Wedding insurance corona virus

06-03-2020 2:37pm #1

We're getting married in June and I want to take out wedding insurance for the possibility of the government banning mass gatherings (if possible). Most wedding insurance policies I have read don't inclue this. Does anyone have any suggestions? If this isn't possible, I would just get insurance to cover the hotel not being able to host and the band not turning up due to them not wanting to risk catching it.

I personally think we will all be grand by June, but I would pay for piece of mind!

woodchuck · 06-03-2020 2:48pm

Would a wedding count as a mass gathering? If they ban anything, I would've assumed it'll be large public gatherings such as matches, concerts etc. I highly doubt they'll be able to enforce a policy in relation to (relatively) small gatherings such as a wedding.

06-03-2020 2:51pm

woodchuck wrote: »

Would a wedding count as a mass gathering? If they ban anything, I would've assumed it'll be large public gatherings such as matches, concerts etc. I highly doubt they'll be able to enforce a policy in relation to (relatively) small gatherings such as a wedding.

You're probably right. I'm beginning to think what I'm looking for doesn't exist.

jlm29 · 06-03-2020 8:02pm

They were talking earlier in the week of banning mass gatherings, with more than 5000 people. Obviously they haven’t done that yet, but even if they do, the government won’t be able to force you to cancel a private function.

lazygal · 06-03-2020 9:39pm

It'll be more likely you'll have late cancellations and no shows on the day. Which depending on your contact you might have to pay for. I think we confirmed numbers a couple of days before and then had a couple of no shows on the day itself. I remember sending meals to our photographer and videographer because we were paying for them anyway.

Bacchus · 07-03-2020 6:56pm

I've heard from a few sources that insurers are not going to cover Coronavirus related incidents on new policies. I think policies taken out before this all blew up (not sure of specific date) would be covered though. They're basically protecting themselves from a potential surge in claims due to the outbreak.

La.m · 10-03-2020 5:30pm

jlm29 wrote: »

They were talking earlier in the week of banning mass gatherings, with more than 5000 people. Obviously they haven’t done that yet, but even if they do, the government won’t be able to force you to cancel a private function.

They've banned weddings and funerals in Italy

woodchuck · 11-03-2020 9:51am

La.m wrote: »

They've banned weddings and funerals in Italy

Yeah that's really worrying

We got our wedding insurance months ago with weddinginsurance.ie. The T&Cs include "the booked venue for the Wedding or Wedding Reception being unable to hold Your Wedding due to an outbreak of infectious or contagious disease".

I've heard rumours that they're updating their T&Cs so that new bookings won't be covered by the coronavirus, but I can't confirm that. I could see them getting around paying out though if you knew it was an issue when you took out the insurance.

But like, if the venue cancels your booking due to the virus, I think the onus on them is to give you your money back anyway.

NIMAN · 11-03-2020 9:53am

I wouldn't want to be getting married in the next 6 months, thats for sure.

I would be expecting an awful lot of "we are terribly sorry, we can't make it now, hope you have a great day" messages in the coming weeks and months.

woodchuck · 11-03-2020 9:56am

NIMAN wrote: »

I wouldn't want to be getting married in the next 6 months, thats for sure.

I'm getting married in 6 months and 1 week... I'll be grand sure :rolleyes:

Neyite · 11-03-2020 10:23am

NIMAN wrote: »

I wouldn't want to be getting married in the next 6 months, thats for sure.

Yep, that would be me. More worried about people wasting their money on travelling home for it and not getting reimbursed, and the more vulnerable people in my family being exposed to it. Mine is a very small wedding and the venue would be happy to reschedule so I don't think I'd lose out there.

The honeymoon is to a destination in Europe that so far have less cases than us. So hopefully it's unaffected. I've travel insurance and also wedding insurance so if they won't issue credit in the event of non-travel or interruption I might be able to claim some way. I think most suppliers are being reasonable from what I've heard from forums where weddings in Italy are cancelled - Irish people are saying that they've been told that they can hold all the arrangements until a later date, so that's reassuring.

cr-07 · 11-03-2020 11:32am

My wedding is to take place on the 27th of March in Galway with a crowd of about 140 people. I don't have wedding insurance and have been ringing around to see if I can get it but no luck as of yet. Do you think it will be cancelled or anything of that sort? Extremely worried I must say!

Shelli2 · 11-03-2020 11:40am

My wedding is May 2nd.
We had already cancelled our honeymoon as it was a Mediterranean cruise.

