Insurance You Didn't Know You Could Get
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10 Quirky Things to Insure
Worried about being abducted by aliens? What about being mutilated by an enraged lover or having your dream wedding turn into a nightmare? Fear not, there is insurance to cover these and many other risks that you might not have even considered.
Click through our gallery as freelance writer Jonathan Berr explains 10 exotic policies that actually exist -- or recently existed.
First Up: Alien Abduction Policies -
Cassandra Shie, AOL
Alien Abduction Policies
The UFO Abduction Insurance Co. offers $10 million worth of coverage to anyone who can prove that they were kidnapped by extraterrestrials. But as with any insurance policy, it pays to read the fine print. The Florida company requires that claimants get the signature of an "authorized on-board alien" for their claim to be considered, said Mike St. Lawrence, the company president, in an interview. The policies, which cost $19.95, are obviously meant to be humorous. Nonetheless, quite a few people take them seriously.
Next: John Wayne Bobbitt Policies -
'John Wayne Bobbitt' Policies
London-based insurance broker Goodfellow Rebecca Ingrams Pearson, which quit selling alien abduction policies after the Heaven's Gate mass suicide, offers coverage to men worried that they will get mutilated in the same way that gained John Wayne Bobbitt notoriety, according to Investment News. No word on whether the policy includes psychological counseling.
Next: O.J. Insurance -
Los Angeles Police Dept. / AP
O.J. Insurance
What happens to a company whose celebrity endorser is charged with murder or even dog fighting? It turns out there is insurance for just these circumstances, called moral turpitude. The policies wouldn't come into effect for just any offense. "They would have to be charged with some sort of statutory offense," said Lori Shaw of Aon Corp., in an interview. "It can't be just bad behavior." Given the number of celebrity endorsement deals that go bad under just such circumstances, these policies must be pretty popular.
· See Celeb Endorsements Gone Bad
Next: Wedding Insurance -
Getty Images
Wedding Insurance
What if a groom got chest pains or a flood prevented members of the wedding party from attending the reception? Normally, the people throwing the wedding would be out tens of thousands of dollars, but if they had thought ahead and had purchased insurance? Then they'd be covered. "Our policy really covers the unexpected," said Aon's Sharon Cohen in an interview. Weddings are so expensive these days -- on average around $30,000 according to The Knot's latest survey -- that many more families are turning to this type of coverage.
Next: Big Event 'No-Go' Insurance -
Kevin P. Casey, AP
Big Event Cancellation Insurance
When Pope Benedict XVI recently visited the U.S., organizers had to take out insurance in case his itinerary was canceled for security reasons. Likewise, both the Democrats and Republicans will need to take out coverage in case their conventions this summer are unable to happen. The same types of policies are taken out for large public events such as the Super Bowl.
Next: Executive Kidnappings -
Executive Kidnappings
For years, large corporations have taken out insurance on executives doing business in politically unstable countries. According to eGlobal Health Insurers Agency LLC, ransoms are paid most of the time and rescues are rare. "Kidnappers usually settle at between 10 to 20% of the demand, except in the old Soviet Union where the mafia is extremely reluctant to negotiate and uses excessive violence to achieve its aims," according to the company's Web site.
Next: Coupon Whoops! -
Coupon Whoops!
Companies hope that consumers take advantage of offers such as coupons for merchandise or services, at least to a point. What's a company to do when a promotion goes too well? The discounts redeemed could add up to more than their budget. Firms such as Aon offer what is known as "over-redemption" coverage against marketing campaigns that go too well, according to Aon's Shaw. "They don't have unlimited marketing budgets," she said. "It's a very unique product."
Next: Immaculate Conception -
Immaculate Conception
A British insurance company sold a policy to three women offering a payout of one million pounds if they could prove that they were impregnated by means not covered in high school biology classes. The policy was canceled after local Catholic groups objected, according to the U.K.'s Daily Record. The women apparently wanted the coverage because they were worried that they would not be able to provide for the baby.
Next: Traumatized Sports Fans -
Lynne Sladky, AP
Traumatized Sports Fans
BritishInsurance.com offered a policy that would pay fans of Scotland's soccer team who would be left traumatized if the U.K. team won the World Cup, the Record reported. A company official said the policy is no longer available which is a pity because fans of the New York Yankees might have been interested.
Next: 'Britney' Coverage -
AFP | Getty Images | M/X17online.com
'Britney' Coverage
We all get a laugh when we see celebrities attacks cars with umbrellas or shave their heads on a whim. Well, insurance companies do not find any of this bad behavior funny. They insure celebrities who are participating in films and television shows, and bad behavior makes some of them too hot to touch. Even famed director Woody Allen had to bow to the demands of insurance companies who would not let him cast Robert Downey Jr. and Winona Ryder in one of his movies.
· Read Story in Article Format
More: 10 Policies Worth the Money -
More on AOL:
10 Policies Worth the Money
Now that you've taken a look at some of the more unusual insurance policies, Jonathan Berr, takes a more serious look at which policies truly are worth the money. Click through this gallery to swee which policies he recommends -- and why.
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Recent Comments
BRiDALbabe07 11:00:28 AM Jul 22 2008
what do you consider "original sin"? the sex itself or are you saying she was sinless all her life?
toughhombre 10:16:35 AM Jul 22 2008
When is society going to get it accurate regarding the Divine mystery of the Immacualte Conception? It has NOTHING TO DO WITH IMPREGNATION ! The Divine mystery of the Immacualte Conception is the fact that Mary, the mother of Christ, was conceived without the stain of Original Sin. Please get it straight !
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