Policy covers cancellation, postponement caused by severe weather, lost deposits and more

With the average wedding cost now reaching almost $30,000*, many brides and grooms are searching not only for the perfect place for their nuptials, but also for protection should anything go wrong. Recognizing the significant financial contribution that couples make on their big day, Long & Foster Insurance, a leading independent insurance agency that represents many of the nation’s top rated insurance companies, and Travelers now offer the Wedding Protector Plan, an insurance policy covering weddings.

“A wedding is one of the first large investments a couple will make, both emotionally and financially,” said Patrick Bain, president of Long & Foster Insurance. “Because there are so many moving parts, there are many opportunities for something to go wrong. It is important to protect such an investment.”

The Wedding Protector Plan provides coverage, with no deductible, for a variety of unfortunate occurrences associated with a wedding event. For example, coverage is provided if a hurricane causes the necessary and unavoidable cancellation or postponement of the event. Other covered items include postponement for withdrawal of military leave, forfeited and lost deposits, extra expenses associated with special attire, transportation, photography and entertainment expenses.

“A lot of time and money goes into planning your wedding,” said Bain. “Long & Foster Insurance wants to ensure that the wedding stays within your budget even if the unexpected happens.”

Vendor and venue problems remain the most frequent causes of wedding day mishaps for couples, according to an analysis of 2010 wedding insurance claims by Travelers.

For more information on the Wedding Protector Plan, visit www.ProtectMyWedding.com, where you’ll find a quiz to assess how much risk surrounds your wedding, as well as examples of coverage provided. The website also offers an e-newsletter for newlyweds, which covers topics from lifestyle to money management tips, designed to help couples become in-synch with their lives as one.

As long as the wedding is more than 14 days away, it’s not too late to secure insurance. The Wedding Protector Plan can cover events in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Bermuda, Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, the Caribbean Islands (excluding Cuba and Haiti) and cruise ships leaving from a port within those territories (some restrictions apply).

For more information on how to protect a wedding, contact Long & Foster Insurance or visit www.ProtectMyWedding.com or www.longandfoster.com/insurance.

*2013 TheKnot.com annual Real Weddings Study