Life isn’t perfect. But if you’re like many couples, you may hope that your wedding will be. Maybe you break out in a cold sweat when you think about what could go wrong. From missing vendors to natural disasters, a lot of unforeseen events can put your special day in jeopardy. Wedding insurance is one way that couples protect themselves from financial loss. Intrigued? Read on and find out more.

What Is Wedding Insurance?

You can insure people and possessions, but event insurance is a special coverage category. Sometimes referred to as one-day event insurance, these policies guard against unexpected losses related to a specific event. Wedding insurance is just one type of special event indemnification, but it’s one of the most common.

Most providers offer two general types of wedding insurance: liability and cancellation. Liability coverage protects you against liability claims generated by your event. Typical covered losses include guest injuries, illness, or damage to the venue. Some policies include liquor liability for alcohol-related incidents, but it’s a good idea to check with the insurer. Meanwhile, cancellation coverage reimburses policyholders for costs associated with canceling or postponing a wedding. These policies usually cover illnesses, extreme weather conditions, injuries, a death in the family, or other events beyond your control.

What About Attire, Gifts, and Rings?

Special coverages are available to protect attire, gifts, photographs, and other items from damage or theft. In most cases, they’re offered as additional riders for a primary policy. You may or may not need these depending on where you host your wedding. If you’re tying the knot in a backyard wedding, for instance, a homeowners’ or renters’ policy could pay for losses on physical possessions like gifts and jewelry while they’re on the premises. The Insurance Information Institute also mentions that military deployment may be covered with a special rider, but it could be included in your cancellation policy instead.

Are Vendor No-Shows Covered?

NerdWallet reveals vendor issues are one of the most common claim types. Vendor closings, negligence, and no-shows can negatively impact your event, forcing you to cancel the wedding or pay more money to fix these problems. If you must call off the wedding because of a venue closure or vendor mistake, this is probably covered by your cancellation policy. Also, vendor mishaps can cause major inconveniences but won’t necessarily force you to cancel. Depending on the insurer, special riders may cover these kinds of losses. Don’t forget about potential legal remedies that may be mandated by your state’s contract laws.

Where Can I Buy a Policy?

Both traditional and niche insurance providers sell special event insurance. Not all of the major insurers have gotten on board with offering wedding insurance policies, but Travelers, Progressive, USAA, Markel, and Allstate provide coverage options. Companies like Wedsafe and WedSure specialize in both liability and cancellation insurance, with many add-on coverages available.

How Much Does Wedding Insurance Cost?

Pricing can vary by insurer. NerdWallet explains that some basic liability policies start at less than $100. Adding cancellation coverage and special riders will increase the price, with some policies costing over $1,000. Your best bet is to request quotes from individual providers and compare pricing, coverage types, and deductibles. Don’t forget to review coverage limits as well.

Regardless of how you approach wedding planning, it never hurts to be prepared for worst-case scenarios. After all, you’re spending money and time to craft your event. Wedding insurance offers protection against many event-related financial losses. Before you buy, it’s a good idea to know what type of policy you need, shop a wide range of carriers, and evaluate your options.