Pokémon Go With Liability Coverage

Pokémon Go With Liability Coverage

By this point you’ve probably heard of Pokémon Go, the insanely popular augmented reality game released last week by Nintendo, which allows users to explore their surroundings and find Pokémon characters. While the app was officially released in Canada on Sunday, many avid gamers have been playing for much longer, creatively working around the location barrier to get a head start on their virtual collection before the game’s proper release.

Pokémon Go utilizes your smartphone’s location tracking, GPS and digital image camera overlay, to allow users to go on a virtual scavenger hunt around their neighbourhoods. The game has been an overnight success, with over seven million downloads so far and has shot Nintendo’s stock to over $7.5 billion since its launch. Many have praised Nintendo’s latest release as taking the gaming experience to a new level, because in order for users to find their favourite characters they must be physically active, thus inadvertently promoting fitness in a new and exciting way.

Thousands of people have already taken to the streets, walking, biking, and rollerblading, trying to catch ‘em all. But with this frenzy comes many glassy-eyed users from around the world, who have been running or crashing into other people or objects while absorbed in the game. Some of these users have even been posting their Pokémon Go related injures to social media. One player reported accidently falling into a ditch while playing, fracturing their foot in the process. Another news outlet reported that a driver in New York crashed their car into a tree while playing Pokémon Go, causing him to sustain lacerations to both legs.

So what happens if you’re injured or you injure someone else while playing Pokémon Go?

We’re not talking about virtual reality injuries either, but real-life and possibly long-term injuries that could cost thousands of dollars in medical bills.

First, don’t expect the application to pay for your damages, as Nintendo has insured its past releases against damages such as user generated content, property damage, bodily injury, civil liability and breach of contract, and probably has the same protection in place for Pokémon Go.

However, your personal Liability Insurance, which is sometimes called Third-Party Coverage, will cover the cost of damages that arise from you injuring a third party, you damaging a third party’s property or a third party getting injured on your property. For example, if you were to damage some else’s property or home, you would be covered under your this policy. Likewise, if you accidentally injure someone while playing the game, your insurance policy would respond to defend your negligence and ultimately pay-out if the injuries sustained by the other party are significant enough.

Liability Insurance is included in all Home Insurance policies purchased in Ontario, and will protect you against the financial costs of lawsuits against you, up to the limit listed on your policy. If you live in an apartment or dormitory, your Tenants or Renters Insurance policy will also include Liability Coverage. When living with your parents, you are automatically insured under their Dwelling Policy and their Liability Coverage would extend to you.

Unsure of what your liability insurance limit is? Call your Excalibur broker today at 1-888-298-7343, to make sure you’re covered before you (Pokémon) Go!