Want to get your face insured? You might not even stand a chance

India Today

a day ago

Just a couple of days back, rumours were rife that Karan Johar had made multiple visits to South Korea to get his face insured (yes, that's a thing).Now, while the rumours went crazy viral, thanks to a Reddit thread, there has been no statement or confirmation from his side yet that could substantiate these claims. He, in fact, shared a cryptic post amidst all the hullabaloo around his so-called face insurance.
The Reddit thread that went viral.
While there is doubt looming over the authenticity of this update, there is also a lot of curiosity surrounding the concept of face insurance.India Today spoke to cosmetologists to understand things better, and this is what we understood.The fuss about face insuranceYou can get an insurance policy for almost anything valuable – your house, car, jewellery. But it turns out there are more things (or body parts) that can be insured than what just meets the eye.Face insurance refers to a type of insurance policy that protects a person's facial appearance, typically taken out by celebrities, models, actors, or public figures whose face is directly tied to their livelihood.It is not your conventional insurance product, available to everyone off the shelf. Rather, it's a customised policy often created under body part insurance or celebrity insurance offered by specialised underwriters (Lloyd's of London).Dr Debraj Shome, co-founder and director, The Esthetic Clinics, says, "This type of insurance provides monetary compensation in the event of facial trauma, disfigurement, burns, or complications from reconstructive procedures that may result in loss of income or career disruption. While relatively rare, face insurance has gained attention in Western countries through high-profile examples such as actors and athletes insuring body parts critical to their professions."Why would someone insure their face?Well, the idea is simple: if your face is your brand (in case you are a movie star, model, or beauty influencer), any damage done to your it, like permanent scars, disfigurement, etc, it could lead to a loss of income or career opportunities. This insurance will make sure to cover any loss that you incur, just in case something untoward happens.Dr. Akanksha Singh, Senior Cosmetologist, SENS Clinic, also adds that since facial appearance is an important differentiator and a critical determinant of commercial value for actors, models and influencers, it makes for an important asset that is worth insuring.Medical evaluations are essential to policy underwriting. Experts in facial surgery, dermatology, and biometric analysis conduct baseline documentation that supports future claims.How is the assessment doneDr Singh says that the procedure for face insurance is highly customised, taking into account the face's commercial value based on an assessment of linked endorsements and other commercial contracts.Speaking about the evaluation, Dr Shome, explains, "Pre-insurance evaluations involve high-definition photography, dermatological assessments, and digital facial symmetry mapping. These evaluations are often supported by clinicians with experience in both aesthetic medicine and reconstructive surgery. Institutions with a multidisciplinary approach."The process begins with a consultation between the applicant and an insurer, where the insured value and risk exposure are discussed.This is followed by a comprehensive facial assessment conducted by qualified medical professionals.These assessments typically include three-dimensional facial imaging, skin health analysis, and structural symmetry reports. Medical practitioners with expertise in facial aesthetics and reconstructive surgery are best positioned to conduct these evaluations.Once clinical documentation is submitted, the insurer conducts risk analysis based on the applicant's profession, exposure to facial risk, and previous medical or cosmetic interventions.Policy terms are then tailored to the individual, with coverage potentially including trauma, burns, medically indicated surgery, and career-impacting disfigurement.Periodic reassessments are often required to ensure policy accuracy. These reassessments are supported by consistent documentation from medical centres that maintain standardised photographic and diagnostic records.This protocol ensures transparency, minimises claims disputes, and anchors the insurance policy in medical evidence.And then, there is body part insurance tooJust like you can insure your face, you can also insure any part of your body. However, you need to prove it's a real asset and not an appendage. It also involves proving that you have used a considerable amount of time and money perfecting the skills and functions of the body part in question.For instance, surgeons can get their hands insured since they have been through extensive training throughout their lives and if something were to happen to them that could finish their ability to perform more surgeries, the insurance will take care of the finances.Same with a sommelier, whose taste buds or their sense of smell is their source of income.Celebrities and their insured body partsFor an average person, face or body insurance can be really difficult to obtain because it comes with a hefty price tag. Only high-net-worth individuals with higher disposable income can opt for it.Heidi Klum apparently insured her legs for about $2 million, but one was worth more than the other because of a scar.Kim Kardashian, Miley Cyrus, and Julia Roberts have all been rumoured to have insured various body parts, including their faces or smiles, as part of personal branding protection.Where does India standadvertisementFace insurance is still uncommon, but it is slowly gaining recognition in countries where personal branding and appearance are directly linked to economic opportunity. While the number of policies issued globally remains limited, demand is increasing among professionals who are into visual media or performance arts.Specialist insurers in markets such as the United Kingdom and the United States have developed bespoke policies for actors, musicians, and media personalities, says Dr Shome.
"In emerging markets, awareness is growing, but uptake remains low due to a lack of tailored insurance products and standardised assessment protocols. However, aesthetic and reconstructive clinics in India and Southeast Asia are beginning to receive increasing queries related to face insurance," Dr Shome concludes.