Vendor and venue problems top all claims

HARTFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar. 30, 2012-- Travelers recently analyzed its wedding insurance claims from 2011 and found that vendor and venue problems are the most frequent causes of wedding day mishaps for its customers. A total of 31 percent of all wedding claims by Travelers customers were the result of problems associated with vendors and venues, the analysis reveals.

By conducting this analysis, Travelers is helping couples understand common wedding day problems so that they may take steps to minimize the typical risks that could ruin their special day.

“Given that the leading causes of wedding claims continue to be a result of vendor and venue issues, couples should seriously consider the financial risks associated with planning a wedding and protect their investment and budget accordingly,” said Chantal Cyr, Vice President for Travelers Wedding Insurance.

The most common vendor- and venue-related problems include the facility or vendor going out of business, flowers and photos not being delivered and DJs not showing up. Sickness, injury and mishaps accounted for 19 percent of the wedding insurance claims and catastrophic weather-related problems accounted for 10 percent. Vandalism and theft represented 13 percent of claims, a new category revealed in the 2011 analysis. Other problems, such as military duty/deployment, unavoidable cancellation of weddings and issues with attire accounted for an additional 17 percent of the claims.

Although the amount that couples spent on weddings in the U.S. decreased from $26,542 to $25,631 in 2011 according to The Wedding Report, a research company tracking the wedding industry, the cost is still a significant investment that should be protected.

“The average price tag of a wedding decreased last year by 3.4 percent, yet couples actually spent nearly 21 percent more on the reception location,” said Shane McMurray, CEO and founder of The Wedding Report. “Wedding insurance has become even more essential for any family looking to protect itself against vendor and venue mishaps – close to home or far away – from lost deposits to missing flowers.”

The Wedding Protector Plan from Travelers includes coverage for rehearsal events that take place within 48 hours of the wedding for as little as $160. It also covers items such as lost deposits, perishable materials, unavoidable cancellation due to weather or military leave, lost or damaged photographs, damaged gifts, host liability and more.

By visiting protectmywedding.com, brides- and grooms-to-be can get a quick understanding of the coverage and limits they need to protect their wedding budget. To learn more about wedding insurance, including the costs and buying online or through an independent agent, visit www.protectmywedding.com.

About Travelers
The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TRV) is a leading property casualty insurer selling primarily through independent agents and brokers. The company’s diverse business lines offer its global customers a wide range of coverage in the auto, home and business settings. A component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Travelers has more than 30,000 employees and generated revenues of approximately $25 billion in 2011. For more information, visit www.travelers.com.

*The Wedding Report, 1/20/2012

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Source: The Travelers Companies, Inc.

The Travelers Companies, Inc.
Media Contact:
Gary Griffin, 860-954-1371