When you think of the Grand Theft Auto (GTA) series, what’s the first thing that springs to mind?
Open world? Fast cars? Non-stop action? A whole lot of chaos?
One thing’s for certain; it’s a global phenomenon. Since launching in 1997, the GTA series has sold over 470 million units worldwide and Grand Theft Auto V remains the second highest selling video game of all time .
With the release of Grand Theft Auto VI just around the corner, we’ve started to wonder: if Vice City was a real place, what insurance would its residents actually need?
Of course, real life comes with one major disadvantage: there are no cheat codes. You can’t simply top up your health, spawn a sports car or make yourself invincible when things go wrong. That’s where insurance comes in.
In honour of GTA VI, we’ve chosen six insurance products that could come in handy in Vice City.
1. Vehicle insurance
The clue’s in the title with this one, no vehicle is safe in GTA. And it’s not just parked cars that are a target, with drivers regularly getting pulled out of stopped cars in the GTA universe. On top of that, there’s collisions galore and even opportunities to drive through windows and gas stations.
While the characters usually seem remarkably unfazed about the damage caused in the game, the same can’t be said about the real world. A crash could leave drivers with hefty repair bills, liability claims and potentially long spells off the road. Whether you’re commuting back and forth to work or heading off on a road trip, vehicle insurance can help provide protection against a whole range of motoring risks.
2. Home insurance
From tiny apartments to huge mansions on the water, Vice City has it all. And generally, the houses fare quite well against the bedlam of the game. Apart from a few broken windows and doors, they tend to survive with barely a scratch on them.
But while GTA houses seem almost indestructible, sadly, in real life, they aren’t. Houses are vulnerable to all sorts of things like storm damage, fire, theft and escape of water. Home insurance can help protect the building itself and, depending on the policy, the contents inside as well. It can be key to helping homeowners get back on their feet again after an incident.
3. High net worth insurance
We touched on waterfront mansions earlier and it’s true that some residents enjoy a very luxurious lifestyle in Grand Theft Auto. For those living it up on Starfish Island, players often see them enjoying private jets, pools and even cars that can fly or transform into submarines.
In reality, these homeowners would likely benefit from having high net worth (HNW) insurance should anything go wrong. While sometimes a standard policy might be enough, if you have any valuable assets that need higher limits or specialist protection (perhaps not as specialist as a flying car) then HNW insurance is the way to go.
4. Business insurance
From Ammu-Nation to Kronos, GTA has some iconic businesses in the games. Restaurants, bars, clubs, shops and entertainment venues all play a big role in the city’s economy (and in missions).
Running a business brings opportunities, but it also comes with risks. Accidental damage, theft, liability and employee-related claims can all impact your day-to-day operations. Business insurance can provide protection against these challenges, helping owners focus on running their business knowing they have a safety net in place.
5. Commercial property insurance
Commercial buildings in the GTA universe rarely have it easy. From smashed up shopfronts in Vice City’s ‘Shakedown’ mission to the destruction left behind during the “Cop Land” explosion, there’s a lot of damage and disruption inflicted by the mayhem in Vice City.
In the real world, repairing vandalism or structural damage can leave businesses facing considerable costs if they don’t have the appropriate insurance in place. Commercial property insurance can help protect offices, warehouses, restaurants, retail units and other physical premises and can be instrumental in helping a business recover and reopen following an insured event.
6. Public liability insurance
Whether they’re shopping at North Point Mall or grabbing a bite to eat at Calleggi Delicatessen, Vice City’s businesses welcome customers through their doors every day.
And wherever members of the public are, accidents can potentially happen. Customers could slip on a wet floor, trip over something and injure themselves or damage their belongings.
While these incidents may be brushed off as collateral damage in GTA, in the real-world businesses could be held legally responsible. Having public liability insurance can help protect businesses that interact with the public.
So, would Vice City be easy to insure?
Between the crashes, carjackings and a seemingly endless stream of pandemonium, Vice City would present more than its fair share of risks. But while the world of Grand Theft Auto is designed for entertainment, the risks it presents are very real.
Whether you’re protecting your home, car, business or any other valuable possessions, having insurance in place can help provide peace of mind when life doesn’t quite go according to plan. Because sadly, unlike in Grand Theft Auto, you can’t simply reload a previous save.
Speak to us on 01524 848506 or info@tic-insurance.co.uk to discuss your insurance requirements.
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