Protecting Your Wedding Day
From organizing seating arrangements to creating music playlists to keeping in-laws and family members happy, planning for your wedding involves dozens of decisions made under tight deadlines with tons of pressure. For many, a wedding can also mean a significant investment as couples and their families plan full wedding weekends complete with a rehearsal dinner, the wedding event itself and a celebratory send-off brunch. Knowing what a huge time and financial commitment your special day is, are you sure you are doing everything possible to help protect your wedding? Scott Humphrey, a Travelers Risk Control professional, has some advice for couples planning for that big day. First, he says they should consider researching vendors before making any deposits, including checking with the Better Business Bureau and getting reviews or references from more than one source. Couples may also want to put a plan in place when holding an event at the height of winter or during hurricane season when weather can affect travel plans and even the ability to hold the event. Protection from the Unexpected A hurricane or a bankrupt venue can mean lost deposits and unexpected expenses, as couples race to reschedule or find replacement vendors. Special Event insurance is an effective way to help protect your wedding from certain unforeseen events, according to Ed Charlebois, Travelers Vice President of Personal Insurance. “It can provide a great safeguard to protect your investment, both during and after the wedding,” Charlebois said, noting that the policy helps provide coverage for when vendors, such as photographers and videographers, fail to meet their contractual obligations to deliver photos and videos after the wedding. In the event of a lost or damaged memory card, wedding insurance helps cover staging and filming replacement photos and videos. The insurance also helps provide coverage for additional expenses if the florist does not deliver as specified in their contract. Having a specific, written contract that details the couple’s intent can help avoid confusion. If the vendor breaches that contract, it may allow the couple to recoup their money. A look at the past five years of Travelers wedding claims data reveals that some of the most common claims include bankrupt venues, injury or illness, and disruptive weather. If a vendor goes out of business unexpectedly or does not show up, the policy covers lost deposits as well as additional expenses necessary to finding a replacement vendor. The insurance also covers lost deposits due to cancellation or postponement of the wedding if one or both members of the wedding party are unexpectedly deployed for military duty. Couples should buy insurance in advance, Charlebois says, especially to be sure that they are protected from severe disruptive weather. In most states, coverage must be purchased 14 days before the event to include this type of weather coverage. Events such as tropical storms or hurricanes are typically covered, while a rainy day is not. With that big day approaching quickly, or even while still off in the distant horizon, it is important for you to protect what has become a significant investment for many couples. You have the rest of your life to enjoy your time together—make your wedding day something special you can enjoy by protecting yourself and your investment.
*All statements herein are subject to the provisions, exclusions and conditions of the applicable policy. For an actual description of all coverages, terms and conditions, refer to the insurance policy. Coverages are subject to individual insureds meeting our underwriting qualifications and to state availability.
