Maybe your wedding venue brought it up with you, or your wedding planner mentioned it in passing. Whatever the case, there’s a good reason why so many people recommend wedding insurance coverage for your big day. It can help protect you with comprehensive liability coverage (often required by wedding venues) and also in the case of event cancellation.
If you are interested in securing wedding insurance but are not really sure how to go about it, it’s okay. It’s not like you’ve ever needed to purchase wedding insurance before.
Our quick guide on how to get event insurance for a wedding will explain everything you need to know, including what separates liability and cancellation coverage, what your venue might require, if your homeowner’s coverage protects you, and how to get a good wedding insurance policy with a reputable company. So, all you have to do on your wedding day is enjoy every moment—without worry.
What You Will Learn
- What Does Wedding Insurance Cover?
- Insurance for a Wedding Venue: Do I Really Need It?
- Wedding Insurance Policies: Know the Type of Coverage You Need
- Which of These Coverage Options is Right for You? Liability Insurance, Cancellation Coverage, or Both?
- How to Get Event Insurance for Wedding Activities (Hint: It’s Easy!)
- How to Get Wedding Insurance FAQs
- Wedding Insurance Should Be Part of Your Planning Process
What Does Wedding Insurance Cover?
As much as you plan your wedding day with detailed precision, things are bound to go wrong. That’s just life. However, having event insurance can alleviate much of the stress in these situations and give you greater peace of mind on your special day.
So, what does wedding insurance cover? Nearly everything. Here are some common scenarios:
- Let’s say your photographer cancels at the last minute. Your insurance will cover lost deposits and help you find another qualified talent.
- If your wedding attire was damaged during fittings, you’re covered there, too.
- If a pop-up hurricane tears through town or illness runs through your family, event cancellation coverage can also help.
- If there is property damage, wedding insurance for venue snafus will be helpful, so you don’t have to repair or replace anything.
- Some insurance companies will even cover cases where the couple has a change of heart.
With so many obstacles and hiccups covered — and with insurance available at a nominal fee compared to overall wedding costs — it only makes sense to secure a policy before your big day.
Insurance for a Wedding Venue: Do I Really Need It?
It is very likely that, yes, you do need to figure out how to get insurance for wedding venue compliance.
Most traditional wedding venues require at least liability insurance to have your wedding ceremony on the grounds. A liability policy will cover any potential damages to the venue or any injury that may occur.
In a small number of circumstances, your existing homeowner’s insurance may cover events held at home, but the chances are slim. Obviously, this coverage relies on you having the wedding at a private residence.
Wedding Insurance Policies: Know the Type of Coverage You Need
There are multiple types of special event insurance, but the two most common options are event liability insurance and cancellation insurance. So, what’s the difference?
Event Liability Coverage
This type of insurance protects you and your wedding venue (and sometimes your vendors) if property damage or bodily harm occurs during your wedding. This might include damage to the venue (such as red wine stains) or an injury someone sustains at the wedding, perhaps on the dance floor. If something like that were to happen, the insurance would protect both you and the venue from any financial liability arising from a suit.
Under this special event insurance umbrella, there’s also something called liquor liability coverage. Most venues specifically want you to have this coverage so that you and the venue cannot be held liable for actions, damages, or harm that occurs after individuals have been drinking alcohol supplied by you (as the host) and the venue.
Event Cancellation Coverage
The second most common type of wedding insurance does exactly what it sounds like. It protects the funds you’ve invested into your wedding if there’s a cancellation or postponement due to factors such as severe weather events or major injuries/illness. It also can protect you if a vendor cancels on you, so you’re not eating your lost deposits.
Which of These Coverage Options is Right for You? Liability Insurance, Cancellation Coverage, or Both?
Deciding which wedding insurance options to buy will depend on several factors. Here are some questions to ask yourself to determine your ideal coverage.
- Does your venue require that you purchase liability coverage? If so, it will be stated in your venue contract. If that’s the case, you will need to buy this type of coverage to move forward with your event, or you will need to pick a different venue.
- Are you serving alcohol at your wedding? If so, liquor liability insurance is recommended, even if your venue doesn’t require it. Guests often drink quite a bit at weddings (especially if there’s an open bar), and accidents can happen.
- Do you think there’s a risk of a wedding cancellation? Admitting there’s a chance of a wedding cancellation doesn’t mean you think your partner (or you) will get cold feet. It could simply mean that maybe you’re having your wedding in the winter in an area that gets a lot of ice storms, which could prevent the wedding from happening, or you have a close family member whose health is questionable, and you don’t think you could have the wedding ceremony if the worst were to happen close to go time.
Couples often invest in both liability and cancellation coverage, and many providers offer discounts for opting in both coverages. Whichever way you go, wedding insurance can provide coverage that gives you peace of mind and the assurance that, if any mishaps occur leading up to the wedding or on the wedding itself, your insurance company will be there for you.
How to Get Event Insurance for Wedding Activities (Hint: It’s Easy!)
After you’ve decided to move forward with the plan to purchase event insurance, the process is easy. You’ll just need to choose an insurance provider that offers the coverage you desire.
When comparing wedding insurance providers, you’ll want to hone in on a company that has comprehensive coverage and fewer coverage limits.
For example, a good wedding liability insurance plan will cover:
- Property damage to a wedding venue, so you aren’t held liable for repairs or replacements during the wedding or the setup/breakdown process
- Injuries during your wedding ceremony or celebration so you won’t be responsible for financial liability arising from a suit
- Situations that are related to serving alcohol at your wedding reception — as the host, you won’t be liable if something happens
Good wedding event cancellation coverage should also cover:
- Reimbursement for wedding costs, including lost deposits and payments for vendor no-shows or subpar services, including flowers, hotels, entertainment, catering, photos/videos, transport, hair and makeup, and more
- Coverage if there’s a wedding cancellation or postponement for any number of factors, including extreme weather or illness
- Protection of wedding gifts and wedding attire under certain circumstances, such as if they are damaged or stolen
Companies like BriteCo also offer a cancel-for-any-reason policy, where if you have to cancel your big day at any time — even for a change of heart — you can receive up to 75% of your investment back with a covered claim. Find out more and get your quote today!
How to Get Wedding Insurance FAQs
What Does Wedding & Event Insurance Cover?
It depends on whether you purchased liability insurance for wedding activities or event cancellation insurance. Liability insurance ensures you won’t be held liable for harm or damage to the property or guests during your wedding. Cancellation coverage helps you recoup your costs after a cancellation or postponement due to weather or illness.
How Much Does Wedding Insurance Cost?
Wedding insurance costs can start as low as $80 if you pick the right insurance agent.
Do I Need to Worry About How to Get Liability Insurance for a Wedding?
If your venue stipulates it, yes, you will need to determine how to get wedding liability insurance to meet those requirements. You’ll also need to ensure that your wedding event coverage policy is in line with your venue’s expectations — consult with your planner or venue before purchasing the policy.
Do I Need to Worry About How to Get Liquor Liability Insurance for a Wedding?
If you’re serving any alcohol at your wedding, you will need liquor liability insurance. In fact, your venue may require it so they aren’t held liable.
Wedding Insurance Should Be Part of Your Planning Process
Whether you’re buying wedding insurance for venue requirements or just for peace of mind, BriteCo can help.
Getting a quote for BriteCo’s multiple wedding insurance options is easy, and our coverage options are comprehensive, protecting you in an array of circumstances — so you can focus on what matters most: enjoying your big day.
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