Unusual claims for 2019 

Posted: 16 December 2019

As 2019 draws to a close, Allianz Insurance has revealed some of the most unusual claims it has received so far this year.

Some of the strangest claims include:

  • A fallen Unicorn: A claim was made to repair a damaged fallen Unicorn which can usually be found on a famous London landmark
  • Dog waste fire: As a result of somebody putting a lit sparkler in a dog waste bin, it caused a nearby furniture store to be completely burnt down
  • Cement mishap: Over 69 vehicles became encased in concrete following a mishap from a neighbouring concrete mixer
  • Written-off sports cars: A valet driver was left red faced after cleaning a brand new £150,000 sports car, only to accelerate the vehicle into the rear of another £130,000 sports car.

Lee Watts, head of technical claims, Allianz Insurance commented:

“These cases are just a handful of examples that highlight the breadth of incidents and unfortunate claims our customers are faced with. Insurance provides people and businesses with the security of being protected, no matter how unusual the circumstances may be.

“Throughout the year we’ve looked at improving and streamlining our claims processes to ensure it’s as easy as possible for customers to make claims in their time of need. This is something that we will continue to do in 2020.”


The information contained in this press release relates to Allianz Insurance plc. Allianz Insurance plc is one of the largest general insurers in the UK and part of the Allianz Group.

About Allianz Holdings plc

Allianz Holdings plc is the non-regulated holding company which owns the principal insurance operations of Allianz SE in Great Britain.

About Allianz

The Allianz Group is one of the world's leading insurers and asset managers with more than 100 million* private and corporate customers in more than 70 countries. Allianz customers benefit from a broad range of personal and corporate insurance services, ranging from property, life and health insurance to assistance services to credit insurance and global business insurance. Allianz is one of the world’s largest investors, managing 790 billion euros on behalf of its insurance customers. Furthermore, our asset managers PIMCO and Allianz Global Investors manage 1.7 trillion euros of third-party assets. Thanks to our systematic integration of ecological and social criteria in our business processes and investment decisions, we are amongst the leaders in the insurance industry in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. In 2021, over 150,000 employees achieved total revenues of 148.5 billion euros and an operating profit of 13.4 billion euros for the group.

These assessments are, as always, subject to the disclaimer provided below. 

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements

This document includes forward-looking statements, such as prospects or expectations, that are based on management's current views and assumptions and subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results, performance figures, or events may differ significantly from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Deviations may arise due to changes in factors including, but not limited to, the following: (i) the general economic and competitive situation in the Allianz Group's core business and core markets, (ii) the performance of financial markets (in particular market volatility, liquidity, and credit events), (iii) the frequency and severity of insured loss events, including those resulting from natural catastrophes, and the development of loss expenses, (iv) mortality and morbidity levels and trends, (v) persistency levels, (vi) particularly in the banking business, the extent of credit defaults, (vii) interest rate levels, (viii) currency exchange rates, most notably the EUR/USD exchange rate, (ix) changes in laws and regulations, including tax regulations, (x) the impact of acquisitions including and related integration issues and reorganization measures, and (xi) the general competitive conditions that, in each individual case, apply at a local, regional, national, and/or global level. Many of these changes can be exacerbated by terrorist activities.

No duty to update

The Allianz Group assumes no obligation to update any information or forward-looking statement contained herein, save for any information we are required to disclose by law.
*Including non-consolidated entities with Allianz customers.

Charlotte Stretton
Media Relations Officer
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