30 Most Outrageous Things You Can Insure
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 30 Most Outrageous Things You Can Insure
You probably know how important insurance is for protecting your car, home and making sure you don’t get stuck with high medical bills. But did you know that certain insurance policies cover things like being kidnapped, your singing talent or even your upcoming wedding?
Check out some of the 30 seemingly odd and uncommon things you can insure.
Wedding
When you’re busy planning a wedding, the last thing you want to worry about is an accident on the big day. But you are responsible for any costs associated with accidents, unexpected damages at the wedding venue or a wedding cancellation. To avoid wasting money on a wedding that never happens, consider looking into wedding insurance options.
Fortunately, you can purchase a special event insurance policy. Such coverage gives you liability protection in case someone is injured at the wedding. You also might be able to purchase coverage that covers the cost of things such as the cake and rental cars if you have to cancel the wedding due to unfortunate circumstances.
Kidnapping
If you’re traveling abroad and worried about your safety, purchase a kidnap, ransom and extortion insurance policy to protect yourself from financial damages associated with a kidnapping or ransom situation. A kidnapping insurance policy will reimburse you for expenses associated with the incident and will pay the ransom.
Businesses and other organizations might purchase this type of insurance to cover key employees. Or, wealthy or famous people who are vulnerable to a ransom-type kidnapping might purchase this coverage for themselves and their families.
Damaged Body Part
If your income is dependent on the look or performance of a body part — such as a model’s pretty face or a quarterback’s arm — you might seek out a specialty insurance provider to write up a policy to cover that body part. In fact, quite a few celebrities have insured their body parts for millions.
You can also seek out a death and dismemberment policy. This type of policy covers specific body parts in the event of an accident, but it typically pays out only if the body part is lost, not just damaged.
Plants
Your homeowner’s insurance policy might cover damage to the landscaping around your home from a fire, vandalism or other incidents. Coverage typically is limited to a specific dollar amount, however. In addition, policies vary widely, with some insurers refusing to offer coverage for landscaping.
If you own more exotic or costly plants, consider buying additional coverage — known as an insurance rider — to protect these unique features. You can also get a rider on your insurance policy for hail and snow damage to protect plants, shrubs and trees from certain forces of nature.
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Special Talent
If you’re a singer, professional athlete or entertainer, an insurance company might cover you if you get hurt while entertaining. Companies such as Private Client Insurance offer coverage options to entertainers who want protection while living outside of the country, or who want to protect themselves in case of injury.
Multiple Births
Multiple births can drive up healthcare costs and might require additional medical visits or procedures. Although maternity is now covered under health insurance policies thanks to the Affordable Care Act, there is not necessarily an insurance policy available to cover multiple births in the U.S., according to Growing Family Benefits.
You might be able to make changes to your existing health insurance that will help you cover these costs, though. In addition, supplemental health insurance policies are available to help with the additional cost of twins and triplets.
Alien Abduction
Worried about UFOs? If you don’t want to leave Earth without some security, pick up a policy from the UFO Abduction Insurance Co. The company accepts all pre-existing conditions, and you can’t be turned down. This unique insurance company also offers $10 million in coverage in the event that aliens abduct you.
Click to see what it costs to visit these strange and scary destinations.
Halloween Haunted House
Thinking about organizing a haunted house or pumpkin patch for a crowd next Halloween? You’ll need to have adequate insurance in the event that somebody gets injured on your property.
Many insurance companies offer a special events accident and liability insurance policy that covers you if somebody ends up getting hurt and decides to sue you. You’ll need coverage for all areas that are open to guests.
Spoiled Food
Power outages aren’t fun, especially if you have new groceries in the refrigerator. Depending on how long the power outrage lasts and what caused the outrage in the first place, some insurance policies might help you reimburse you for any spoiled food. The only catch is, the outrage must be caused by something you couldn’t control such as a tree falling on your roof and cutting a major power line.
Hole-in-One Prize
If you’re organizing a golf tournament and offering a cash prize for a hole-in-one, you can get insurance for the prize package so you don’t end up losing major money if someone beats the odds. For example, American Hole ‘n One offers full coverage for multiple winners at your tournament.
Key Business Person’s Death
Small business owners and entrepreneurs are often dependent on one key person to keep the business running. If that person dies, it can wreak havoc on the business, costing it clients and leading to other financial woes.
Key person insurance provides a death benefit to the business so that they can recover from the loss. For example, the funds can be used to find a replacement for the employee in question.
Computer
A homeowners insurance or renters insurance policy typically covers the cost of replacing a stolen computer or a computer that was damaged in a fire or other covered disaster. But what happens if the computer simply malfunctions?
Extended warranty coverage can protect your investment beyond the policy provided by the manufacturer. Companies like SquareTrade offer this coverage.
Mustache
If you’re serious about your facial hair, you can pay a pretty penny to have it insured. Australian cricket player Merv Hughes reportedly insured his mustache for approximately $370,000. According to Time, Hughes’ mustache was one of his signature attributes.
Terminal Illness
When you’re in the process of shopping for life insurance, ask about insurance riders that can provide additional coverage in the event you become terminally ill. A guaranteed insurability rider is an add-on for life insurance that allows you to buy more coverage so you can protect your family’s financial status.
