5 Unique types of insurance that actually exist

December 05, 2018

This article was written prior to 15 March 2021, before the launch of the new Financial Advice Regime, and was published for information purposes only. It is not being actively promoted by Dollar Insurance. Dollar Insurance does not provide financial advice about the suitability of their products and cannot take into account your personal situation or goals. Before you decide to take out a Dollar Insurance Policy, you should read the relevant Policy Wording document which contains the terms, conditions, and exclusions of the Policy, and seek independent financial advice, if required, to ensure the insurance policy is suitable for you.

Your home, your car, your health, your life… these are just some of the everyday things that people help protect with insurance policies. But what about things that are a bit more unusual, the events that are truly out of the ordinary? Chances are, there’s a policy for these, too!

Here’s a look at five types of unique insurance that actually exist:

1. Body-part insurance

What do Merv Hughes’ moustache, Julia Roberts’ smile and Kylie Minogue’s bum have in common? All three were covered by very special insurance policies! Insuring a celebrity’s body part is often a publicity stunt, but entertainment companies do insure their biggest money makers in case an injury puts them out of work. Sometimes this includes unique features—a singer’s vocal chords, a food critic’s taste buds or even a model’s legs.

2. “Hole-in-one” insurance

Officially known by the less catchy “prize indemnity insurance,” this type of policy is taken by event sponsors offering expensive prizes. Instead of keeping heaps of cash on hand to cover any million-dollar wins, companies get an insurance policy. If someone wins big, they’re reimbursed! The most common type of this policy covers promotional golf tournaments, explaining the “hole-in-one” nickname.

3. Bed bug insurance

Skip this entry if you don’t want to feel itchy for the next hour! Bed bug insurance can help landlords and renters get rid of these creepy crawlies. Since many renters’ and homeowners’ insurance policies don’t cover bed bugs, getting separate cover might make sense in places where they thrive. The payout could cover things like hiring an exterminator, cleaning the property, and replacing furniture and mattresses.

4. “Change of heart” insurance

Runaway brides (and grooms) take note: One American company offers wedding insurance with an option to cover getting cold feet. But, there are a couple catches to help sniff out insurance fraud. Policies must be purchased at least a year before the wedding, they’re only sold to the people paying for the event and expect a very in-depth interview if you make a claim!

5. Alien abduction insurance

Yes, you can get cover in case you’re ever abducted by little green men! These policies aren’t common, and scammers do target possible customers. However, there are legit companies who sell real alien abduction insurance—and have even paid claims! These products often cover things you’d expect, like medical bills or death. But you might find a few surprises, like paying both women and men who fall pregnant by a Martian.

Sources

Slate, Does the Explainer Have Billion-Dollar Legs? June 2006
Investopedia, Hole-In-One Insurance
Fudge Insurance, Bed Bug Insurance, March 2018
ABC News, Left at the Alter at Your Wedding? Now You Can Collect, January 2014
The Balance, Alien Abduction Insurance Information, March 2018

 

About the author: Dollar Insurance is all about making insurance as painless as possible, with easy to get funeral cover, for just $1 a day. 

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is of a general nature only and does not take into account your personal situation or goals. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs and seek independent financial advice, if required, to ensure an insurance product is suitable for you.

Any product information is correct at the time this article was published. For current product information, please visit the Dollar Insurance website.