COVID-19 has thrown everyone a curveball, including engaged couples. By now, its impacts on weddings almost seem like old news. Social distancing is commonplace, and couples are asking guests to get vaccinated. But the Omicron variant is another nasty surprise most of us didn’t bargain for. You may be thinking about getting a wedding insurance policy if you’re tying the knot in 2022, but will it provide the coverage you need? This short guide explains how these policies work in the COVID age.

The Basics of Wedding Insurance

The goal of insurance is to protect against the risk of major financial losses. Such losses occur from unexpected events such as burglaries, auto accidents, and the like. Some types of insurance guard policyholders in case others bring claims against them. If your dog bites someone on your property, for example, your homeowner’s insurance may kick in to pay the other party’s medical bills and damages.

Wedding insurance is just a different form of event insurance. The Balance explains that most wedding policies include both liability and cancellation coverage. The event liability portion typically reimburses for bodily injury and property damage claims against you. Cancellation coverage applies when you must call off the event, usually due to unforeseen circumstances such as severe weather or vendor cancellations.

How Wedding Insurance Deals With COVID-19

During 2020 and 2021, insurers struggled with how to handle event cancellation claims from COVID-19. One key concept is force majeure, also known as “acts of God” clauses. Investopedia explains that force majeure clauses may excuse contract parties from fulfilling their responsibilities in unforeseeable, irresistible, and external circumstances.

Before COVID-19 was a widely known threat, insurers were more likely to reimburse for cancellations. The Knot’s Sarah Hanlon mentions that these reimbursements became less frequent as COVID became a “known event.” Insurers evolved the coverage they offered as the pandemic progressed. Some companies like WedSafe evaluated claims on a case-by-case basis but stopped offering cancellation coverage. Other insurers, such as Travelers, still offered cancellation coverage but did not pay for COVID-related claims. Coverage limits have also dropped, says New York Times reporter Daniel Bortz.

Omicron’s Impacts on Weddings

Given that COVID-19 is considered a known event, any changes that insurers have already made to their coverage would still apply to the Omicron variant. That translates to denied claims, lower damage limits, or no cancellation coverage at all. This is especially important, now that we know more about the virus — what it does, how it spreads, and how to mitigate its effects.

With this in mind, safety practices are still key if you’re planning to wed in 2022. Wedding Wire contributor Jenn Sinrich stresses the importance of following these protocols at your event. Hygiene is still vital to slowing down and stopping COVID-19’s spread, so providing masks and hand sanitizer is a smart step. You’ll also want to keep a lower guest count so that everyone attending can conveniently distance and avoid close contact.

You’re also justified in asking guests about their vaccination status and setting guidelines in place. Jenn Sinrich weighs in again, this time in a July 2021 Brides piece on vaccine etiquette. How you communicate your COVID-19 safety measures makes a huge difference. You can ask non-vaccinated guests to get tested. You can also set up temperature check stations at your venue. Don’t forget to offer livestreaming for your event. This allows more people to celebrate with you, regardless of their vaccination status.

Protecting Yourself and Your Guests

Will your wedding insurance pay out if you cancel due to COVID-19? At this point, probably not. But purchasing a policy can still shield against financial losses from other unforeseen problems. And with COVID sticking around in some form, you should use proven measures to protect everyone’s health. Preparation is important to ensure a memorable and successful wedding.