Bells of joy ring forth – but take out insurance

Dave Simms, Personal Lines Manager at insurance specialists Ecclesiastical, says: "The recession has had a significant effect on couples planning to marry. More are taking out insurance to protect the financial investment they've made in their big day."

A change of heart by either of the bridal pair cannot be insured but so many more prosaic aspects ought to be. Just imagine if:

The wedding dress is ruined before the wedding day;

One of the couple or a key relative falls ill;

The venue for the reception closes;

The rings are lost;

The photographs are lost or damaged;

The marquee is damaged

Any of these events could make a serious dent in the probably already-strained finances but a good insurance company will also come to the help of the bridal pair to put the matter right.

The average wedding now costs over 20,000 with some substantially more, particularly if a designer dress is worn and the wedding breakfast involves a noted caterer.

As soon as a wedding is planned, take out cover. This can be up to two years before the day which makes sense since money will either have been expended or committed from any early stage.

Premiums start from as little as 30. This is through Ecclesiastical, which pioneered weddings insurance 12 years ago.

Founded in 1887 to provide insurance for the Anglican Church, it now offers a whole range of insurance and financial services.

Don't leave selecting such cover until too close to the date. While Ecclesiastical will accept liability from 14 days away, Equine & Livestock Insurance (E&L) require at least 21 days.

Anything already booked or paid for prior to taking out cover will be fully insured provided an invoice or receipt was obtained and it was within two years of the wedding.

David Wells, head of insurance at M&S Money, says: "Considering the cost of an average wedding and the current economic climate, wedding insurance really should be at the top of every bride and groom's list."

It offers four tiers of cover and says that cancellation and re-arrangement, which includes redundancy, is one of three main reasons for claiming (along with supplier failure and damage or loss to wedding attire).

Service in the armed forces would not usually be grounds for claiming but a sudden posting – as has happened with military requirements in Afghanistan – would be a justifiable cause.

When purchasing cover, think through all the services planned for the big day and make sure likely costs are protected. If you should go over budget, contact the insurer to increase liability.

Anyone who will pay for a significant part of the wedding can take out insurance. It does not have to be the bridal couple.

Insurers found that supplier failure was the major problem last year. No wonder that many offer stress counselling as part of the package.

Increasingly venues, florists and dress shops have been going into liquidation. Claims for supplier failure last year were four times the number in 2005, says Ecclesiastical.

Even weather can be a problem. E&L, based at Ouseburn near York and established over 70 years, says it will pay out if the majority of guests cannot attend through adverse weather conditions.

Cancellation or curtailment cover is a key part of the package with all weddings insurance providers. Levels with M&S Money, owned by HSBC, range from 5,000 (59 premium) to 17,500 (189 cost) but to more realistic figures with Ecclesiastical, such as 30,000 (152 premium) and 50,000 (282 cost), even though a basic 30 brings 5,000 protection.

Towergate Risk Solutions through Allianz insurance offer "weddingsurance" with four tiers. Its cancellation cover ranges from 5,000 (49) and 7,500 (95) to 12,500 (150) and finally 20,000 (250).

If hiring wedding clothing, do not pay insurance to the retailer as it is already covered under the main policy. Ecclesiastical protects up to 7,500 on its fourth tier (152) or 15,000 (282).

Combined dress costs for the bride and bridesmaids may well exceed 5,000 which is the limit from both Towergate and M&S Money but E&L offer up to 10,000.

Photographs form an important memory of the day. Insurers will pay to retake if negatives are lost or damaged as well as compensate if a professional photographer fails to appear. This can be up to 3,000 with M&S Money and Towergate, 5,000 with Ecclesiastical and 10,000 with E&L.

Don't forget to allow for the cake and flowers. Some insurers separate such items and others combine them along with stationery.

Marquees are treated separately by insurers. Repair costs if damaged can be high and therefore do not underestimate. E&I quote 35 for 20,000 and then 1.50 per 1,000 up to 50,000. Both M&S Money and Towergate charge 70 for 20,000 cover whilst Ecclesiastical quotes 75 for 30,000 and 105 for 50,000.

Increasingly, overseas weddings are popular and insurers can meet this risk, as well as covering for a celebratory reception back in the UK.

The newest insurer to offer this facility is Sheilas' Wheels which is through its travel cover. For an extra 30 per couple on either an annual multi-trip or single trip policy, personal cover is offered up to 1,500 for attire, 1,000 for gifts, 750 for photography and video and 500 for rings.

Sheilas' Wheels gives three excellent post-wedding tips:

Tell your motor insurer that you are married as this can reduce your premium as statistically you are less likely to claim;

Check that you have contents cover away from home as otherwise wedding presents at a venue may not be protected or whilst being transported home;

Increase home contents cover to allow for wedding gifts and new spouse's contents.

Esure offer 10 per cent increase for four weeks either side of the wedding day

Contacts: Ecclesiastical 0845 7773322, Equine & Livestock 08449 809520, M&S Money 0800 3165985, Towergate 01235 516314.