Then on 1st March my Father passed away, one of his wishes was that the wedding went ahead as planned. I'm heartbroken, I can't believe he won't be walking me down the aisle and seeing his little girl marry a wonderful man who my dad loved so much.
Now this virus is threatening the day, I'm at breaking point, I don't know how much more I can take.

morchgally · 11-03-2020 11:49am

Wondering if anyone knows of any insurance companies other than blue insurance that covers weddings? Trying to get in before they all change their T&C's?

Thanks

mooreman09 · 11-03-2020 1:12pm

I don't think we should panic. I know I'm getting married in Aug and am confident if the worst happens and the venue lets us down due to the virus, they would at least reschedule and financially we would be ok. Otherwise I don't see the impact stopping those closest to us from going. You'll hear scaremongering from people who have no horse in the race, but those who care about you all will pull through and you'll have a great time.

I'm taking the virus very serious, but weddings will not be cancelled on mass.

Don't panic.

Shelli, very sorry to hear your story. I hope everything goes great and you have the day your Dad wished you to have.

jellybear · 11-03-2020 1:18pm

Shelli2 wrote: »

My wedding is May 2nd.
We had already cancelled our honeymoon as it was a Mediterranean cruise.

Then on 1st March my Father passed away, one of his wishes was that the wedding went ahead as planned. I'm heartbroken, I can't believe he won't be walking me down the aisle and seeing his little girl marry a wonderful man who my dad loved so much.
Now this virus is threatening the day, I'm at breaking point, I don't know how much more I can take.

I'm so, so sorry to hear about your dad.
I hope you have the best day you possibly can, given the circumstances. Just remember, you're marrying your best friend and it doesn't matter where you get married and whether guests will make it or not due to the Coronavirus, it'll be such a special day for you both regardless.
Mind yourself!

Eggs For Dinner · 11-03-2020 1:24pm

If people seek cover because a claim is either imminent or the risk is hugely increased, it is known as 'selection against insurers '. Anyone who purchased the cover before it became widespread knowledge should be fine, anyone looking for it now is unlikely to secure it

curly from cork · 11-03-2020 9:35pm

What are the chance of my wedding going ahead, Sat week 21 March ?
Church then hotel - 200 guests.
Seriously stressing ..will churches be told to close .. will gatherings of 200 be classed as too big. Instead of enjoying the lead up we are just worried sick. Will our guests come ? Should we even consider the worst possible scenario for us and cancel
No insurance.

lazygal · 11-03-2020 9:43pm

I wouldn't attend a church wedding and large reception on 21st March. We have a social occasion on that weekend and it will quite possibly be cancelled. Nothing to stop you getting married, which is the most important but of the day after all. But I could see a huge number of no shows.

jlm29 · 11-03-2020 10:15pm

Tbh, if you’ve no insurance, you can’t do anything anyhow. It’s s**t, but it is what it is. You just need to see what happens. A week Is a long long time at the moment.
But it is true. Even if it’s just yourselves and close family in the church, you’ll be just as married at the end of the day.

woodchuck · 11-03-2020 11:05pm

None of us can predict the future unfortunately

If I was you, I'd just wait and see for the moment. It absolutely sucks though. I've a friend getting married this weekend and she's fretting too. She booked days off for beauty treatments etc and just isn't enjoying any of it from the sounds of things.

IF you did have to cancel/reschedule, I wouldn't even be that worried about whether or not you have insurance. I would be highly surprised if the venue wouldn't be accommodating and let you move the celebrations to another date. From what I've been hearing through the grapevine, suppliers are actually being really decent about it all.

12-03-2020 10:43am

Thanks for all the replies. I tried in vain to get insurance to cover virus related incidents but no one seems to be doing it. Got insurance anyway to cover the other bits. I think all will have calmed by May, but I could see us having a much smaller wedding due to no shows.

Fingers crossed it will all be grand.

iwillhtfu · 12-03-2020 12:48pm

cr-07 wrote: »

My wedding is to take place on the 27th of March in Galway with a crowd of about 140 people. I don't have wedding insurance and have been ringing around to see if I can get it but no luck as of yet. Do you think it will be cancelled or anything of that sort? Extremely worried I must say!

As per the latest news regarding school closures etc between this evening and 29th March "Indoor gatherings of 100 people and outdoor gatherings of 500 people should be cancelled" Perhaps the hotel will be obliged to offer anther date.

