Short answer- No. You are not covered for the cancellation of your wedding due to the potential outbreak or risk of Coronavirus. If you have a pre-existing insurance policy that you purchased prior to the news of COVID-19, you might be eligible for claims. You will need to check the details of your policies. Only policies purchased in advance of the knowledge of any serious potential issue would be honored, so purchasing a policy now would not cover you.
Whether an insurer has chosen to reimburse its clients during this time will depend on their individual policy, however, many big names are disregarding claims made due to the pandemic. Several firms have released statements on their websites informing customers that due to the coronavirus outbreak, they are unable to accept any new applications for wedding insurance. We compiled some of the expert’s opinions from the wedding insurance industry to share some light on coverage for Coronavirus, and here’s what they have to say.
Rob Schenk from Wedding Industry Law, U.S.A: “The term ‘wedding insurance’ can apply to a few different things. First, there is insurance purchased by the clients to protect against cancellation. Second, there is general liability insurance which may be purchased by the professionals or the clients.”
Wedding insurance falls under the category of special events insurance that protects you from losses that may happen due to various factors, such as:
- unforeseen events causing damage or injury at a wedding
- external events beyond your control that may prevent your wedding from occurring
- extreme weather
- problems with the venue or vendors
What Does It Cover?
“No show of suppliers or vendors- The caterers for the wedding being unable to provide the service for or at your wedding due to an outbreak of infectious disease at their premises.” – Wedinsure, UK.
If your booked venue is the one to make the call to close down or cancel for the wedding or wedding reception being unable to hold your wedding due to an outbreak of infectious or contagious disease or if the government puts a true ban on public events in place, you would likely be covered.
Wedding Plan Insurance, UK highlights: “If your immediate family falls sick due to Coronavirus infection. If you or close relatives, that are formally diagnosed with COVID-19 which is evidenced by a GP or medical practitioner, you can make a claim under the cancellation or rearrangement section. ”
What It Doesn’t Cover?
“Prevention of the wedding due to an act of state, for example, the closing of borders or prevention of gatherings over a certain capacity. Self-isolation of the couple or guests that are just for precaution but aren’t a confirmed case.”- Wedding Insurance Solutions, UK.
How Much Does It Cost?
“We are living in such a vulnerable world, it is advisable to be safe and secure. Insurance is the only best option to come out from unexpected financial loss. It cost s a small percentage. Say approximately 0.25% to 0.50% of the budget,” says Satish Poojary from Pioneer Insurance, UAE. The very entry-level policies are under $200, but certain things like destination weddings can run up to $1,000. The final quote will depend on the range of what’s included and the scope of your event.
Conclusion
“What we’re dealing with now is weddings are being canceled, and people are canceling their liability insurance,” said Sharla Cartzdafner, Director of Operations at Event Helper. “They’re calling and asking if it covers cancellation. It doesn’t.”
The nature of insurance is such that there are variables. Hence, it’s always better to have a one-on-one discussion with your insurance agent on the details of your wedding insurance plan. Cancellation coverage, depending on your policy, could reimburse you, however, some insurance companies require that you first check to see if postponement or relocation is an option before they reimburse you for canceling.
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