HARTFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–For the third consecutive year, vendor and venue problems remain the most frequent causes of wedding day mishaps for couples, according to an analysis of 2010 wedding insurance claims by Travelers (NYSE: TRV). A total of 47 percent of all wedding claims by Travelers customers were the result of problems associated with vendors and venues, the analysis reveals. At the same time, new enhancements to the Travelers Wedding Protector Plan^®, like coverage for rehearsals, will provide more protection to help couples avoid the added costs of unexpected wedding glitches.

“Choosing the right insurance for your wedding will help to protect families against unnecessary financial woes caused by the innumerable things than can go awry during the main event.”

“Given that the majority of wedding claims continue to be a result of vendor and venue issues, couples should seriously consider the risks associated with planning a wedding and protect their investment and budget accordingly,” said Chantal Cyr, Vice President for Travelers Wedding Insurance. “Protecting the wedding day budget from some common problems gives couples peace of mind on an investment that, on average, costs them $24,000.”*

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. Weather-related problems causing venues to close accounted for 13 percent of wedding insurance claims; issues with wedding attire, such as alteration problems, generated 14 percent of claims; and other problems, such as lost table linens, sickness, untimely death and travel delays accounted for an additional 26 percent of the claims.

The amount couples spent on weddings in the U.S. increased by 23 percent in 2010 according to The Wedding Report, a research company tracking the wedding industry.

As couples are spending more on their wedding, Travelers is making improvements to the no-deductible Wedding Protector Plan. Wedding insurance from Travelers now includes coverage for rehearsal events that take place within 48 hours of the wedding and perishable materials for as little as $160. The Wedding Protector Plan also covers items such as lost deposits, unavoidable cancellation due to weather or military leave, lost or damaged photographs, damaged gifts, host liability and more.

“With the average cost of weddings in the U.S. on the rise, couples will likely be investing more of their savings to make their day as special as possible,” added Shane McMurray, CEO and founder of The Wedding Report. “Choosing the right insurance for your wedding will help to protect families against unnecessary financial woes caused by the innumerable things than can go awry during the main event.”

By visiting protectmywedding.com, brides- and grooms-to-be can get a quick understanding of thecoverage 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, visitwww.protectmywedding.com.