Franklin Dean
Wedding insurance is meant to cover the build-up to a wedding and ends once a couple is married. It protects against problems on the big day, including venue or supplier cancellations, damage to outfits, and loss or theft of wedding rings. However, the coronavirus pandemic has disrupted many weddings, and insurers have received numerous queries about wedding insurance coverage. While existing policies are generally unaffected, some insurers stopped selling new wedding insurance policies due to the high risk of cancellation claims. Wedding insurance may cover coronavirus-related cancellations or rearrangements, but it depends on the specific policy and circumstances. Some policies only cover cancellations if the venue cancels, while others require a positive COVID-19 test result within a certain timeframe. Couples should carefully review their policy terms and exclusions and contact their insurer with any questions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wedding insurance covers rearrangement costs | Up to 25% more than the original invoice |
| Wedding insurance covers unrecoverable costs | Yes |
| Wedding insurance covers cancellation costs | Yes, but only if the guest is a close relative |
| Wedding insurance covers sickness | Yes, but only if the bride or groom is sick |
| Wedding insurance covers travel disruption | No, but travel insurance might |
| Wedding insurance covers venue cancellation | Yes, if the venue is closed by the relevant authority |
| Wedding insurance covers self-isolation | No, unless it's a one-off event |
| Wedding insurance covers COVID-19 | No, it's defined as a "notifiable disease" |
| Wedding insurance covers non-appearance | Yes, if you have a Non-Appearance extension |
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What You'll Learn
Wedding insurance payout requirements
Wedding insurance is a contractual, financial agreement that protects you against monetary losses in the event that your wedding day is unexpectedly cancelled or otherwise affected by something out of your control. It covers unforeseen circumstances such as sudden cancellations, property damage, extreme weather, illness, and more.
Payout Requirements
Wedding insurance payouts depend on the specific terms and conditions of your policy. Here are some common requirements and considerations:
- Insured Events: Your policy will specify a list of "insured events" or covered reasons for cancellation or rearrangement. These may include circumstances such as illness, injury, extreme weather, or venue issues. Ensure your reason for cancellation falls within the defined insured events.
- Timing of Cancellation: Some policies may have requirements regarding the timing of the cancellation in relation to the wedding date. For example, a positive COVID-19 test result may need to occur within a certain number of days before the wedding for coverage to apply.
- Venue Cancellation: In some cases, insurance providers may require proof that the venue itself cancelled the event due to an outbreak of an infectious disease. If the venue is still willing to hold the wedding and you choose to cancel, your claim may be rejected.
- Minimising Losses: Insurance companies may request evidence that you have taken steps to minimise losses before claiming. This could include seeking refunds from suppliers, venues, or attempting to rebook at a later date. Failure to do so may result in a refusal of coverage.
- Policy Limits and Exclusions: Understand the limits and exclusions of your policy. For example, there may be a limit on the amount covered for rearrangement costs, typically up to 25% more than the original invoice. Additionally, some policies may exclude COVID-19 related losses.
- Proof of Circumstances: Insurance providers will likely require specific details and proof of the circumstances leading to the cancellation. This could include medical certificates, correspondence with venues or suppliers, and evidence of unrecoverable costs.
- Alternative Cover for Rearranged Weddings: In most cases, if a successful claim is paid for cancellation or rearrangement, the policy will be discharged, and no further cover will be provided for the rearranged wedding. You will need to seek alternative cover for the new date.
It is important to carefully review your wedding insurance policy, including all terms, conditions, and exclusions, to fully understand the payout requirements and ensure your claim meets the necessary criteria.
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Cancelling or rearranging your wedding
If you need to cancel or rearrange your wedding, you should first speak to your venue and suppliers to discuss your options. Ask them about refunds or the possibility of rebooking at a later date. If your venue or suppliers are unwilling to refund you, but you paid by credit card, contact your card provider about obtaining a refund directly.
If you have wedding insurance, check the terms and conditions of your policy carefully to see if you are covered for cancellation or rearrangement. Some policies will only pay out if the wedding venue cancels the event, not if you choose to cancel. Others will only pay out if the bride, groom, or a close family member contracts COVID-19. Some policies will cover unrecoverable costs in the event of cancellation or rearrangement, but only if the reason for the cancellation or rearrangement is an "insured event" as defined by the policy. Insured events typically do not include a reduction in the number of guests or government restrictions on weddings.
If you need to rearrange your wedding, you will likely need to seek alternative cover for the new date. Some insurers will allow you to change the wedding date on your policy and provide cover under the same terms and conditions, but you cannot make a cancellation or rearrangement claim for this reason. The new wedding date must be within a certain period from the original wedding date, typically 24 or 36 months.
