And you thought you'd heard it all.

Not everything about insurance has to be stuffy. According to Uniqueinterestingfacts.com, there are several policies out there that are far from boring. Some celebrities buy insurance for their body parts, for example, leg insurance (ha!). David Beckham's legs are insured at $35 million each, but he is not the only one with a leg policy. Singer Mariah Carey can top his $70 million legs as her’s are insured for a cool billion. Bruce Springsteen also took out a policy through Lloyd's of London to insure his husky voice for 3.5 million pounds. But it gets even stranger in the body insurance world. The Rolling Stones guitarist, Keith Richards, has insured just his middle finger on his left hand for $1.6 million, and Gene Simmons insured his tongue for $1 million. Proctor & Gamble insured Pittsburgh Steeler Troy Polamalu's flowing locks for a cool $1 million as this football giant is the current face (or hair) of P&G's anti-dandruff shampoo, Head & Shoulders.


But there is still one policy that tops the weird meters…drum roll please… according to Parade Magazine, actress Shirley MacLaine is the owner of one of the most bizarre insurance policies. According to the publication, this storied actress owns a multi-million dollar policy protecting her acting fortune against alien abduction. Nope, you read right. I’m still trying to figure out what the aliens will do with her cash flow, buy a new space craft, or maybe a new bike for ET? But she is not alone; in fact, more than 20,000 people in the United States have given their hard earned cash over to cover themselves in the event of alien abduction!

So my final question to you: What do you think my insurance knowledge should be insured for, you know, in case the aliens steal it?


Nicole Emery
Personal Lines

Meet Nick and learn about distractions while driving!

Well this is my first blog so I will start my blogging experience with an introduction of myself and some of what I believe are the biggest distractions while driving. My name is Nick Gunn and I am the claims administrator for Nixon Insurance Agency. Along with being the claims administrator, I also work in commercial and personal lines sales. I started at Nixon Insurance in 2006 and worked here until 2009, first as a part time intern and then as a full time employee. I returned here in 2011 as the claims administrator after working at another agency from 2009 – 2011. Earlier this year I completed my Certified Insurance Counselor, CIC, designation. I am married to my wonderful wife, Jessica, who puts up with me way more than anyone should. We currently live in Bartonville and have two beagles, Finn and Shot. In my free time, you will most likely find me watching a sporting event or on the golf course. Well enough about me.


As the claims administrator, I will start my blogging experience with what I feel are the six biggest distractions while driving.

1. Cell Phone Texting and Talking

- While it would seem that heavy fines and tickets would have slowed the number texting and driving instances but it seems that people have just gone to greater lengths to hide the act making it even more dangerous.

2. Talking to Passengers

- This is especially dangerous for youthful drivers. How many times have you passed a car full of teenagers blarring their music turned around talking to each other while traveling 70 mph down the interstate.

3. Eating and Drinking

- A study by Exxon Mobile found that over 70% of people admit to eating behind the wheel and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration concluded that those who eat and drive increase the odds of an accident by 80%. Think about those numbers.

4. Using a Navigation System

- GPS devices provide drivers with difficult to use, hard to see, and sometimes frustrating directions.

5. Putting on make up.

- Grooming is one of the leading causes of distraction-related accidents on the road each year.

6. Being a DJ.

- Thanks to smartphones, most people carry their MP3s, email, and phones in the same device. While it isn’t illegal to change playlist on your MP3 player it is just as distracting as texting while driving.

Minimize doing these things while driving and you will decrease your chances of having an accident. Until next time, drive safe!

5 Tips for a Safe Halloween

1. Chaperone Children
2. Make Costumes Easy to See                                  
3. Make Sure Costumes are Flame Retardant
4. Give Children an adult contact and phone number (in case they are separated from an adult)
5. Don't forget about Special Event Coverage for Haunted Houses, Hay Rides, Parades, Picnics, and Craft Fairs.

Nixon Insurance Agency offers special event coverage for a variety of these activities!

Enjoy the season!

Deborah Rogy

Commercial Lines

Some great information from one of our companies, West Bend Mutual Insurance Company.

More than 150 million people across the United States are affected by relentless heat that has caused the National Weather Service to issue severe heat warnings in 24 states. Since the beginning of July, more than 670 record temperatures have either been matched or broken. Even worse, the heat wave has claimed 39 lives, mostly young children and the elderly, with more expected in the coming weeks.
With the heat and humidity pushing the heat index well past 100 degrees in many areas of the Midwest, it's important to understand what you can do to keep the children in your care safe. These resources have been hand-selected by West Bend's child care loss prevention specialists.
Vehicular Hyperthermia
On average, 38 children die each year after being left in vehicles by their parents or caregivers. This year alone, 21 children have lost their lives. Learn more about Vehicular Hyperthermia so you can protect the children in your care.
Heat Stroke and Heat Exhaustion
We also encourage you to read our Extreme Heat Preparedness Safety Guide to learn how to identify and treat heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses in children.

© 2011 West Bend Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

Have a boat? Motorcycle? Any other "good weather" toy? Have insurance? We can help! We have companies that specialize in insuring your "toys".

Did you know that tornadoes are ranked on the Enhanced Fujita Scale from EF0 (weakest) to EF5 (strongest)? Secure major appliances with “L-brackets” to lessen the chance that they’ll shift or fly through the air during a tornado. Learn how to quickly disconnect breakers in the service box for your water, gas and electric. If there’s time before a storm, turn off these utilities. In case of a tornado, always make sure your insurance policy is up to date and provides enough coverage for your home and belongings.

Tornado Watch means: Conditions are conducive to the development of tornadoes in and close to the watch area. Tornado Warning means: A tornado has actually been sighted or indicated on radar and is occurring or imminent in the warning area.