Becker Buys $10-Million Lloyds Policy Against Being Kidnaped
LONDON — 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.â€
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.
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