The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-09-27
INSURING ROYALTY.
Kings Not Regarded as a Very Good
Risk by the Companies.

W. E. Curtis in Chicago Record.
A big insurance man told me recently in
New York that the Prince of Wales was
the heaviest risk of any patron of the in
surance business, and that his death would
cost English, German, French and Amer
lean companies not less than $10,O00,000
No other person carries 20 per cent. Of
that insurance, he said, but compare
lively little of il is for the benefit OF his
family: perhaps not more than $1,O0O,00.
Some years ago large policies were taken
out by his creditors as security for money
loaned If he should ever pay his debts,
they would of course, revert to him, and
might be carried for the benefit of his
family but his premiums, like the prem
ium on all of the royal families OF Eu-
rope. are very high-much higher than
those paid by private individuals for the
same amount of insurance.
1t is a curious fact continued my in
surance friend who spends a good deal
of his time in England, that 100000 or
So 600 of insurance, perhaps more than
that, has been placed on the life of the
Prince of Wales as a speculation by per-
sons who do not know him and have never
had any re.ation with him whatever. This
would not be possible under the insurance
laws OF the United States, but it is allow
ed by some of the English companies.
Over there any man can secure policy
on the life Of a neighbor, provided he can
persuade the neighbor to submit to a med
ical examination to find a company which
has recently had him examined. Thus,
when the Prince of Wales undergoes an
examination for insurance, lots of specu-
Iators Apply 20 the same company for poll
cies on his life, or get certified copies of
the report of the medical examiner and
use them with other companies. IT is pure
speculation. They pay high premium,
a margin. so 10 speak, or, to put it in
another way, they book a wager with the
insurance company that the Prince will
die before the total of their premiums ex-
ceeds the amount of the policy. There
fore many persons would be financially
benefited if Albert Edward should drop off
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 situation, but / do NOT
suppose ii makes any difference with his
habits
Are kings generally insured?" I asked.
Yes most of them. but they are not re-
garded a q good risk. and companies that
carry the policies do not advertise the fact
any more than necessary II Injuries rather
than benefits them. The late Emperor
Frederick. father of the present Kaiser,
carried nearly S5,O0oOOO of insurance,
which is about all the money his widow
German government is small. Frederick
was considered a hrst-c.ass risk He was
a man of robust health. splendid stature,
with the training and frugal habits of
soldier aud was an athlete; but all at once
a cancer was discovered. which he doubt
less inherited from his grandmother. the
beautiful Queen Louisa, and ne failed
rapidly. The present Kaiser is, not con-
sidered Il good risk. This is quite as much
because of his constitutional defects as
for political considerations, but for obv-
Gus reasons no company would decline am
anpl;catlon from him for insurance"
II understand the Queen Of Spain is
heavily insured
Eyes. that is supposed to be the case
although little is known about IL, and the
prevailing impression is that most Of her
poljcies are In American companies which
have agencies in Madrid. Alfonso XII
her husband was insured in severa
French and English companles-some ea'
10 the extent Of 100000, but l do no
know the exact amount