INSURABLE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 23, 28 January 1939, Page 11

INSURABLE.

AGAINST WET DAY. OR RISK OF TWINS. roucill RARELY TRIED. Although innurance nowadays enters Into practically every activity of life, and it ia taken for granted that the accidents of fire, collision, theft, etc., •re thus provided against in the great majority of cases, there are phases of insurance which are still in tlicir infancy.

Not so many years ago sports organisations tentatively tried out an offer to insure against rain on the day of an I important fixture, and this was found to be so practical a safeguard that it has become quite a general precaution. By this means the New Zealand Cricket Council received £501) for the first match of the last notable visiting team, when there would otherwise have been a financial loss on the game.

Thus are certain aspects of insurance taken out of the freak class.

But there are still classes of insurance which are readily written by firms of standing, such as Lloyds, that are looked upon by the general public as freakish. For instance, a married couple may insure against the risk of twins. Of course, before such a policy is issued the applicants have to fill in forms giving their family history for two generations back. This may affect the amount of premium to be paid, but generally the risk is regarded as a 100 to 3 chance, and the premium runs at about £3 per £100.

Such policies have been arranged with Lloyds underwriters in Auckland, but they are rare, and in every local case so far the result has been in favour of the company. There is a point which should not be overlooked by persons who think of insuring against twins—should triplets arrive the contingency is not •overed by the insurance against twins. A policy issued by the same firm by which a newly-married man can insure •gainst disappointment over the non-

arrival of a little stranger within a specified time has not yet 'been availed of by Aucklanders, though, like the twin insurance, it is not uncommon in I the older countries.

Other insurance contingencies which are seldom, or never, taken advantage of in Auckland, but which seem to be practical precautions, are:— Accident while on holiday.

Rain which prevents you from getting away on your annual holidays after you have made arrangements to do iso.

Accountant* and solicitors against mistakes in their work which might involve them in financial loss.

Doctors against allegations by patients of unskilful treatment.