Of course, you want your big day to be special and memorable and for everything to go according to plan without any problems. But of course problems can occur, particularly at the ceremony, either with the venue itself or the company that has had the responsibility of organizing everything for you.
As the cost of a formal wedding now averages over $20,000, paying for insurance is probably the last thing on your mind, but for peace of mind, it is well worth considering wedding reception liability insurance.
In fact, some reception venues – especially those with expensive furnishings – require couples to have property and personal damage coverage. A typical liability insurance for wedding policy will cost you between $200 and $1,000, depending on the number of guests, the location and the overall cost of your wedding reception. The cost of the coverage may also vary depending on what exactly you need covered as far as extras, unique situations, etc.
Just like any other insurance, it pays to shop around and compare rates and policies; many such policies can be booked easily on line and up to a day or two before the actual ceremony. So what exactly does liability insurance for a wedding reception cover? It basically provides coverage against unforeseen disasters that might cause the reception to be canceled or postponed – extreme weather, death or illness of a guest, or the reception venue being too unsafe to host the reception.
If the company organizing the reception has to declare bankruptcy, you are financially protected. Some wedding guests can unfortunately get carried away or have too much to drink and the policy usually also covers against accidental damage to the property, or injuries caused to another person, whether caused by alcohol or not.
The policy may also cover cancellation of, or other problems with the rehearsal dinner and other wedding related events, if they occur within a certain time frame. Many wedding venues have a penalty for cancelling the use of their venue – especially at short notice – and the right insurance policy can help to protect you against having to cancel and losing the deposit.
Other possibilities are unlikely to happen, but have the potential to completely spoil your big day – flowers not arriving, a lost wedding dress or tuxedo, problems with limo or other transportation. Some wedding reception liability insurance policies even offer coverage against the theft of gifts, camera equipment etc. As with most insurance policies, there are things that aren’t covered, although most policies are designed specifically for this occasion and will provide adequate coverage.
Always make sure you know exactly what is and is not covered under your policy. An outdoor wedding being ruined by the weather, poor quality food and drink, an unwanted guest or two and entertainment that just wasn’t what you expected it to be are just some examples. And of course, liability insurance for a wedding doesn’t cover a last minute change of heart by the bride or groom.
_____________________________________________________