Human Voice
If you make a living as a singer or entertainer, make sure your vocal cords are well-protected. You can sometimes purchase a form of disability insurance tailored for singers that replaces your income if you end up:
Losing your voice
Straining or injuring your vocal cords
Developing vocal cysts
Developing a mucosal disorder that prevents you from singing
This coverage allows you to bring in a paycheck until your voice and vocal health are restored.
Photography Gear
If you’re a professional photographer, you’ve probably spent a significant amount of money on photography gear. If you own your own business, you also have a liability risk.
Photography insurance provides general liability coverage, so you don’t have to worry about lawsuits if somebody is injured during a photo shoot. The insurance might also reimburse damage to or theft of cameras, lenses and lighting equipment depending on your unique policy.
Fantasy Football
Many people who play fantasy sports bet big money, and an injury to a star player can put that cash in jeopardy. Rotosurance offers fantasy sports insurance for fans who want to protect their bets. If a key player is injured, you will be eligible to receive a payout to cover your entry fee and other expenses.
Car Stereo System
When you’ve invested a significant sum into your car’s sound system, you need extra protection in the event that the stereo or speakers are stolen or damaged.
Car insurance providers such as Allstate offer sound-system coverage. These plans cover the cost of replacing stolen or damaged equipment, including the speakers and speaker components.
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Home Theater System
If you’ve spent time and money to build out your home theater system, make sure to protect that pricey equipment in the event of theft or accident. Your renters insurance policy or homeowners insurance policy might have a coverage limit, which means more expensive electronics might not be covered. Check with your insurance provider to see if you can buy a policy that covers the full value of your home theater system.
Your Identity
Identity theft is a serious problem. Someone who steals your identity can use your personal information to steal money from your bank account, use your credit cards without authorization or obtain a loan in your name.
You can purchase identity theft insurance so you will be reimbursed for the stolen funds. Some insurers sell it as part of homeowners insurance, whereas others offer it as a standalone policy.
Cruise Vacation During Hurricane Season
Whether you’re heading off to the Bahamas or the Caribbean on a great cruise package deal, there’s a risk that a tropical storm or hurricane could cancel or delay your trip. Cruise travel insurance can reimburse your trip costs if this unfortunate turn of events occurs.
Food Poisoning
If you’re hosting a dinner, barbecue or other events where you cook, food poisoning becomes a risk. Most homeowners insurance policies provide up to $1,000 per guest to cover medical expenses, according to Bancorp Insurance. Check your home insurance policy to see if you have this type of coverage, or if you need to buy extra coverage for this benefit.
Bar and Bat Mitzvahs
Bar and bat mitzvahs can be costly affairs, and the price becomes disastrously high if someone injures himself at the gathering. So, you need liability special event insurance coverage at the venue where you are hosting the event.
You might also need liquor liability insurance if you’re serving alcohol and there is an alcohol-related injury. You can buy bar mitzvah insurance from companies such as Wedding Insurance Group.
Birthday Party
If you’re hosting a birthday party at a venue outside your home and are planning to serve alcohol, you’ll probably need special event insurance to cover any property damage, bodily injuries or liquor-related accidents during party time. These insurance policies are designed to protect you against lawsuits that guests might initiate if they are injured or hurt during your event.
You can also minimize your financial loss if your event gets canceled because of bad weather or other incidents.
Patio and Patio Furniture
In most cases, the dwelling insurance part of your homeowner’s policy covers the repair and rebuilding of the structure of your home. If your patio is not attached to the property, however, it doesn’t qualify as part of the dwelling — so you might need to purchase what is known as “other structures protection.”
Also, keep in mind that your homeowner’s policy might not cover items outside the home. You might be able to purchase a rider to provide this protection.
Wars and Terrorism
If you’re concerned about terrorism and political violence, consider buying war and terrorism insurance from Lockton. Among other things, coverage reimburses you for costs associated with sabotage, terrorist attacks, riots and terrorism-related event cancellations.
Lost Car Keys
Traditional car insurance policies typically don’t cover the cost of replacing lost car keys, but a comprehensive plan might. Still, you would need to pay your deductible if you filed a claim.
If you have the deductible covered already, you can go ahead and get reimbursed for the lost car keys — a valuable benefit if you have laser-cut keys with built-in transponders that can cost around $200 or more for replacement.
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Yoga Teacher Mishap
If you plan on leading a yoga class any time soon, you’ll need liability insurance to cover the cost of any incidents or accidents that occur during your class. Depending on the insurance provider, Yoga instructor liability insurance offers general and professional liability coverage, as well as sexual abuse and products liability. This insurance also covers medical payments and damage to premises that you rent.
Personal Trainer Mishap
When you’re helping people get in shape, you need insurance to protect your career. Personal trainers can buy professional liability insurance to cover any damages to the premises, medical payments, product liability and sexual abuse liability. You might not be protected under your gym’s or studio’s insurance policy, so it pays to get this type of insurance.
Accidental Death
What would happen if somebody in your family died in an accident? Accidental death insurance can protect your family’s financial well-being in the event of a serious car, air travel or other accident that leads to the loss of a loved one.
For example, a Farmers Insurance accidental death insurance policy provides $50,000 to $200,000 in accidental death insurance protection. You can use this money to pay for lost wages, medical costs and other expenses related to the loss.
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Taylor Bell contributed to the reporting for this article.
