Did you realize that accidental shootings--like the one by Vice President Dick Cheney of a hunting companion back in 2006, which prompted hilarious comparisons to Elmer Fudd--is actually the least of the exposures facing insurers covering the risks of the sport? That was news to me, but it made for some great reading in this week's NU cover story report by Phil Gusman.
(Check out the main story on hunting insurance by clicking here, and to read more about the insurance implications of Cheney's poor aim, click here.)
I realize my choice of art may get me in some hot water with Republican fans of the Veep, but I just couldn't help myself, not after recalling how the New York Post (no friend of Democrats) made hay with the story when it first happened by sporting a shot of Vice President Cheney's face photo-shopped onto cartoon hunter Elmer Fudd's body on its front page.
After reporting on the incident, the Post also ran a humorous sidebar, on "10 People V.P. Cheney Wished He'd Shot."
I am no fan of the Post as a paper of record, but I have to give their editors credit for making the news fun once in awhile. ("Headless Man Found In Topless Bar" remains its best headline.)
In any case, at the time, I wondered about the (what else?) insurance angle. Was there one? But I did not follow up...until now!
With NU reporting on sports and recreation coverage this week, I asked our reporter, Phil Gusman--himself a hunter--to look into the state of the insurance market for this niche, with an emphasis on the claims implications of the infamous Cheney shooting.
To my surprise, as I mentioned earlier, it turns out that shooting someone walking on two legs rather than four is a (thankfully) rare occurrence. When it does happen, there is indeed insurance coverage possible, which we document in the main story's sidebar.
I never cease to be amazed how insurance permeates every sector of our lives. Hunting is no exception. Whether or not you are a hunter yourself, I think you'll find the story interesting.
Feel free to file any comments--or, better yet, personal tales of great hunting mishaps!
Comments (1)
I believe Cheney's homeowners policy and personal umbrella would have provided liability coverage, assuming it was not an intentional act--and courts tend to take a wide view of the meaning of "intentional."
Jimmy Carter had his moment of shame, which he probably did not deserve, when he had his unfortnate encounter with the "Killer Rabbit," which received front page coverage by the so-called paper of record as well as the Washington Post. They ran with it for weeks, as I recall.
Posted by Charlie | July 1, 2008 11:35 AM
Posted on July 1, 2008 11:35