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Athlete Body Part Insurance

Will Brown by Will Brown, December 02, 2025

David Beckham insured leg

Although it may sound absurd or luxurious, athlete body parts insurance was once a common practice that guaranteed that sports stars wouldn’t be left financially vulnerable in the event of an injury. While it was more common in international soccer, several local athletes signed hefty policies to protect their legs, knees, and even their hair. In this guide, we’ve explored the fascinating phenomenon of insured athlete body parts and the most memorable examples of these risk-mitigating policies.

What is the Meaning of Insured Body Parts?

So, what is the meaning of insured body parts exactly? Essentially, individual athletes, teams, or organizations may purchase insurance policies that pay out if a specific body part is injured or damaged. Why do they get it? We’ve kicked off this guide by exploring that further.

We’ve then looked at 10 memorable examples of body part insurances, from David Beckham’s leg to Fernando Alonso’s thumbs. In some instances, these examples set records for the price of the potential payouts, while others were included for their novelty factor. To round out the article, we’ve discussed why these policies aren’t common practice anymore.

Why Do Athleted Get Body Part Insurance?

More so than most any other profession, the ability for an athlete to perform and earn relies completely on their physical health. Their body parts insurance policies are calculated based on the financial loss attributed to the part’s injury, such as whether it prevents them from competing or fulfilling sponsorship deals.

A single injury could theoretically cost the athlete millions of dollars in contracts and endorsements, hence why they seek to protect themselves for lost compensation. Traditional insurances is unlikely to cover the high figures earned at the elite performance level, requiring special policies such as these.

In addition to the financial security provided, athletes may be granted more peace of mind, allowing them to compete at a higher level without fearing unsettling financial consequences. Considering how much of athletic competition is a mind game, this mental security cannot be understated.

Famous Athletes With Body Part Insurance

With the meaning of insured body parts well and truly defined, let us introduce you to some of the most notable examples of insured athletes. Several of these athletes still play today and are worth backing at online sports betting platforms, with several sites offering insured bets so you too can mitigate your risks.

1. David Beckham

In the mid-2000s, news of David Beckham’s body-insurance package created headlines around the world for its scope and huge price. Valued at between $180–$260 million in today’s money, the insurance specifically covered his legs among other notable details. This remains one of the most expensive athlete insurance policies today.

Interestingly, the package also insured his appearance and marketability during a time when he was one of the most recognizable athletes in the world. Its scope was likely so high because of Beckham’s many sponsorship deals, which far exceeded what he earned simply from playing soccer.

2. Cristiano Ronaldo

Because of the lack of public information about these contracts, there is a possibility that the Cristiano Ronaldo insurance leg policy even exceeded Beckham’s. Believed to have been signed before he joined the Real Madrid soccer team in 2009, his leg’s were reportedly insured for $160-$180 million in today’s money.

Reports stated that the deal was brokered by the team, who had just paid a world-record-breaking transfer fee to acquire Ronaldo for roughly $180 million, adjusted for inflation. His legs were seen to be the most valuable in soccer and key to his undeniable pace, power, style, and strategy.

3. Lionel Messi

Far exceeding any of the policies in this guide is the Lionel Messi insured foot policy, which was brokered by his then team, FC Barcelona. During his time with the team, it was reported that his left foot was insured for $900 million in the early 2010s, a staggering amount that is yet to be rivalled.

While Messi never commented on the report’s veracity, it has become legendary in soccer history that highlights the skill and iconic status of one of the best athletes to play the game. It also highlights just how important Messi was to FC Barcelona’s success, suggesting that the team’s income would take a huge battering without him.

4. Neymar Jr.

In 2017, Paris Saint-Germain set an as-of-yet-to-be-beaten world record transfer fee when they acquired Neymar Jr. for around $307 million in today’s dollars. It makes sense, then, why they would insure the athlete’s legs for roughly $125-$145 million in case of an injury.

Neymar’s body part insurance was particularly important to address his risky style of play, which was known for heavy dribbling and targeted fouling. Interestingly, the cost of insurance policies and transfer fees declined with Neymar in 2017, indicating the end of the peak spending era of international soccer.

5. Fernando Alonso

One of the more unique insurance contracts in sports, Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso was said to have insured his thumbs for around $35 million adjusted for inflation. The arrangement was made during the driver’s peak in the early 2010s, and brought to the public’s attention just how vital an F1 driver’s thumbs are for precision steering and gear changes. It also highlights just how lucrative racing for F1 is, with million-dollar sponsorships key to a team and driver’s success.

6. Serena Williams

Possibly inspired by the growing trend in international soccer, Serena Williams secured a leg insurance policy for around $3.5 million, adjusted for inflation, in the mid-2000s. Although this was far smaller than some of the other contracts on this list, it still created headlines due to its reflection of her domination over the sport and her cultural impact. In 2025, Williams returned to tennis after a 16-month hiatus, claiming she needed the health insurance, highlighting the growing need for athletes to be protected even late into their careers.

7. Manuel Neuer

In 2013, Bayern Munich and German national soccer team goalkeeper Manuel Neuer admitted to taking our hand insurance equal to roughly $5 million today. Considered to be one of the most technically proficient goalkeepers in the modern soccer era, Neuer’s hands were key to his career success and proved how different policies are required for niche functions in a sporting competition.

8. Iker Casillas

In 2007, goalkeeper for Real Madrid, Iker Casillas, made headlines when he insured his hands for around $15 million in 2025 money. The captain of both Real Madrid and the national team was insured for injuries both on and off the field. He later became a spokesman for the company he took the policy with, Groupama Insurance. After signing the deal, Casillas famously said, “If I damage my knee, I’ll pretend my hand hurts.”

9. Troy Polamalu

Whether Troy Polamalu’s hair insurance policy technically counts as body parts insurance is up to date, but the oddity of the arrangement was just too big to ignore. When the former NFL player, who was known for his long, lustrous hair, fronted a marketing campaign by Head & Shoulders in 2010, the company announced that his hair was insured for $1.5 million in today’s money. Polamalu approached the news with humour, saying that his hair was important for his personal brand.

10. Merv Hughes

While Australian cricket player Merv Hughes is by no means a household name in the USA, news of his moustache insurance continues to gain attention today. Taken out in the late 1980s and 1990s, his moustache was insured for $450,000 in today’s money, with his handlebar facial hair central to his public persona. Despite retiring more than 30 years ago, Hughes continues to don the iconic look and is a regular fixture in Australian cricket broadcasting.

Why Less Athletes Are Getting Body Parts Insured

In the modern sporting era, athlete body part insurance appears to be a relic of the past. This is because of the complexity of modern player contracts, which already include extensive injury-protection clauses. These policies tend to cover comprehensive injuries that impact performance, removing the need for insurance on specific body parts.

It seems as though many of the policies in the 2000s were to generate publicity in a time before social media marketing. This particular insurance isn’t completely useless, though, especially for athletes who have become celebrities outside of the sporting arena. In these cases, policies are more likely to cover injuries that have aesthetic impacts on sponsorship deals rather than sporting performance.

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