A complete response to the “what ifs” around us! The 12 most popular “unique insurance policies

There are so many sudden natural and man-made disasters that can happen around you.

Water-related disasters increasing due to climate change New risks of man-made disasters

In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of natural disasters, such as earthquakes and torrential rains, that can cause tremendous damage. For example, the number of cities, towns and villages to which the Disaster Relief Law was applied was 453 in 2007. This is even more than the record high of 309 in FY2006.

The most common type of disaster is water damage, such as typhoons and torrential rains. The number of floods is on the rise, partly due to the effects of global warming. For example, the torrential rains that hit western Japan in July 2006 killed more than 200 people in Okayama, Hiroshima, and Ehime prefectures, and destroyed about 7,000 houses. Typhoons No. 15 and No. 19 of 2007 both hit the Kanto region, causing extensive damage, especially in the Boso Peninsula. We often hear victims say, “This has never happened before,” and it is characteristic that water-related disasters are increasing in unexpected places, even if they are not near the sea or rivers.

Earthquakes, on the other hand, are not as common as water-related disasters, but once they occur, they can cause tremendous damage over a wide area. Even after the Great East Japan Earthquake, earthquakes with a maximum seismic intensity of 7 have occurred, such as the Kumamoto Earthquake in 2004 and the East Japan Earthquake in 2006, both of which caused significant damage. Many of us may have been reminded of this threat for the first time in a long time.

In addition to natural disasters, we have recently seen an increase in the number of cases of new types of “man-made disasters,” such as furtive driving and problems on social networking sites. There is always a possibility that you will be the victim of an unexpected disaster or become the “perpetrator”. It is important to consider purchasing insurance to protect yourself in such cases.

Preparing for Floods and Earthquakes: Increasing Risks in an Era of Climate Change

Homeowner or renter, choose the right product for you

Fire insurance covers not only damage caused by fire, but also damage caused by water, wind, and other natural disasters. However, not all fire insurance policies include coverage for water damage, so those who currently have fire insurance or are planning to purchase fire insurance need to check the scope of coverage.

If the disaster strikes without water damage coverage and with a mortgage on the house, you could end up with a double loan: the lost house and the mortgage on the new house. It is important to keep in mind that water-related disasters have been on the rise in recent years, and it is important to check the risk of disasters in the area around your home using hazard maps and other means to ensure that you have the necessary coverage.

On the other hand, fire insurance will not cover damage caused by earthquakes or tsunamis. To prepare for earthquakes, it is necessary to purchase earthquake insurance. It should also be noted that earthquake insurance can only be purchased in combination with fire insurance.

Measures to prevent collisions with drivers and cyclists

Prepare for the “risk of being a perpetrator” as well.

Road rage driving has become a problem in recent years. In this situation, the “driving recorder rider” is attracting attention as a special clause in automobile insurance. The big difference between this and simply installing a commercially available drive recorder on your own is that you will receive prompt support in the event you are hit by a hit-and-run driver or are involved in an accident. In some cases, they can even help you contact the police and submit the video evidence.

Recently, more and more municipalities are making it compulsory for bicycles to have liability insurance in response to the increasing number of bicycle accidents. There are three main types of insurance to compensate for damages caused by bicycle accidents: (1) bicycle insurance, (2) personal liability rider attached to automobile insurance or fire insurance, and (3) “TS Mark” attached to bicycle inspection and maintenance. If you already have automobile insurance or fire insurance, you may want to consider adding the personal liability rider.

There are others. Unique Insurance: Small Risks in Everyday Life That Matter

Affordable premiums OK Reduce risks around you

Small-amount short-term insurance” that meets niche coverage needs has recently become popular. General insurance covers a wide range of risks such as hospitalization, surgery, and death in a single policy, and the premiums are high. Small-amount short-term insurance, on the other hand, covers only one type of insurance, and covers risks with pinpoint accuracy. The merit of this type of insurance is that the period of coverage is short, such as one year or even one day, and the premiums are low.

There are many types of insurance policies that cover a narrow range of risks, from the standard ones such as cancer insurance and pet insurance to fertility treatment insurance, funeral insurance, dementia insurance, and diabetes insurance. A unique feature of this insurance is that it compensates for legal fees and expenses incurred by lawyers and other professionals due to some kind of trouble. There is also coverage with specialized support for false accusations of molestation, which can ruin your life if you get involved. There is always insurance to meet your needs, including compensation for cell phone repair costs, outdoor and mountain mishaps, internet troubles, trip cancellation compensation, and drone accidents.

From the November 5, 2021 issue of FRIDAY