Evening journal., 1899-11-07
BIG INSURANCE.
The Prince of wales Carries an
Enormous Amount.


A big insurance man told me recently
in New-York that the Prince of Wales
was the heaviest risk nf any patron OF
the insurance business, and that his
death wonld cost English, German,
French and American companies not
less than s10,0O0,000.
"No other person carries 20 per cent
OF that insurance" he said, "but COM
paratively little of it is for the benefit
of his family; perhaps not more than
81 ,000, 900.
1T is a curious fact" continued my
insurance friend. who spends a good.
deal of his time in England. that 81
600 900 OF $4,000 900 of insurance, per-
haps more than shat, has been placed
on the life of the Prince OF Wales as a
speculation by persons who do not
know him and have never had any rela-
tions with him whatever. This would
not be possible under the insurance
laws OF the United States, but il is al
lowed by some of the English cOmpan-
les over there any man can secure
policy on the life of a neighbor, pro-
vided he can persuade the neighbor TO
submit to a medical examination or find
a company which has recently had him
examined Thus when the Prince of
Wales undergOes an examination for in
surance lots of spectators apply to the
same company for policies on his life,
or get certified copies of the report of
the medical examiner and use them
with other companies IL is pure specu-
lation. They pay a high premium, a
margin. so to speak, or, to put It in an
other way, they book a wager with the
insurance companies that the Prince
al 4 L., hr fgtn ~f ffnf.
miums exceeds the amount of the poll
cy. Therefore, many persons would be
financially benefited If Albert Edward
should drop OF suddenly one of these
fine days The Prince is perfectly aware
OF this fact He knows very well what
advantages have been taken OF his sit
uation, but I do not suppose il makes
any difference with his habits"
Are kings generally insured?"
asked
Yes, most of them. but they are not
! regarded as a good risk, and companies
that carry the policies do not advertise
the fact any more than necessary. It
Injuries rather than benefits them. The
late Emperor Frederick, father of the
present Kaiser, carried nearly S5,000.0O0
of insurance, which is about all the
/ money his widow has to live on, for her
pension from the German Government
is small. Frederick was considered a
| first class risk He was a man of ro-
bust health. splendid stature. with the
training and frugal habits of a soldier,
I and was an athlete: but all at once a
cancer was discovered, which he doubt
less inherited from his grandmother.
beautiful Queen Louisa, and he failed
rapidly. The present Kaiser is not
considered a good risk. This Is quite
as much because OF his constitutional
defects as for political considerations.
but for obvious reasons no company
would decline an application from him
for insurance"
Il understand the Queen Of Spain is
heavily insured?"
Yes, that is supposed to be the case,
| although little is known about II. and
the prevailing impression is that most
! Of her policies are in American COM
panies, which have agencies In Madrid.
] Alfonso XII. her husband, was insured
in several French and English compan.
ies-some say to the extent OF $5,O00,.
600. but | do not know the exact
amount. Chicago Record