The Ultimate Guide to Wedding and Jewelry Insurance: Protect Your Big Day

Why separate jewelry insurance is better than adding it to your homeowners policy

Dustin strongly recommends keeping your engagement ring insurance separate from your homeowners or renters insurance policy. Not only does a dedicated policy offer broader coverage, but it can also help protect you from potential issues down the line.

With all the extreme weather events we’ve been seeing, homeowners insurance rates are going way up. If you file a claim for your ring through your homeowners, you might see your premiums increase—or worse, your insurer could drop you altogether.

Dustin gave the example of someone living in a high-risk area like Florida: If they lose their ring and file it under homeowners, they might get reimbursed, but they could also lose coverage or struggle to get insured elsewhere.

With a separate policy, you avoid those risks—and often get better protection at a lower price.

Should you insure jewelry besides the engagement ring?

While engagement rings are typically the first thing people think to insure, Dustin recommends looking at your full collection—especially if you’re someone who regularly wears or travels with fine jewelry.

In most cases, BriteCo policies will include not just the engagement ring, but also wedding bands for both partners. Beyond that, you can insure any valuable pieces you wouldn’t want to replace out of pocket—like diamond stud earrings, tennis bracelets, watches, or family heirlooms.

If you have a $4,000 pair of studs and think it would be painful to replace them, it’s probably worth the small annual premium. If losing it would sting financially or emotionally, it’s worth insuring.

What are the most common reasons people file jewelry insurance claims?

Dustin notes that no matter how careful you are, life happens—and jewelry is particularly vulnerable in certain situations. You can be the most responsible person in the world and still lose a piece of jewelry.

Here are the most common reasons couples end up needing to file a claim:

Water-related losses

Whether it’s a beach honeymoon, a waterpark, or just washing your hands in a public restroom, water is the biggest culprit. People lose jewelry in or around water all the time. Rings can slip off in the ocean, fall into a pool, or even slide down a sink drain—especially if they’re not sized quite right yet or your fingers are affected by temperature and humidity changes.

Theft

Unfortunately, jewelry theft is more common than you might think. Dustin shared they had a claim recently where someone was walking in Manhattan and their watch was stolen right off them. These high-value items can be targets—especially in crowded or urban areas—so it’s essential to protect yourself with insurance coverage that gives you peace of mind.

Damage and wear

.From accidentally knocking your ring on a car door to noticing a stone missing without knowing when it happened, damage claims are frequent. Jewelry is meant to be worn and enjoyed, but over time, wear and tear can lead to chips, lost stones, or bent prongs. Insurance ensures that you’re not left footing the bill for repairs or replacements.

Are there any common misconceptions about what jewelry insurance covers?

One of the biggest misconceptions Dustin sees is couples assuming their homeowner’s or renter’s insurance automatically covers their engagement ring or other fine jewelry. There are big gaps in coverage with homeowner’s policies. A lot of people don’t realize that mysterious disappearance—when your jewelry goes missing without an obvious explanation—is usually not covered. And that’s the most common reason people file a claim.

While BriteCo offers some of the broadest coverage in the industry, Dustin emphasizes that not all jewelry insurance policies are created equal. Every company structures their policies differently, so it’s essential to read the fine print—or at least know what to ask.

What’s not typically covered?

Intentional loss or fraud: Like most insurance policies, BriteCo doesn’t cover misrepresentation or intentional damage.
Large deductibles: Many homeowner’s policies come with deductibles that are disproportionately high for jewelry claims. But with BriteCo, there are no deductibles. You’re not coming out of pocket at all if you file a claim.”

Whether you’re shopping around or comparing options, don’t just look at the price—look at what’s included, what’s excluded, and what kind of service you can expect when something goes wrong.

Does wedding liability insurance cover multiple days and locations?

Yes! Not only does BriteCo’s liability insurance cover up to five consecutive days (think: welcome events, wedding day, farewell brunch), but it also applies across different venues. Whether your rehearsal dinner is at a separate restaurant or your farewell brunch is poolside at a rental home, you're covered.

It also includes coverage for setup and breakdown, which is especially important if your vendor team is on-site early or late.

What about alcohol-related incidents or private property weddings?

Weddings and alcohol tend to go hand-in-hand—and yes, alcohol can complicate liability coverage. That’s why BriteCo includes host liquor liability as part of their standard policy.

If a guest brings their own alcohol or you’re hosting at a private property, that’s when things can get tricky. But BriteCo's policy automatically includes coverage for alcohol-related incidents where the couple is considered the host.

So whether you’re planning a backyard wedding with an open bar or a lakeside festival weekend, BriteCo’s policy is designed to protect you.

Are pets covered by wedding liability insurance?

Yes! And according to Dustin, BriteCo might be one of the only companies offering this.

Including your dog or cat in the ceremony? You’re not alone—it’s a growing trend. But pets, while adorable, can be unpredictable. From chewing on rental furniture to having accidents on expensive rugs, pet-related damage is something couples don’t always think about. With BriteCo, dogs and cats are covered in their liability policy.

