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

Fireman's Fund said its Weddingsurance Change of Heart coverage will provide help in recovering expenses if the bride or groom experiences cold feet during the planning process. Significant deposits on event facilities, caterers, and florists have helped drive up the average cost of weddings to nearly $27,000, creating a demand for the coverage.

"People can purchase the policy anywhere from 2 years to one day ahead of the event and there is no difference in the cost," said Janet Ruiz, media relations manager for Fireman's Fund. "We developed it to meet the needs of our policyholders when they are having 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 a wedding or special occasion, including: inclement weather, flooding, power failure, lost or damaged attire, or even no-show photographers. The enhanced policy covers:

Loss of deposits--Refunds lost deposits if venues or professionals (e.g., caterer, disc jockey) fail to provide services.

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

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

Cancellation--Pays up to the limit selected for nonrefundable expenses.

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

Photography--Pays costs incurred (including travel for the wedding party) to retake photographs if the photographer fails to appear or if the negatives are lost, damaged, stolen, or not properly developed.

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

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Wedding Jitters? Fireman's Fund Will Pay

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