weddings due to state mandated shutdowns, etc. This is because their
wedding insurance was purchased before the pandemic was a known risk. Now that shutdowns and stay-at-home orders are a
known risk due to COVID-19, it is up to the couple to plan accordingly.
Out-of-the-Ordinary Activities
If you’re planning on incorporating amusement rides, inflatables, dunk tanks, live
animals or pyrotechnics into your celebration. First of all, please invite us because
your wedding sounds fun! You should know that none of these things will be covered
by wedding insurance. You should, though, make sure that the vendors you
work with in these areas are, in fact, insured.
Travel Planning a destination wedding?
You can purchase coverage for weddings in a variety of locations at no additional cost. Your policy, however,
may not cover travel. For example, if you postpone your wedding due to illness, your cancellation/postponement
coverage would reimburse you for the wedding venue at your destination (up to the maximum limit as
detailed by your plan), but would not reimburse you for your plane tickets.
Cold Feet
Wedding insurance won’t cover a change of heart.
Liability
In addition to basic cancellation/postponement, you have the option of adding
liability insurance. This type of insurance covers property damage as well as
bodily injury – especially if Aunt Margo gets overly enthusiastic during the Cha
Cha Slide and lands on her bad hip. Furthermore, you have the option to add liquor
liability coverage, which protects you from being sued if someone is involved
in an alcohol-related accident. Some venues require couples to purchase liability
and/or liquor liability insurance.
is wedding insurance for you?
Brinck says, “It really depends on the type of wedding and the amount of risk.” Generally, the more money you invest into your
wedding, the more you have to lose. If you’re planning an extravagant wedding, insurance makes a lot of sense. If you’re planning
on a wedding at home or on family-owned property, insurance might not be necessary since that home/property owner will
already have insurance. Just keep in mind that insurance is a small investment that could yield a nice cushion later down the
road so it may be worth considering.
If you’re going to purchase wedding insurance, the sooner the better, but at least 30 days before the big day is recommended. You
won’t be able to purchase insurance after something goes wrong. Just be sure you understand the finer details of your plan so
that you know exactly what’s covered. XmW