Becker Buys $10-Million Lloyds Policy Against Being Kidnaped
West German tennis star Boris Becker has taken out a $10-million insurance policy against being kidnaped, Lloyds of London said today.
A Lloyds spokesman who requested anonymity said that Becker, who Sunday added the U.S. Open title to his Wimbledon championship, is paying $160,000 a year for the policy, which is underwritten by Lloyds.
“Policies like these are common for a lot of prominent people,” the Lloyds spokesman said. “If he is not around to make his contractual agreements, a lot of money has to be paid out by agents and others who’ve made arrangements.”
Another tabloid paper, the Sun, reported that Becker regularly receives threats in the mail.
Today reported that Ion Tiriac, Becker’s manager, took out a $4-million policy on Becker four years ago and that payments were $12,000 a year.
The paper said the worldwide attention Becker receives with victories like Sunday’s triumph over Ivan Lendl for the U.S. Open title made it necessary to increase the kidnap coverage.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
