By Jenny Callison
Enquirer contributor

Is there a wedding in your future? The January bridal fairs often kick off the serious planning process for many Tristate couples. But there's one increasingly popular product that won't be on display in any booth: wedding insurance.

The concept for insuring a wedding against mishap got its start in England more than a decade ago and migrated to the United States. Two companies, both based in California, currently offer it.

Why wedding insurance?

WHAT TO KNOW

• Wedding insurance can be purchased as much as 24 months before the event, but usually not within two weeks of it. And the policy won't pay out if the company can prove that a problem predated the policy. • WedSafe Wedding Insurance and Weddingsurance tailor their coverage to an individual's needs. WedSafe rates start at $155 for $7,000 worth of coverage and rise to $385 for $50,000 worth of coverage. Higher levels can be negotiated. • Weddingsurance offers an online self-rating worksheet that allows a person to choose a level and scope of coverage, and comes up with the premium cost. • Interested individuals should browse the two Web sites for types and terms of coverage. For instance, wedding rings may be replaced if the best man drops them down a storm drain, but the engagement ring may be a different matter. • Liability and property damage insurance is sold separately. WedSafe currently charges $185, Weddingsurance $195. • WedSafe's entire process is online, as is its claims department. The product is brokered by Robertson Taylor (North America) Inc. Information: www.wedsafe.com or toll-free at (877) 723-3933. • Weddingsurance is a product of Fireman's Fund and can be obtained through any licensed insurance agent or directly from the company at (800) 364-2433 or rvnuccio.com. • What about a wedding that's called off due to change of heart? That falls outside the policies of both companies.

"If you bought a $30,000 BMW, you would never think of driving it down the street without insurance," explained Roger Sandau, who developed WedSafe Wedding Insurance in Beverly Hills with his wife, Karen. "You insure your car, your home, your life. Why not your wedding?"

Another perspective is offered by Robert Nuccio, administrator of Fireman's Fund's Weddingsurance in Fawnskin.

"The average wedding now costs about $20,000, and a lot of people can't afford to do the same one twice."

Mr. Nuccio has underwritten events that cost a few thousand dollars to one involving international travel that bore a price tag of $2.5 million. In each case, the folks footing the bill asked themselves, "Can we afford loss or other mishap?"

Weddingsurance and WedSafe policies provide coverage at different levels, depending on the customer's needs:

When the young nephew of one bride decided to brighten up those boring yards of white peau de soie by finger-painting on the wedding gown, Weddingsurance paid to replace it.

A WedSafe policyholder was reimbursed $1,500, minus the $25 deductible, to reprint wedding invitations when the kitchen at her reception location burned a month before the event.

Two newlyweds were able to replace the $250 Waterford crystal vase they broke in moving because their WedSafe policy covered damage to gifts.

Sometimes last-minute occurrences require postponement or cancellation of a wedding. Sudden illness or death of a principal, freak weather, or even terrorist threats can force a couple to delay their plans.

"We had 500 to 600 weddings on line the weekend after Sept. 11," Mr. Nuccio said. "When the FAA shut down all the airports, people couldn't travel and had to cancel. But the florist has already ordered the flowers, the caterer has stocked the food, and the facility has been rented. You can't get your money back from them. We give people their money back so they can start over."

WedSafe provides for such contingencies as suppliers who disappear, along with customers' deposits. If traumatic circumstances force postponement or cancellation of the ceremony, the policy may pay for professional counseling. And WedSafe will reimburse its policyholder if the bride or groom is deployed by the armed services and leave is canceled.

"We've seen a huge surge in sales recently, due to the potential war against Iraq," Mr. Sandau said.

Madeira wedding consultant Linda Stallings said she tells all her clients about the policies offered by both companies, and advises it in certain circumstances.

"If you're going to spend more than $15,000 or $20,000, or if you're having an outdoor wedding or a destination wedding, I recommend it," Ms. Stallings, the owner of Aunt Linda's Weddings and Events, said. "I've had one or two brides make claims, and it does work."

Both companies also offer liability and property damage insurance for a one-time fee of less than $200. Increasingly, they say, facilities are requiring renters to furnish insurance that names the facility as an additional insured.

"It covers the couple if there's damage to the facility, an alcohol-related accident, or injury to a guest or staff member," Mr. Sandau said.

"When you rent a facility, you are asked to sign a contract," Mr. Nuccio said.

"It is so important that you read that contract and take care of any insurance requirements right away. Otherwise you may get a call from the venue just days before the wedding, asking for proof of insurance, and you're in a bind."

E-mail: jcallison@cinci.rr.com.