Destination Wedding Insurance: What You Actually Need for a Bali Wedding

Destination Wedding Insurance: What You Actually Need for a Bali Wedding

You’ve booked your Bali venue, found your dream dress, and convinced everyone it’s a “holiday with a wedding attached.” Then someone casually asks, “What happens if your flight is cancelled?” or worse, “You heard about that planner who cancelled all those weddings and didn't give back the money?”

Cue the awkward silence.

Enter wedding insurance — the unglamorous but quietly heroic safety net for couples planning a destination wedding.

As a planner who’s seen everything, we can say with confidence: insurance is boring, but the sanity it brings is worth every cent. Let’s break down what it actually covers, what to look for, and which companies around the world offer protection for weddings in places like Bali.

Why Destination Weddings in Bali Need a Little Backup

A wedding abroad adds a few extra layers of magic… and potential mayhem. There’s travel, currency, language, local laws, and the weather that doesn’t care if you're having an amazing outdoor wedding that you spend $40,000 on.

A Bali event can involve deposits with multiple vendors in another currency, all of which are non-refundable (depending if you're DIYing or through a planner) . Flights might be grounded. Guests might get sick. Venues might double-book (yes, it happens). Or the worst of the worst, you got scammed. Insurance helps you get that money back — or at least some of it — when things go sideways.

What Overseas Wedding Insurance Usually Covers

Policies vary, but here’s what most destination wedding insurance tends to include:

• Cancellation or postponement: If illness, extreme weather, or travel bans force you to reschedule, you can claim back some of the costs.

• Supplier failure: When your florist, photographer, or venue vanishes after taking your deposit.

• Loss or damage: Covers things like your dress, rings, or important items in transit.

• Public liability: If a guest accidentally damages property or someone gets hurt (some venues require this).

• Documents and travel issues: Lost passports or other chaos right before you fly out.

But be warned — insurance doesn’t cover everything. Honeymoon costs? No. Guest flights? Usually not. Changing your mind about the colour palette? Definitely not.

The Four Reliable Providers for Destination Weddings

1. Dreamsaver (UK)
Dreamsaver has long been the go-to for UK couples marrying abroad. Their overseas wedding cover comes standard, with up to £100,000 in cancellation cover and solid public liability protection. They even cover lost wedding attire — so if your gown gets stuck in Heathrow, you’re not completely doomed. Just double-check exclusions for certain regions (like the US and Canada) and confirm Indonesia is on their list of covered destinations.
Website: weddinginsurance.co.uk

2. Wedding Insurance Australia (Australia)
A great option for Aussie couples jetting off to Bali. They’re underwritten by Lloyd’s of London, which means the policy has real backing. Cover includes cancellation, rescheduling, supplier failure, and accidental damage to key wedding items. Always confirm the overseas clause — Bali is generally included, but it never hurts to read the fine print before you assume paradise is insured.
Website: weddinginsurance.com.au

3. EventCover (New Zealand)
EventCover is one of the few NZ insurers that recognises weddings as full-scale events — not just a “nice day out.” They offer policies for destination weddings, covering cancellation, weather disruptions, and supplier no-shows. Their flexibility for international events makes them ideal for Kiwis marrying abroad.
Website: eventcover.co.nz

4. WedCov (United States)
For US couples heading to Bali, WedCov offers a “foreign event” option. It’s designed for American residents having weddings outside the US, covering cancellation, damage, and limited liability. The fine print is worth reading — many US insurers restrict coverage to certain countries, but WedCov’s global scope usually extends to Southeast Asia.
Website: wedcov.com

How to Choose the Right Policy for a Bali Wedding

Here’s your simple pre-flight checklist before you buy:

• Check that “overseas weddings” or “destination weddings” are explicitly covered. Don’t assume.

• Confirm Indonesia/Bali is listed or not excluded. You’d be amazed how many policies forget the tropics.

• Look for early activation. The policy should start as soon as you pay a deposit — not the week before you fly.

• Check the excess and the limits. A $50 policy won’t refund a $25,000 wedding.

• Make sure “acts of nature” (like storms or volcanic ash) are covered. You’re in the Ring of Fire — enough said.

FAQs

1. Does wedding insurance cover travel costs for destination weddings?
Usually not. You’ll need separate travel insurance for flights and accommodation.

2. Can I get insurance for a Bali wedding if I’m from the US, UK, or NZ?
Yes — just pick a provider based in your home country that explicitly includes overseas weddings.

3. What happens if the venue in Bali cancels at the last minute?
If you have cancellation or supplier-failure cover, you can usually claim for lost deposits and rebooking costs.

4. Is wedding insurance mandatory for destination weddings?
No, but some venues require liability cover. And frankly, it’s one of those rare things that feels like a waste — right up until it isn’t.

5. Does wedding insurance cover bad weather in Bali?
Sometimes. Check for “adverse weather” clauses and make sure tropical storms aren’t excluded.

6. Is Bali Wedding Planner affiliated with any of these companies?
Nope. Just wanting to give brides and grooms options.