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/coronavirus-crisis-wide-ranging-new-restrictions-for-ireland-1.4200881

skallywag · 12-03-2020 1:07pm

cr-07 wrote: »

My wedding is to take place on the 27th of March in Galway with a crowd of about 140 people. I don't have wedding insurance and have been ringing around to see if I can get it but no luck as of yet. Do you think it will be cancelled or anything of that sort? Extremely worried I must say!

Based on Leo's speech this morning I think that you may have to at the very least reduce your numbers.

skallywag · 12-03-2020 1:09pm

Deleted User wrote: »

I tried in vain to get insurance to cover virus related incidents but no one seems to be doing it.

I would imagine that even if you could find a company who normally offer this coverage, that they will currently not offer it to any new customers.

Salary Negotiator · 12-03-2020 1:12pm

No point looking for insurance now, it won’t cover you for pre-existing issues/cancellations.

ednwireland · 12-03-2020 1:14pm

LV insurance just announced in the uk they wont be selling any new travel insurance policies so i supect any event based insurance will go the same way quickly

SozBbz · 12-03-2020 1:15pm

There is no way any insurance company is going to offer cover at this stage. Its far too likely to actually happen.

It doesnt make sense that a company would offer cover to new customers for something that they'd likely be expected to pay out on so soon.

It would be like having a heart attack and then trying to get a new health insurance policy - they are not going to cover you for heart issues (at least not straight away) because the reason you're looking for cover is because theres a big, obvious known risk.

You can't take out new cover for anything once the writing is already on the wall.

cr-07 · 12-03-2020 1:43pm

Tried to get insurance yesterday but with no luck. Hotel hasn't contacted me yet, but I say they will soon. I am supposed to meet with the wedding coordinator from the hotel this Saturday, will have a look at our options then. 100% not going to reduce numbers, don't want to go telling people they can't come now. All well and good if the hotel give me a new date, but what about the videographer, photographer, band, DJ, cake guy, HSE etc.. Just feel like I have been nailed to the dryboard.

jamesf85 · 13-03-2020 2:52pm

Not sure if this helps but I took out a policy on Sunday for our wedding in Spain. The very next day they emailed saying that from 5pm that day there would be no more cover for Covid19. I assume everyone with a policy before 5pm on Monday is covered for it and anything after that isn't. Luckily we got in just in time.

jamesf85 · 13-03-2020 2:55pm

woodchuck wrote: »

I could see them getting around paying out though if you knew it was an issue when you took out the insurance.

We emailed them to clarify this and they said we would be covered.

They also emailed us the next day saying that any new policies aren't covered. That email alone is an admission that old policies are.

They may fight it, but what judge is going to rule in their favour? The entire world knew about the outbreak. We made it clear that that was the event we were getting insurance against and there was no circumstance that they weren't aware of when the insurance was taken out.

PhilOssophy · 13-03-2020 2:57pm

Ya haven't a hope of getting any insurance to cover something they know is happening.

jamesf85 · 13-03-2020 3:03pm

PhilOssophy wrote: »

Ya haven't a hope of getting any insurance to cover something they know is happening.

We emailed them last week before taking out insurance and they clarified that if the venue can't host the wedding because of a contagious disease then we are covered or if the department of foreign affairs issues a statement advising against travel to the area that the wedding is taking place.

We paid for insurance on this pretense. At the time there was no official line from government here at the time and the outbreak in Spain (wedding location) wasn't as bad. We specifically asked them about covid 19 and if it gets worse and they said we would be covered if we can't fly or if the area is locked down.

Then on Monday we got an email saying as of 5pm that day they will no longer be covering covid19 in their policy. This in itself shows anyone up until that time were covered for it.

Thankfully we are covered as we took out the policy before 5pm on Monday.

woodchuck · 13-03-2020 3:29pm

We have ours with weddinginsurance.ie and they have the following on their website now:
Please note that any new wedding policy issued after 6pm on 10th March 2020, will no longer provide cover for claims resulting from Covid-19 (Coronavirus).

I've a friend getting married this Sunday. She's still planning to go ahead atm with less than 100 guests (not difficult, lots of drop out). That could all change though

jamesf85 · 13-03-2020 3:41pm

Not much will change between now and Sunday. It's a pain but look it's only one day. If it needs to be postponed then it's a pain but there are much worse things.

In regards to the outbreak as a wole, hopefully these measures will help curb it a little. I'm not sure if many remember the swine flu around 10 years ago.

It killed between 150,000 and 500,000 worldwide and infected up to 1.4 billion. But twitter, instagram and smartphones weren't as prevalent so people weren't as aware of it even though it killed 475 in Ireland.

