Loch Ness Monster insurance

[Hum]

The legendary Loch Ness Monster might have turned 80 this week, but one overly cautious cruise company isn?t convinced that she?s any less of a threat. While ?Nessie? hasn?t reportedly harmed a soul?or ship?to date (or actually been proved to exist, for that matter), Scottish cruise line Jacobite Cruises isn?t taking any chances.

Should the octogenarian lake-lurker turn up crotchety while any of their fleet is in operation, it?ll be smooth financial sailing for them all the same, thanks to their recently purchased $1.5 million insurance policy against any potential damages incurred by Scotland?s storied monster.

Jacobite owner Freda Newton explained to The Scottish Sun, ?I don?t know what the odds of this actually happening might be, but this is Loch Ness and how silly would we look if it did and we weren?t covered for it??

No, there?s nothing silly about this cruise line, which operates several sightseeing cruises in the Scottish Highlands region, including trips on Loch Ness. Just look at the free publicity storm they?re brewing on the heels of the 80th anniversary of the first sighting of the mythical lake creature.

Director of Inverness-based insurer Towergate Moray Firth, which issued the policy, admitted to the paper that ?This is probably the most unusual insurance request we have ever had, but we were delighted to provide cover to Jacobite Cruises.?

If you think monster insurance is strange, here are five more wacky insurance policies to safeguard your next trip against just about any (and we mean, any) risk:

In 2006, more than 100 triathletes required to swim in Loch Ness were insured for more than $1 million each against Loch Ness Monster bites. (source: The Guardian)

Love travel, but not of the intergalactic variety? No problem: The folks at Goodfellow Rebecca Ingram Pearson have got you covered in the case of alien abduction?good luck getting proof for the claim. (source: MSN Money)

England?s Royal Falcon Hotel took out a policy of more than $1.5 million in 2002, in the case that their resident poltergeist (or other paranormal activity) should cause injury or death to its staff or customers. (source: BBC News)

Looking to travel to Transylvania, but can?t bear the thought of being bogged down with blood-sucking medical bills for vampire bites? Be prepared with vampire insurance, on offer from Lloyd?s of London. (source Bankrate.com)

The National Sealife Centre in Birmingham, England, insured its visitors for some $1.5 million in the event that their sometimes crabby Japanese Giant Crab should cause death or permanent disability. (source: The Telegraph)

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[Growled Member]

I guess you can never be too careful.

[compl3x]

Publicity stunt, anyone?

[FloatingFatMan]

A fool and their money are soon parted. I bet the insurance company laughed themselves silly over this.. Whilst taking their money. :p

[Crisp]

This reminds me, my flying saucer insurance is due.

[n_K]

Old. A family member of mine worked in insurance many many years ago when a brewary ran a competition for anyone that could prove the loch ness monster exists and they got insurance on it (which the bank gave an instant quote of ?15K, which was ?15K of pure profit they'd never have to pay out), and it promoted the brewary.

It's all down to advertising/publicity stunts and in this case it's already been done.

[Growled Member]

This reminds me, my flying saucer insurance is due.

What insurance company do you have for that? :p