Body Part Insurance: Celebrities Insure Even Their Fake Body Parts
You've heard the rumors. You know, the ones about celebrities who insure body parts for millions of dollars. Some deny it (JLo), while others, like Girl Next Door Holly Madison, embrace the publicity it brings.
No matter how the celebrity handled the gossip, you were probably laughing and rolling your eyes. But you know you have questions.
Does body part insurance really exist? How does it work? What's the point? And is it available to the masses?
To begin, body part insurance does exist. It's been around since the 1920's when silent movie stars began insuring their defining assets. They would take out policies on their noses, eyes, legs, voices, and even waistlines.
A number of modern celebrities also have insured body parts. Rihanna, Mariah Carey and Heidi Klum have insured their legs. Dolly Parton and Holly Madison have ensured their breasts. And America Ferrera reportedly has a $10 million policy on her smile.
Ordinarily, these body parts would be covered by standard disability and accidental death and dismemberment plans. Such plans will replace income lost as a result of an accident or illness. They'll also pay out the value of a lost limb.
Body part insurance provides supplemental coverage when a standard plan isn't sufficient enough to cover a celebrity's worth. It's meant to provide extra coverage for those money-making assets, according to Slate.
Consider David Beckham. He reportedly insured his legs for over $70 million. In 2007, he signed a $250 million deal . No ordinary disability or dismemberment plan will be able to cover losses caused by a permanent leg injury.
If you have a defining body part, you could also purchase body part insurance. But keep in mind that the premiums are high - sky high.
Related Resources:
- Holly Madison insures breasts for $1 million (Reuters)
- Disability Claimants Beware: Your Insurance Company May Be Watching (FindLaw)
- Belly Dancing Ends NYC Woman's Disability Claim (Findlaw's Law & Daily Life)