Alien Abduction Home Insurance
Almost half of Americans believe that intelligent extraterrestrial life exists. With this in mind, it might be surprising to learn that many home insurance policies do not cover alien invasions.
There is, however, a standalone policy option available that covers property damage caused by aliens. The company selling this coverage, known as UFO Abduction Insurance, is based in Florida and has paid out two claims.
Coverage
The world of insurance is a strange one, and alien abduction coverage is no exception. Although the existence of this policy is likely a joke, it illustrates how insurers can tap into popular culture to create unique and attention-grabbing products.
It may seem like a good idea to protect yourself against the possibility of an alien abduction, but the reality is that this type of event is unlikely to occur. In fact, alien abductions are probably more like religious experiences in that most people who experience them report positive outcomes.
In addition to alien abduction insurance, the Saint Lawrence Agency also sells other policies such as reincarnation and asteroid coverage. While the company’s reincarnation and asteroid insurance policies are not meant to be taken seriously, its alien abduction policy is. This policy was created by a Florida insurance agent in 1987 and covers the insured in the event of a UFO encounter, providing the claimant can provide proof of an abduction by a non-human life form.
Expenses
You might have your home insured with flood insurance or auto insurance, but what if you’re worried about being abducted by aliens? Apparently, there’s insurance for that. Mike St. Lawrence of the Saint Lawrence Agency in Altamonte Springs, Fla., sells a $10 million policy for people who want to protect themselves from extraterrestrials. The policy provides medical coverage with outpatient psychiatric care and also offers sarcasm coverage.
While many consider the policy to be a joke, St. Lawrence says he actually has paid on two claims. The first was a New York man who claimed to have an alien implant that an MIT professor said was made of materials not from this world.
Kodama says he hasn’t heard of any other insurers offering alien abduction insurance, but it might not be out of the question for some of the more risk-friendly members of his association. He adds, however, that it would be important to understand whether the aliens who discharge electrical, magnetic and electromagnetic energy are natural or artificial.
Exceptions
There are a few exceptions to the alien abduction insurance policy. First, the policy excludes property damage resulting from any contact with a spacecraft or UFO. The policy also excludes coverage if the insured’s residence is destroyed by government agents to prevent an alien invasion. There is an exception to the expected or intended injury exclusion for bodily injury caused by the use of force against an alien. Also, the alien abduction insurance policy excludes property damage resulting from a telepathic communication.
Despite the few exceptions, the alien abduction insurance policy is quite comprehensive. It is available to any earthling who is willing to pay the premium. The company that offers this niche insurance says it has paid out a few claims so far, but the payouts aren’t large; claimants receive $10 million in installments of $1 each over 10 million years. If you’re interested in purchasing this insurance, the company offers a waiting list to secure coverage in the future.
Claims
No one knows if aliens exist, but many people are willing to purchase insurance in case they do visit Earth and cause damage or destruction. Similar to how people purchase flood insurance when their home policy excludes such damage, standalone alien abduction or UFO insurance is available for those who are interested.
The Saint Lawrence Agency in Florida, for example, offers policies that promise to pay if you are abducted by aliens. Its alien abduction insurance offers a variety of absurd benefits, such as psychiatric care and “sarcasm coverage” — for an extra $5 you can also get a paper certificate to show your friends. The company has reportedly paid out two claims since launching the policy in 1987.
However, whether your alien abduction insurance will actually pay out depends on your specific policy. Most standard home insurance policies are named perils, meaning they only cover damage caused by causes listed in the contract. It’s unlikely that alien invasion will be included on the list, so alien abduction insurance may not provide the coverage you need.