More and more couples are opting to celebrate their big day in exotic overseas locations. Not only can it save the arguments about whether or not Auntie Marjorie will be invited or not and possibly stop feuding divorced parents spoiling the day but many couples are opting for it as a cheaper option. You can have your wedding and honeymoon all rolled into one. You can do it in a very personal way with just the bride and groom and no or very few guests which can save you a fortune if finances are tight. But if you are worrying about your pennies make sure you don't forget your wedding insurance.
Wedding insurance
No matter how much planning you do, unfortunate and unexpected disasters can still strike. What would you do if you lost the wedding rings or your wedding attire was damaged in transit? Or what if the bridal party is delayed en route abroad? Hundreds of couples encounter unexpected events each year and many of those have claimed on their insurance for financial compensation. So, if you’re getting married this year, have you considered every eventuality?
What overseas wedding insurance covers you for
Overseas wedding insurance polices, for one years cover, start from £64 for a wedding in Europe, £84 for a worldwide wedding excluding USA and Canada and £107 for worldwide location including USA and Canada.
- Cancellation and expenses
- Wedding attire
- Wedding rings
- Wedding photographs
- Public liability
- Wedding presents
- Wedding stationery
- Supplier deposits
- Wedding video
- The wedding cake
- Wedding documents/Passport
- Luggage/Property
- Personal accident
- Wedding cars and transport
- Professional counselling
- Legal expenses
- Wedding flowers
- Delayed Travel
A standard wedding insurance policy lasts for one year; however this can be
extended for up to two if you agree to pay an additional premium. Certain benefits
of cover do not begin until nearer to the wedding date, such as loss or damage
to the cake, which would only become valid 24 hours before the wedding.
Do I need to invest in travel insurance as well?
Yes. Overseas wedding insurance will NOT cover you for overseas medical expenses so travel insurance is vital. When you are in the UK, you have access to the NHS for medical treatment but no such service exists in other countries. For example, if you have a heart attack in the USA you could clock up a total bill of around £50,000. Breaking a leg in Europe could cost you £18,000. You will be expected to foot the bill personally unless you have adequate travel insurance to cover the costs. If you are travelling to Europe, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) which replaces the old E111 will allow you access to some free treatment abroad. However, it should not be used as a substitute for travel insurance as it does not include any repatriation cost.
Overseas wedding insurance tends to exclude cover for illness, injury or disablement as a result of participating in a professional or dangerous activity (ie extreme sports, hang gliding, parachuting, scuba-diving) unless you have a separate agreement in place with your insurer before the taking part. If you are planning an ‘adventurous’ wedding involving ‘hazardous activities’, check your policy before you leave and speak to your insurer to get extra cover if necessary. If you are planning on hitting the slopes you need winter sports cover included in your policy.
There is very little a wedding insurance policy won’t cover. Don’t let any lack of planning ruin your big day; make sure you are properly insured before you hit the skies to tie the knot. But remember, wedding insurance won’t provide cover for the bride or groom getting cold feet!
Useful links
Overseas
wedding insurance
Travel
insurance
Tiscali's special Wedding planning
site
