Archive for the ‘Body parts insurance’ Category

Earthquakes not covered by basic homeowner’s insurance

When Arizonans felt the effects of the magnitude 7.2 earthquake that hit Baja California, Mexico on Easter Sunday, there were reports of swaying buildings, rattled walls, and sloshing pool waters. but no major damage.

“Historically, the Valley of the Sun has not had any measurable earthquakes since 1875,” explains Frank Capparelle, Sr., Founder, President, and CEO of AnCap Insurance.  “Flagstaff is built along some fault lines but there has not been any significant activity in the area that caused damage since 1912.”

Basic homeowners’ insurance policies do NOT cover damage from earthquakes.  Thirty-nine states have experienced earthquakes since 1900, and about 90% of Americans live in areas considered seismically active. Yet only a small percentage of people purchase earthquake insurance, which is an addendum to a homeowner’s insurance policy.

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Worried about being abducted by aliens? Or getting hit by an asteroid? Or losing your voice?

Sometimes life can be stranger than fiction, especially when it comes to insurance policies.  Among the odd policies:

$20k eyes to $1 million legs

• Mostly celebrities are inclined to insure notable body parts. Ben Turpin insured his crossed eyes in 1920. Had his eyes been uncrossed, he would have received $20,000.

• Betty Grable insured her legs for $1 million in 1940 while Dolly Parton’s famous theme-park inspiring 42” breasts are insured for $600,000.

• Rock and pop music stars Bruce Springsteen and Rod Stewart have insured their voices.

• Jimmy Durante took out an insurance policy on his nose for $50,000.

• Lloyd’s of London insured the smile of America Ferrera, star of the hit television show Ugly Betty, for $10 million.

• The London insurance firm also insured Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards’ fingers and Marlene Dietrich’s legs – and, according to one history book, actress Bette Davis once insured her waistline against expansion.

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