Falling Coconuts, Tongues, and Vampires: Exploring The Strangest Things Ever Insured
While most people are familiar with insurance for common things such as unique vehicles, jewelry, and high ticket items, there is also no shortage of strange things that people take out an insurance policy for, including body parts and unusual events.
The Big Bucks! Celebrity Insurance Policies
Celebrities, entertainers and athletes are commonly insured for millions of dollars. If they were to lose what they became famous for, they would lose their ability to earn an income—a reason why they take out huge insurance policies.
Here are some of the most notable:
1. Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards’ hands are insured for $1.2 million
2. Bruce Springsteen’s voice is insured for $6 million
3. KISS singer Gene Simmons’ tongue is insured for $1 million
4. Supermodel Heidi Klum’s legs are insured for $2.2 million
5. NFL football player Troy Polamalu’s hair is insured for $1 million by Head & Shoulders
6. Ugly Betty star America Ferrera’s smile is insured for $10 million
However, David Beckham takes the cake. His legs are insured for a whopping $70 million.
Wedding Insurance
With the average cost of a wedding approaching $30, 000, wedding insurance has become popular in the United States. It has actually been available since the 1990s and protects insured parties against cancellation due to serious injury or illness, weather related issues, and even “change of heart” coverage if the bride or groom is left at the altar.
Insuring The Senses
In the food and hospitality industry, your senses play a large role for many experts, especially when it comes to wine and coffee.
According to Bankrate.com, “In 2008, Dutch winemaker Ilja Gort, owner of Chateau de la Garde in Bordeaux, France, insured his nose for $8 million through Lloyd's, which had previously insured many a winemaker's tongue. Why the nose? Gort claims his nose can distinguish millions of different scents, unlike the tongue, which has only five areas of taste.”
When it comes to coffee, “Costa Coffee chief taster Gennaro Pelliccia insured his tongue for $14 million.”
Loch Ness, Vampires, Falling Coconuts and Other Strange Insurance Policies
Here are some additional strange insurance policies:
- Companies insure the jewelry worn by celebrities on the red carpet at the Oscars
- A UK travel company has insurance against falling coconuts
- An insurance policy against finding Loch Ness Monster exists – no one has filed a claim to date
- Insurance policies exist against being abducted by aliens or being turned into a werewolf or vampire
Did you know that Lloyd’s of London even developed an insurance policy to cover the loss of chest hair?
To conclude, it’s safe to say that when it comes to insurance, when there is a will, there is a way; and getting insurance for almost anything is possible.
What is the weirdest thing you have ever heard about being insured? Do you have any family or friends who have unique insurance policies for their belongings?