With the average cost of a wedding now running at more than $20,000, more and more people are seeking to insure against cancellation or expensive mishaps on the big day.

A subsidiary of the world’s second-biggest insurance broker Aon Corp., Affinity Insurance Services, Inc., is looking to benefit from the growth in that demand after acquiring WedSafe, Inc., the company announced last Friday.

WedSafe is a leading provider of wedding and private event insurance offering liability and property damage and event cancellation products direct to consumers.

Affinity’s president and chief operating officer Bill Vit said: “Everyone wants their special day to be perfect, but problems can occur, and wedding insurance offers an affordable solution.

“If severe weather makes it impossible to hold the ceremony, you’re covered. If the groom’s father has emergency surgery and can’t travel, insurance gives you the freedom to postpone your wedding till he’s healthy.”

In addition, wedding and reception venues often require the bridal couple to purchase event liability insurance.

“Venues want protection in case one of your guests breaks an antique vase or drops a lit cigarette on an expensive carpet,” Mr. Vit added. “Plus, if a guest falls on the dance floor and breaks her wrist, both the venue and the bridal couple could be held liable for the injury.”

Affinity Insurance Services is a full-service broker specialising in the administration of insurance programmes for customer groups. “This acquisition is a new market segment that is strategically aligned with Affinity’s core capabilities,” Mr. Vit said.

Cancellation packages — including coverage for wedding essentials like photos, gifts, attire, jewelry and deposits — begin at $185. Liability insurance can be purchased jointly or separately for a $195 premium.

In 2005, the Private Event Insurance programme was added to the product line to offer cancellation and liability coverage for other types of celebrations, such as anniversaries, graduations, and bridal and baby showers.