The number of businesses filing for bankruptcy was up 47 percent in February over the previous year. While better known company filings such as Ritz Camera make the headlines, many smaller, independent businesses are also struggling.

With the number of commercial bankruptcies on the rise, some brides and grooms are getting burned by bankrupt vendors. Couples might want to consider wedding insurance, and Better Business Bureau is offering advice on purchasing coverage.

According to Travelers Insurance, more than 40 percent of all the company's wedding insurance claims filed during the past two years involved problems with vendors and venues. Considering that weddings cost an average of more than $28,000, couples have a significant amount of money on the line.

To illustrate the seriousness of the situation, last summer, the BBB serving Charlotte, N.C., received a flood of complaints from brides about a bridal shop, La Bella Sposa, which recently filed bankruptcy.

According to complaints filed by brides, the shop took their money and ordered the dresses, but did not pay the designers, so the dresses never arrived. La Bella Sposa was allegedly taking orders for dresses, but passed off the floor samples as new dresses. One bride paid the shop more than $10,000 for a gown and 13 bridesmaid dresses, but the shop closed two weeks before her wedding. Another learned four days before her wedding that, while she thought her dress was undergoing alterations, the shop had allegedly sold the dress to another bride.

Wedding insurance can provide coverage for many mishaps including vendor no-shows, foul weather, military deployment and health issues affecting key participants. Most insurance won't cover cold feet, however.

- Always research insurance companies first by reviewing free BBB Reliability Reports online at www.bbb.org.

- Shop for wedding insurance before paying deposits on any wedding services to make sure all expenses are covered.

- Comparison shop and pay close attention to the fine print. According to the Insurance Information Institute, insurance will cost between $125 to $400 depending on the amount of coverage. There are limits on claims and deductibles.

- Avoid purchasing overlapping coverage. Some vendors might already be insured, or coverage might be provided by a credit card company.

- Keep good records and all receipts in order to justify any reimbursements.

Kelvin Collins is the President/CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Central Georgia & The CSRA Inc. Refer questions or complaints directly to the BBB at (800) 763-4222, www.bbb.org or by e-mail to info@centralgeorgia.bbb.org or info@csra.bbb.org.