Lets hope this isn't as bad.

woodchuck · 13-03-2020 3:52pm

Tbh we're still half expecting her to postpone the wedding for this Sunday. The venue are telling her that they'll have to pay for 100 guests because they have all the food ordered in, but there could be a lot less than that. She's had so many people drop out. I'm not sure what her number is down to, but she had a lot that were supposed to travel from abroad. And even some people who are local are dropping out because they're worried about catching something and transmitting it to vulnerable people in their family.

She was trying to get onto her wedding insurance earlier to see if they'd cover the difference in cost. Naturally she was having a hard time getting through to them...

Update: My friends wedding is off

The venue cancelled because one of their staff members is being tested for the virus.

skallywag · 13-03-2020 3:58pm

That's a right balls Woodchuck.

I would unfortunately not be holding out on the insurers coming through either, I believe that sometime like this current situation cannot actually be insured against.

Though if the venue cancelled, then you are covered I guess?

jamesf85 · 13-03-2020 4:09pm

skallywag wrote: »

That's a right balls Woodchuck.

I would unfortunately not be holding out on the insurers coming through either, I believe that sometime like this current situation cannot actually be insured against.

Though if the venue cancelled, then you are covered I guess?

I'm not sure how they wouldn't have to pay out.

They're specifically saying that you are covered if you took the insurance out before a certain time.

Their whole purpose is to offer protection in these eventualities. They had every right to refuse to insure, once they accept the risk then they don't really have an out. They were privy to the same (if not more) information as the general public.

The current situation is an infectious disease outbreak. It's not the first time it's ever happened.

woodchuck · 13-03-2020 4:21pm

I think because the venue themselves have cancelled, she should be ok - they'd have to let her transfer the booking to another date surely.

From what I've been hearing, other suppliers are being really decent too and letting people transfer the deposits/payments to another date.

Might not even resort to the insurance.

I'm sure she's absolutely devastated though. We're all offering to help, but what can we do?

Genuinely, if anyone has any advice for how we help her though this I'm all ears.

Neyite · 13-03-2020 4:36pm

If your insurance was taken out in good faith - as in, at the time of purchase you had no reason to suspect your wedding or elements of your wedding would get cancelled, AND they have a clause in the policy that covers cancellation then you would likely have cover.

I think we will see most vendors and venues do their best to help people caught out badly by this. I'd imagine that any supplier not offering some sort of alternative down the line will get a lashing online given this is nobodys' fault. The flip side is that I've seen chatter of venues telling couples who have to cancel that they'll do their best to see them right at a later date, whenever that is.

My contingency plan if it's still like this when my wedding comes around is to see if the celebrant will go ahead on the date with the two required witnesses, then have the reception at another time - my venue have said they'll honour that and if the DIY elements of our honeymoon can't refund via Travel or Wedding Insurance I'll ask the hotel to defer our paid booking to a later date. My guess is that I'd lose a max of 2.5k if it all went tits up which sucks, but in the grand scheme of things is an amount I could live with if I had to.

PhilOssophy · 13-03-2020 4:41pm

I think most hotels, etc will be reasonable and offer you an alternative day. Its better than a wedding in this hysteria.

jamesf85 · 13-03-2020 4:45pm

Neyite wrote: »

If your insurance was taken out in good faith - as in, at the time of purchase you had no reason to suspect your wedding or elements of your wedding would get cancelled,

I take our car insurance knowing that there is a possibility I'll be in an accident.

I took out wedding insurance as there was a virus that could potentially disrupt my wedding. The insurance company were aware of that. They have acknowledged that new policies don't include cover for covid 19, meaning old ones did.

You could argue any reason a wedding might be cancelled, you suspected it might have happened and was why you took it out in the first place.

skallywag · 13-03-2020 5:14pm

I would hazard a guess that a pandemic may be outside of the terms of their T&C's.

Fine print reading time I guess ...

skallywag · 13-03-2020 5:18pm

jamesf85 wrote: »

Their whole purpose is to offer protection in these eventualities.

I think that is the whole crux of the argument though.

'these eventualities' have not honestly existed in the last one hundread years.

That said I have no idea to be honest how it will pan out, I am at sea as much as the rest of us.

DodgeS · 13-03-2020 5:42pm

We are set to be married on the 27th of March, as per contract the only way we get our money back is if the venue cancels (pandemics is listed as one of the reasons they may cancel). They have closed doors to the public until the 30th of March but have said they will be open for our wedding with some minor changes to the schedule as we have less than 100 guests.