How much does wedding liability insurance cost, and is it worth it?

Short answer: It’s a no-brainer.

Liability insurance is around $120
Cancellation insurance is about $200

And if you purchase both together through BriteCo, you can save an additional 10%.

These policies are priced based on guest count (for liability) and your total wedding budget (for cancellation). For cancellation, Dustin recommends insuring the full value of your wedding. That way, in the event of extreme weather, venue closure, or an emergency postponement, you're not losing thousands.

What is wedding cancellation insurance?

While liability insurance protects couples from unexpected mishaps on the wedding day, cancellation insurance covers events that prevent the wedding from happening altogether—or require rescheduling.

Dustin explained that wedding cancellation insurance covers both full cancellations and postponements. Common reasons for using this coverage include:

Severe weather events (like hurricanes, snowstorms, or wildfires)
Sudden illness of a couple, family member, or wedding party member
Venue issues, including unexpected closures or damage
Vendor no-shows that derail the day-of logistics

In one recent example, a venue on the East Coast abruptly went bankrupt and shut down—just one week before a couple’s wedding. If they had wedding cancellation insurance, the policy would have stepped in to help cover any new deposits, vendors, or added costs to secure a new location in time.

Does cancellation insurance also cover lost deposits or last-minute changes?

Yes! If a couple is forced to find a new venue, florist, or caterer on short notice due to cancellation or postponement, BriteCo will cover all the new deposits and expenses related to rebooking.

Dustin broke it down with a hypothetical scenario:

Let’s say your venue unexpectedly closes, and you've already paid 75% of your total cost. In a scramble to rebook, you now need to find a new venue, hire a new caterer, and maybe even rework the floral design if your original florist is unavailable. These new expenses add up quickly—and BriteCo would step in to relieve that financial burden.

What are the most common reasons couples file a cancellation insurance claim?

According to Dustin, the top reasons include:

Weather-related issues
Illness within the couple or immediate family
Vendor complications, such as a florist, photographer, or other critical vendor backing out unexpectedly

These aren’t always dramatic, full-day cancellations. Sometimes, it’s the loss of one vendor that creates a domino effect of expenses—and insurance coverage helps minimize that financial stress.

What is “Cancel for Any Reason” insurance—and how does it work?

This is where things get really unique. BriteCo is one of the few companies offering an optional Cancel for Any Reason upgrade to their standard cancellation insurance.

As the name suggests, this add-on lets couples cancel their wedding for literally any reason—even something like:

A change of heart
Feeling that the timing just isn’t right
Wanting to wait due to personal or family-related reasons

This add-on does have a small upcharge (usually 1–2% of your total wedding budget), but it can offer a huge sense of relief in emotionally difficult situations.

Dustin shared they've seen couples that still love each other and want to get married—but life happens. A parent gets sick, or personal circumstances change, and they need to postpone. Cancel for Any Reason coverage gives them the space and support to make that decision without financial stress.

When should couples purchase wedding insurance?

Dustin recommends making wedding insurance one of your earliest to-dos—ideally around the same time you book your venue.

It’s affordable, easy to set up, and provides a huge amount of peace of mind. In many cases, venues will require proof of wedding liability insurance at least 30 to 60 days before the wedding date, but Dustin advises checking it off sooner if possible.

If your venue has strict insurance requirements (some won’t even allow access to the property without it), you’ll want to be prepared. That’s why adding insurance to your planning checklist early ensures you’re not scrambling later.

What does it mean to add a venue as an “additional insured”—and do couples need to do this?

Many venues ask to be added as an additional insured on a couple’s wedding liability policy. But what does that actually mean?

Essentially, adding a venue as an additional insured protects them from liability if something goes wrong. For example:

A guest gets injured on the dance floor and files a claim
Property is damaged during the event (like a broken sink or stained rug)

If the venue is listed as an additional insured, they’re covered under your policy—so they’re not left vulnerable to potential lawsuits or damages.

The good news? BriteCo makes this incredibly easy. When purchasing a policy, couples can input their venue details during checkout. And for an even more seamless experience, BriteCo offers a white-glove concierge service to communicate with your venue directly and ensure they have everything they need.

Who should purchase the wedding insurance—the couple or their parents?

This is a common question, especially when parents are footing the bill. Dustin shared that either party can purchase the insurance, and BriteCo makes it easy to reflect all parties involved.

“We often see parents buying the policy as the hosts and listing the couple as the honorees,” he explained. During BriteCo’s streamlined application process, the host can simply add the names of the couple and even the venue as additional insured.

Whether the couple or the parents are paying, what matters is that the coverage is in place and properly names all key parties involved in the event.

Connect with BriteCo

If you’re ready to learn more or want to see how much a policy would cost for your wedding, the process couldn’t be easier.

You can get a quote online in about 20 seconds. Just head to their website and check out their jewelry and wedding insurance options. You’ll answer a few simple questions, see your pricing, and if you’re ready, you can purchase your policy in under two minutes.

It’s fast, straightforward, and provides lasting peace of mind.

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