What does wedding cancellation insurance cover?

Cancellation insurance is the core of most wedding policies. It protects you if you have to cancel or postpone the wedding for a reason that is specifically named in the policy. Typical covered reasons include serious illness or injury to you, your partner, or a close family member, the death of a close relative, or a fire or flood at the venue. Some policies also cover you if you are made redundant, but that is not always included, so check.

Supplier failure is usually part of cancellation cover too. If your caterer, venue or photographer goes out of business before the day, the policy can refund the money you have lost or help you pay for a replacement. Extreme weather, such as a storm that makes the venue unsafe, is often covered, but only if the venue is genuinely unusable, not just if it rains.

Cancellation cover does not pay out if you simply change your mind, or if you cancel because of a disagreement with a family member. It also does not cover events that were already known when you bought the policy, such as a pre-existing health condition. You must tell the insurer about anything that could affect your claim.

Each policy has a maximum payout, which is usually the total amount you insured. You should insure the full value of your wedding, including deposits and any non-refundable payments. If you postpone rather than cancel, many policies will transfer cover to the new date, but you must tell the insurer quickly. For exact terms, read the policy document and check GOV.UK for any legal changes.