We have had to postpone for now out of courtesy to our guests and to bring at least some certainty for ourselves and everyone else. Would have preferred if the venue had cancelled but obviously they want the business and are currently not breaking any restrictions.

Contacting suppliers now to see what can be done. Hopefully all of them are sound.

Eggs For Dinner · 14-03-2020 9:32am

jamesf85 wrote: »

They may fight it, but what judge is going to rule in their favour? The entire world knew about the outbreak.

Including yourself, that's where you may fall down

Your policy document is king. If the wording allows it you're fine. If it is endorsed to exclude it, you're not

jamesf85 · 14-03-2020 2:11pm

Eggs For Dinner wrote: »

Including yourself, that's where you may fall down

Your policy document is king. If the wording allows it you're fine. If it is endorsed to exclude it, you're not

I read their documentation before taking it out.

It said if there is a contagious disease outbreak then you are covered or if flights are suspended meaning you can't travel you are also covered.

There were no travel restrictions in place at the time.

The also have on their website that they no longer cover for covid19 as of 10 March. Our policy was taken out the 9th.

Eggs For Dinner · 14-03-2020 8:10pm

jamesf85 wrote: »

I read their documentation before taking it out.

It said if there is a contagious disease outbreak then you are covered or if flights are suspended meaning you can't travel you are also covered.

There were no travel restrictions in place at the time.

The also have on their website that they no longer cover for covid19 as of 10 March. Our policy was taken out the 9th.

Just make sure your policy documents reflect the cover you read before taking it out.

woodchuck · 16-03-2020 10:30am

woodchuck wrote: »

Update: My friends wedding is off The venue cancelled because one of their staff members is being tested for the virus.

By some miracle, they actually managed to get married yesterday. They found another venue and it was just a very small group for the ceremony and a meal. I think the same venue is shutting their doors today, so they were very lucky under the circumstances.

woodchuck · 27-03-2020 5:22pm

For anyone who is still interested in the insurance situation, there is a debating raging on Facebook...

It's a bit all over the place, but it was previously communicated by weddinginsurance.ie that they would cover coronavirus. See the following link:
https://www.rsvplive.ie/life/weddings/late-take-out-wedding-insurance-21666162?fbclid=IwAR1SZm9Cg5UqgW4tdAeX5dc7rLTHaXaaUF17NgXEPia-16qvgPx043rJv-E
In addition, screenshots have been shared on Facebook where this question was asked and they responded to confirm that they would be covered. This is under the following part of the policy (pasted from my own policy, taken out last year):

"What You Are Covered For:
We will pay up to the amount shown in the
Summary for any irrecoverable expenses incurred
by You in respect of Ceremonial Attire /
Bridal Attire, flowers, photographs, caterers,
transport, accommodation and the services from
any other wedding supplier booked but not used
as a direct result of the unavoidable cancellation
or curtailment of the Wedding or Wedding
Reception as the result of:
1. the booked venue for the Wedding or Wedding Reception being unable to hold Your Wedding due to an outbreak of infectious or contagious disease, damage to the venue, murder or suicide at the premises
or closure of the venue by the relevant authority"

However, one bride is now sharing a conversation they've had with weddinginsurance.ie very recently where they are stating that they are NOT covered by coronavirus (FYI she took the policy out before 10th March). The response stated that they are not covered due to the following part of the policy wording:
"What You Are Not Covered For:
1. the first €50 of each and every claim 2. pecuniary losses recoverable from any other
source 3. Any claim arising directly or indirectly from:
a) government regulation or act
b) strikes or labour disputes
c) unemployment other than redundancy as
specified in 1(5) above"

So I guess there was a window where people were being covered by the insurance (weddings were still allowed to go ahead, but less than 100 people). But at the moment, for anyone who needs to reschedule their wedding, it sounds like weddinginsurance.ie are not willing to cover it

Neyite · 27-03-2020 5:29pm

If she's got written confirmation from them that it would be covered then she should stand her ground on that and keep insisting that they confirmed on X date that her policy covered her.

I think most vendors though are transferring dates and deposits for people and not leaving them out of pocket so unless someone's at a financial loss then they wouldn't be claiming I suppose.

I've got my venue to change the date to an as-yet-unknown one, same with my honeymoon accommodation so I'm not out of pocket thankfully, but it must be so hard for people right now who have spent loads and it's all one big mess now.

Wedding insurance corona virus

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