Saturday, October 24, 2009
10 Strangest Body-Part Insurance Policies
1 Cricket player Merv Hughes insured his moustache for $ 370,000.
While playing on Australia's national cricket team from 1985 to 1994, Merv Hughes took out an estimated $370,000 policy on his trademark walrus mustache, which, combined with his 6'4" physique and outstanding playing ability, made him one of the most recognized cricketers in the world.
2 Three sisters insured their virginity for £1 million
An Essex insurance company has cancelled what may have been the most bizarre insurance policy in Britain. In the policy, three sisters in the Scottish highlands, who apparently were members of a "Christian group" of some sort, had insured their virginity for £1 million, against the event of any of them immaculately conceiving the second coming of Jesus Christ. Essex-based Britishinsurance.com confirmed it had provided the policy.
The burden of proof that it was Christ had rested with the women and any premium on the insurance was donated to charity, said Mr Burgess. The siblings had paid £100 annually since 2000. If they had secured a payout, they stood to receive £1m. The policy was apparently cancelled partly because of complaints from the Catholic Church, which doesn't look kindly on unauthorized immaculate conceptions.
3 Wine taster insured his nose for $8 million.
After years spent worrying about losing his most valuable business asset, Ilja Gort doesn't have to worry anymore, his nose is insured to the teeth. The 47-year-old Dutch wine producer has had his nose and sense of smell insured for five million Euros (£4 million) by Lloyd's of London. The insurance policy states that he may not participate in winter sports, boxing or fire breathing. He may not work as a knife-thrower's assistant; he may not become pregnant and he may not commit suicide.
4 Food critic insured his taste buds for $ 300,000
In 1993, worldwide famous food critic Egon Ronay took out a £250,000 ($353,775) insurance policy on his taste buds.
5 Ronaldo's legs fetch for $144 million
It's normal that if you posses something valuable you insure it, right? Well in some soccer news Real Madrid announced that they have insured their new star player Cristiano Ronaldo's legs, for an estimated $144 million.
6 13-year-old World Yo-Yo champion Harvey Lowe insured his hands for $ 150,000
Representing the Cheerio Yo-Yo Company of Canada, 13-year-old Harvey Lowe won the 1932 World Yo-Yo championships in London and toured Europe from 1932 to 1935. He even taught Edward VIII, the Prince of Wales, how to yo-yo. Lowe was so valuable to Cheerio that the company insured his hands for $150,000!
7 Coffee taster has a tongue insurance for $14 million
Costa Coffee's Coffee taster, Gennaro Pelliccia has a tongue insured for $14 million dollars. ellicca has tasted tens of thousands styles of coffee, and thru his tongue is able to discern the differences. “The taste buds of a Master of Coffee are as important as the vocal cords of a singer or the legs of a top model, and this is one of the biggest single insurance policies taken out for one person," said a spokesman for Lloyd's broker Glencairn Limited, which arranged the insurance cover.
8 Actress America Ferrera had her teeth insured for $10,000,000
Ugly Betty's leading lady America Ferrera has had her smile insured for $10 million by Lloyds of London insurance market. But the insurance wasn't taken out for pure vanity. The policy was taken out by Aquafresh White Trays, a teeth whitening manufacturer that is working with the actress on a charity campaign that gives jobless women free dental care.
9 Actress Bette Davis insured her waist for $28,000
In the '40s, actress Bette Davis bought a $28,000 policy buffering herself against losses due to gains - her own weight gain, that is. The insurance was issued by Lloyd's of London.
10 Keith Richards's middle finger – $1,600,000
Fearing that his foes would break his left middle finger he so often use to flip them off, the 63 year-old guitarist for the Rolling Stones and poster boy for longevity through hard living had it insured. The Star article said he “recouped after an injury”. The actor is allegedly suffering from arthritis in his index finger.