Does Wii cause home insurance claims?

Recently, home insurance companies around the world have been reporting an increase in video game related home insurance claims- specifically, Nintendo’s Wii.

The popular interactive video game has become all the craze with children and adults; and men and women alike. Interactive games include bowling, tennis and golf where players actually go through the motions of bowling a ball and swinging a racket or club.

William Morrison, chairman of the Scottish Board of the College of Emergency Medicine said, “I have heard of one case where someone knocked their elbow against the wall and broke it while playing tennis. [] I have also heard of repetitive strain injury”.

Insurance claims have ranged from Medical Payment claims to damage claims. One family filed a claim after a neighbor’s child tripped and fell into their plasma TV while playing Wii.  They filed a $1000 medical payments claim as well as tried to recover the damages to their television set.

Another home insurance claim that many home insurance companies have seen recently involves damage to television sets when the Wii controller accidentally gets thrown at the television.

It’s important for homeowners to know that while Medical Payments claims are usually covered under standard home insurance policies, damage due to negligence (like throwing the remote control at your television) would NOT typically be covered by your home insurance policy.

Visit Ninetendo’s website for a full list of Wii Safety Precautions.