Wedding Insurance

As you plan your South Dakota wedding, you probably have a picture in mind of the perfect ceremony and reception. However, things do not always go according to plan. Sometimes that’s a good thing; a relatively minor mishap can make for a funny story to reminisce about with friends and family.

On the other hand, a major disaster may require you to cancel your wedding altogether, or at least postpone it. Someone could get hurt at the wedding or reception, and not only would that put a damper on the festivities, but you could be financially responsible for the resulting injury. You have invested a lot in your special day. With wedding insurance, we can help you to protect it no matter what happens.

What Does Wedding Insurance Cover?

We offer two types of insurance policies related to weddings and other special events. Each covers different things.

Cancellation insurance covers the expenses you incur if your ceremony has to be canceled or postponed because of circumstances beyond your control. 

For example:

• Your spouse-to-be gets called up with his or her National Guard unit and is to be deployed over your planned wedding date; South Dakota law requires that both spouses-to-be and the officiant be physically present at the ceremony for the marriage to be valid.
• A tornado or severe thunderstorm does property damage to your wedding venue just prior to the date or threatens it on the day itself.

Liability insurance protects you from any financial responsibility for accidental injuries that occur because of your wedding:

• A bridesmaid falls and injures herself while trying to catch the bouquet.
• A wedding guest gets into a car accident on the way home after having too much to drink at the reception.

The best wedding insurance policy to purchase depends largely on the venue you choose. Some wedding venues carry their own liability insurance that covers any accidents related to your ceremony or reception. If this is the case, then you do not have to purchase liability insurance for your wedding, although you still might want to consider cancellation insurance.

On the other hand, many venues not only do not provide their own liability insurance but require you to purchase your own policy to cover your wedding. This way, neither you nor the venue will be financially responsible should anyone get hurt during or just after your wedding.

While liability insurance is sometimes required by the venue, cancellation insurance is always optional. However, given all the things that could go wrong at the last minute, including dress damage and vendor issues in addition to extreme weather, property damage, or military deployment, it is a good idea to at least consider it.

What Is Not Covered?

Insurance policies are not intended to cover every possible contingency, and special event insurance for your wedding is no exception. Each policy is different, and we work with you to help you find one that meets all your needs. However, you should know that insurance for your wedding typically only covers circumstances that are beyond your control.

For example, you should be covered if you have to cancel your wedding due to a natural or manmade disaster, such as a fire, flood, tornado, or outbreak of virulent infectious disease. However, you are not covered if you cancel the wedding voluntarily, e.g., either you or your intended spouse has a change of heart at the last minute.

As another example, your insurance policy may cover you if you experience an unexpected job loss that makes you unable to cover the expenses associated with your wedding. However, you are not covered if your wedding expenses simply exceed what you can afford in the absence of any significant and sudden change in your income level.

What Else Should You Consider When Purchasing Wedding Insurance?

When you consider purchasing any insurance policy, you have to consider both the deductible and the coverage limits. The deductible refers to the expenses you have to pay out of your own pocket before insurance kicks in and covers the rest. You may be able to reduce the cost of the policy with a higher deductible. However, think about what you are willing to pay if something does happen at your wedding. Special event insurance is relatively inexpensive to begin with, so a higher deductible may not save you much if something untoward does occur.

The coverage limit is the maximum that the insurance company will pay out for an accident or cancellation. You should try to make your coverage limit as close as possible to what you plan to spend on your wedding since anything above the coverage limit is your responsibility.

When choosing coverage, you should also consider the time of year that your wedding takes place:

• Summer is the wedding season in South Dakota, but it is also the time that severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are most likely.
• If you plan your wedding for any time between October and May, you need to plan for the possibility of a sudden blizzard.
• Be very careful planning a Black Hills wedding around the time of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in August. Even if you specifically set a date just before or after, your guests may have difficulty finding accommodations.

When Should You Purchase Your Insurance?

Ideally, you should purchase your insurance policy as soon as possible during the planning process. However, some insurance companies require that you make the purchase within a year or two of the wedding date. You should set this as soon as possible, and then you can comply with the requirements of the policy you choose.

Why Should You Work With Meyer Insurance?

South Dakotans have unique needs that out-of-state companies may not always understand. At Meyer Insurance, our agents are not only experienced in finding policies, but we also have intimate knowledge of the Mount Rushmore State. We take pride in our community and work to make it better through charitable involvement. Contact us today at either our Webster or Watertown office, and we can help you find the ideal wedding insurance policy in South Dakota.

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As an independent agency, we are here to help you find the right Wedding Insurance coverage.