What does event cancellation insurance pay for?

It pays the money you lose when an event is called off, postponed, cut short or moved for a cause the policy covers. Tokio Marine describes it as cover for “revenue or expenses should an event be cancelled, abandoned, interrupted, postponed, or relocated for reasons beyond their control”, plus the reasonable cost of trying to save the event.¹ For a wedding, the expenses are the deposits and fees you cannot get back.

Which causes does the policy cover?

ADNIC’s event cancellation proposal form lists causes and asks you to tick the ones you want:²

Tokio Marine’s examples of covered causes include severe weather, fires, floods, power cuts, terrorism and strikes, and it lists adverse weather, terrorism, war, civil commotion, national mourning and cyber as extensions.¹ Insurance House names natural disasters and the death of a ruler or other important figure.³

Does it pay if you change your mind?

None of the three insurers lists a change of mind, a family disagreement or a broken engagement as a cause. ADNIC’s wedding policy pays “if you have to cancel or rearrange the ceremony” and if “your caterer, band, or florist can’t carry out their contract”.⁴ Ask the insurer for the exact list of causes in the wording.

What will the insurer ask you?

ADNIC’s form asks, among other things:²

• the dates and venue, and any standby dates
• whether any part is in the open air, a marquee or a temporary structure, and whether the venue is exposed to strong wind or flooding
• whether written contracts are signed with the venue and the people who must appear
• whether every licence, visa and permit has been obtained
• the full budget of costs you want insured
• whether anything already known could lead to a claim

The form says your cover does not start when you sign it, only once ADNIC confirms cover in writing.²

When should you buy it?

As soon as you have paid the main deposits. ADNIC’s form says a circumstance that arises before acceptance can change or stop the offer of cover.²

Weather cover for outdoor weddings is covered in outdoor weddings and weather.

List every deposit and cancellation charge in the deposit tracker, then ask the insurer which causes on its list match the risks you are worried about.