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Insurance protects against calamities
The fall in the bathroom did more than break Colleen Ireland's ankle. It forced her to cancel a non-refundable trip to Dallas with her fiance - and it got her thinking. "What if something really bad happened on the day before my wedding? We're talking $15,000 in deposits," Ireland said. So Ireland turned to WedSafe, an insurance company based in Monterey, Calif., brokered by Robertson Taylor. She paid $219 for a policy that shields her from financial loss should an emergency force her to postpone her wedding in San Francisco. "It seems a small price to pay for the peace of mind," Ireland, from Milpitas, Calif., said. Wedding insurance policies can protect against all kinds of calamities: cancellations due to weather, health emergencies, a stolen wedding ring, a damaged dress or even blurry photographs. Policies typically cost between $200 and $300, depending on the level of coverage. That's a small amount compared to the $30,000 that wedding planners say weddings often cost. Karen Sandau, vice president and co-founder of WedSafe, said it makes sense for couples to protect their investment. "You wouldn't think about buying a BMW for $40,000 or $50,000, driving off the lot and not insuring it," Sandau said. But there's one misfortune that policies don't cover: a change of heart. Insurers say some betrothed couples do ask. Sandau said she and her husband, Roger, got the idea for their company after they had trouble finding a way to insure their destination wedding in Maui. WedSafe has been featured in various bridal magazines and advertises on the Web. But according to wedding planners, few couples have looked seriously at buying a policy. "People spend so much money on their weddings they should buy it, but I think they look at it as another expense," said Connecticut-based insurance agent Allison Steeves, who specializes in cancellation insurance for consumer and trade shows. But "it's never going to be a bad idea," said longtime wedding consultant Michelle Hodges. "If they have the money to spend, then sure. You can never have too much insurance." © - San Jose Mercury News |
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