If you do not yet have wedding insurance, you may struggle to find a new policy as many insurers have stopped writing new business due to the high risk of cancellation claims. If you do find a policy, it may not cover coronavirus-related cancellations or rearrangements if you or a key member of the wedding party already have the virus.
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Covering unrecoverable costs
Wedding insurance policies are designed to pay out if the couple has to cancel or rearrange their wedding due to unforeseen circumstances. However, the unprecedented nature of the COVID-19 pandemic has meant that many insurers have stopped writing new business, including John Lewis Finance and Debenhams Personal Finance, two of the largest wedding insurers.
If you already have wedding insurance, your policy may cover you for unrecoverable costs in the event of cancellation or rearrangement. Insurers define "unrecoverable costs" as costs that cannot be refunded by your venue or suppliers. To make a claim, you will need to provide copies of your venue and supplier contracts as well as relevant correspondence with them. Your insurer may refuse cover if they consider that you have not adequately minimised your costs. For rearrangement specifically, your insurer will cover a cost up to but not exceeding 25% more than the original invoice.
If your wedding cannot go ahead due to COVID-19, or if you choose not to go ahead due to social distancing rules, you should first speak to your venue and service providers to discuss your options. Request a refund of the payments you have made. If your venue or suppliers are unwilling to refund you directly but you paid by credit card, contact your card provider about obtaining a refund directly to the card on which you paid.
If you have a Non-Appearance extension on your policy, you may be covered if a delegate, speaker, DJ, or other key members of your wedding party are unable to attend due to COVID-19. However, this will not cover you if you, your future spouse, or a close family member have COVID-19 and need to cancel the wedding. In this case, you will need to refer to your policy wording to understand the cover limits, terms, conditions, and exclusions. For example, InsuraWedding requires a positive test result for COVID-19 within 10 days before the scheduled ceremony date for their Coronavirus Cancellation Cover.
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Non-appearance cover
Wedding insurance is designed to offer financial protection for unforeseen events such as illness, accidents, or a supplier failing to fulfil their commitments. Non-appearance cover is a type of insurance that can be included in most wedding insurance policies. It provides protection for your event if it depends on a key speaker, artist, performer, or group. Non-appearance cover will provide protection if the performer is unable to fulfil their obligations, which in turn leads to the event being cancelled, abandoned, postponed, interrupted, or relocated. This can include death, accident, serious illness, or unavoidable travel delay.
In the context of wedding insurance, non-appearance cover typically refers to situations where a critical vendor or supplier fails to show up or fulfil their contractual obligations, resulting in financial losses for the couple. This could include scenarios such as the wedding car or transport company not showing up or experiencing mechanical issues, or a vendor, such as a caterer or photographer, failing to appear or provide their services as agreed.
It is important to note that non-appearance cover for weddings may have specific limitations and exclusions. For example, some policies may not cover situations where a reduction in the number of guests leads to cancellations or rearrangements. Additionally, there may be requirements for proof of non-appearance, such as providing copies of contracts and correspondence with the vendor.
When considering non-appearance cover, it is crucial to carefully review the insurance documents and understand the specific terms, conditions, and exclusions that apply to your policy. Each insurance provider will have its own set of criteria and limitations, so it is essential to read through the fine print to know exactly what is covered and what is not.
In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, some wedding insurance providers have offered Coronavirus Cancellation Cover as an optional extension to their standard policies. This type of cover typically applies when one of the marrying couples or a close family member tests positive for COVID-19 within a specified timeframe before the wedding date.
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Changing your wedding date
Inform your guests
Let your guests know about the postponement as soon as possible, especially if the original date was approaching. You can update your wedding website, call your guests, send text messages, emails, or a personalised digital announcement. Consider sending a second notice as a reminder, and keep sharing frequent updates.
Contact your vendors
Start by reaching out to your most important vendors, usually the venue. Be patient, as many vendors are also navigating the impacts of the pandemic. Secure a few alternative date options before settling on one, and consider a weekday wedding to give your guests more time to enjoy the celebration.
Update the details
Once you have confirmed the new date, update all the necessary information, including accommodation details, refund policies, and any other relevant details. You can send out new invitations or a simple notice card with the new date, a reminder of the dress code, and any other important information.
Explore insurance options
Review your wedding insurance policy to understand what is covered in the event of cancellation or rearrangement. Some policies may cover unrecoverable costs, but you may need to seek alternative cover for your rearranged wedding.
Focus on health and safety
Remember that the decision to postpone is ultimately about prioritising the health and safety of everyone involved. While it can be challenging to change plans, keeping everyone safe is the top priority.
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Frequently asked questions
Sickness of the bride or groom is covered in most policies.
Yes, insurers will pay out for cancellation costs if a close relative has coronavirus.
Wedding insurance policies will pay out if the venue cancels due to an outbreak of infectious or contagious disease.
