RV Nuccio & Associates and Fireman's Fund have teamed up toinclude "change of heart" clauses in its wedding insurance policiesfor the first time.

Fireman's Fund said its Weddingsurance Change of Heart coveragewill provide help in recovering expenses if the bride or groomexperiences cold feet during the planning process. Significantdeposits on event facilities, caterers, and florists have helpeddrive up the average cost of weddings to nearly $27,000, creating ademand for the coverage.

"People can purchase the policy anywhere from 2 years to one dayahead of the event and there is no difference in the cost," saidJanet Ruiz, media relations manager for Fireman's Fund. "Wedeveloped it to meet the needs of our policyholders when they arehaving a private event such as a wedding. They face cancellation,liability issues and property issues with the dress, etc."

Besides cold feet, there are many other things that can spoil awedding or special occasion, including: inclement weather,flooding, power failure, lost or damaged attire, or even no-showphotographers. The enhanced policy covers:

Loss of deposits--Refunds lost deposits if venues orprofessionals (e.g., caterer, disc jockey) fail to provideservices.

International destinations--Covers destination weddings (exceptliability) in the British Isles.

Professional counseling--Covers counseling needed for theemotional distress of a cancelled event.

Cancellation--Pays up to the limit selected for nonrefundableexpenses.

Weather--Available for policies purchased 14 days or more beforethe event.

Photography--Pays costs incurred (including travel for thewedding party) to retake photographs if the photographer fails toappear or if the negatives are lost, damaged, stolen, or notproperly developed.

Gifts, special attire, jewelry, rental property damage--Pays torepair or replace such items if they are lost, stolen, ordamaged.

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