Wedding planning requires nerves of steel, but it also needs a hefty dose of experience and expertise.
Many couples start to question their sanity when they realize how stressful, time-consuming, and difficult planning a wedding can be.
A wedding planner takes a massive amount of the work off of the bride and groom’s plate and will take the reigns seemingly effortlessly. In short, they are worth their weight in gold!
But wedding planners are not immune to problems – they hide them well. Wedding planning is quite a risky business, which is why it’s so vital for them to have insurance in place.
If you’re a groom wondering what wedding planner insurance is, or if you’re a wedding planner yourself, here’s everything you need to know about it.
Wedding planners have to jump through many hoops to ensure they deliver a perfect day for the bride and groom.
Keeping so many plates spinning in the air can lead to some fraught situations, occasionally resulting in a lawsuit. And if there is no insurance in place, the wedding planner will pick up the bill.
To avoid paying for a claim, wedding and event planners need the appropriate coverage to protect themselves, and wedding planner insurance coverage does just that.
Yes! Wedding planners need insurance 100%.
These are all genuine scenarios that a wedding planner can face. Even the most diligent event planner isn’t immune to the odd mistake being made and can’t prevent an accident from taking place.
No professional wants to live in constant fear of facing a lawsuit. If that were the case, no one would ever leave the house!
That’s why wedding and event planner insurance is, therefore, crucial. It provides a necessary safety net to protect wedding planners and allows them to continue working with complete peace of mind.
Insurance for a wedding planner consists of a collection of coverages to protect every possible scenario. As the saying goes, “leave no stone unturned,” and that’s exactly what this insurance coverage provides.
Here’s an overview of what coverage is provided:
General liability insurance protects from third-party claims for property damage or bodily injury, and this is arguably the most essential coverage to have.
Where the wedding planning business is concerned, here are a few examples that liability insurance will protect:
Claims resulting from these scenarios often lead to a buildup of defense costs, including lawyer and court fees, for which the wedding planner is liable unless they have the appropriate coverage.
Another hugely important aspect of wedding planner insurance is professional liability insurance, AKA errors and omissions insurance. This protects the wedding planner if they are found negligent.
Essentially, the liability policy covers any mistakes the planner makes and if they forget to do something like book a vendor. Here are some examples:
Professional liability coverage will pay for defense costs like general liability if a claim is made.
Commercial auto insurance is also required if a wedding planner uses a vehicle specifically for business purposes.
This works the same as personal auto insurance but provides coverage for vehicles used for business and commercial purposes – something that private auto insurance does not cover.
This is because business vehicles are considered to have a higher risk for liability and property damage claims than personal vehicles.
The final component of wedding planner insurance is coverage for employees – if there are any.
It’s common for planners specializing in large weddings to have one or two assistants on board. If this is the case, coverage is required should an employee fall sick or sustain an injury while on the job.
This coverage is very similar to the general liability insurance for bodily injury outlined above, but the crucial point to remember is that general liability insurance does not cover employees.
Additionally, workers’ compensation is mandatory in some states and can carry some hefty penalties if ignored.
If you’re a wedding planner, then it’s essential first to consider the type of coverage you need. For example, workers compensation coverage won’t be necessary if you don’t have employees. Additionally, commercial auto coverage will not work if you don’t have a designated vehicle for business use.
When you have determined your insurance requirements, it’s time to start shopping around. The level of coverage provided differs from insurer to insurer, so find a few that offer a comprehensive policy.
The next step is to get several quotes. Don’t go for the cheapest option, as this likely won’t represent the best value. Choose one that provides the right level of coverage for a reasonable price.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. You must understand exactly what coverage you’ll get and any disclaimers or exclusions the policy includes.
A wedding planner insurance policy can vary significantly in price. Insurance cost is influenced by many factors, including:
Because of this, the insurance policy will have bespoke pricing that can only be determined by requesting a quote.
But, to give you a ballpark figure, the average wedding planner insurance cost ranges from around $39/month for a basic policy up to $59/month for all singing and dancing coverage.
Wedding planner insurance covers third-party property damage, bodily injury, and accidents and omissions. It may also include commercial auto and worker’s compensation coverage if necessary.
The average cost of a wedding planner is $2,000 – $5,000, but you can find them at many different price points. Always ensure your chosen wedding planner is reputable and reliable,
Yes! You definitely need wedding insurance! Weddings are costly, so you want to protect the money you spend in case the worst happens. Additionally, if you’re using a wedding planner, make sure they also have coverage and can show you their certificate of insurance.
Professional liability insurance is a vital component of business insurance because it protects the business owner from any claims filed for negligence. This type of insurance is also called “errors and omissions insurance.”
The moment you’re required to pay for wedding-related items is when you should get wedding insurance. Wedding vendor deposits can be hefty, so you want to ensure you have protection in place for them as soon as they’re paid.
Whether you are a wedding planner or not, organizing your big day is not a small task, and we applaud anyone who successfully gets through it all without a hiccup!
To help, The Groom Club has committed to becoming the number one source for grooms in the midst of it all. From Ultimate Guides to exploring important religious and cultural wedding traditions, we’ve got many interesting articles to get your teeth into.
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