The insurance business can be very interesting (no, really!). Have you heard about insurance coverage for things like legs, taste buds or other body parts? They’re out there, but most of these policies are mainly for show or publicity … like insuring against vampire bites or alien abductions.

While some of these policies seem a little strange, others may actually make sense and in some instances, might even save your life.

For example, have you ever thought about getting riot insurance? What about ransom or kidnapping insurance? At first glance, these may sound crazy, but it might not seem so ridiculous if you are traveling in a foreign country that is known for violent eruptions.

Many countries are rife with political turmoil and don’t always solve their problems with peaceful demonstrations like we do in the U.S. It is not unheard of for protestors to throw homemade bombs at police or for police to open fire on citizens. The last thing you want is to end up in the middle of a riot, unable to get out of the country and have no way to pay for any damage you may have suffered. As a result, some insurance companies offer riot insurance of up to $10,000 for health issues and damage to your property. They will also front you a certain amount of money each day your flight is delayed.

For people who travel often to hostile countries, it might be beneficial to look into kidnapping and ransom insurance. This insurance might also be applicable to those living in the U.S. who feel they have a heightened chance of being kidnapped and held for ransom. See our related article about your “suability” factor. 

While these types of insurance may sound ridiculous or unnecessary to the average person, you should always look into travel/health insurance when going to another country. It’s better to be safe than sorry.