Then in covering the market of insurance

In England, it tells that providing support is provided to 1,500 euros, against the trauma that would cause premature disposal of the national team (the band to Beckham having gone through the preliminary round, his insurer may blow). The Netherlands, a company offers companies to compensate them in case their employees "sécheraient" work to attend the games of their favorite team... Around the world, insurance can sometimes take unusual forms. For the Fifa (International Football Federation) and the Organizing Committee, it is a serious matter. And unavoidable.

The fans don't know may not be, but when they go to Germany to attend the games, their ticket includes insurance against accident. It protects if it anything their event in the stadium, before and during the games. This "accident-death-disability" contract agreed by Fifa from the German insurer Hamburg-Mannheimer. It covers the spectators, but also the members of the International Federation, the arbitrators, the international officials and guests of honour...

Cases of avian pandemic

Fifa and the organizers are also covered in civil liability and damage to the Hamburg company. Total amount of the guarantee: EUR 140 million. Even the mythical trophy designed by Silvio Gazzaniga is insured against theft or potential degradation to height of 350 000 euros!

The German organizing Committee took its precautions in case of cancellation. "The interests of Fifa converge not necessarily with those of the Organizing Committee, said Peter Luck, Director of the subscription of the special risks for Swiss Re. If the World Cup is shifted or moved to another country, Fifa should not suffer large losses if the event well take place. "For the local organisers, otherwise well: there may be additional costs if the event is postponed, and a big loss if it is moved. So the organizers have bought insurance cancellation from a Union of insurers and reinsurers. Cost of the premium: EUR 5 million. The Germans would have compensated in the amount of EUR 100 million if the world had been offset to next year, and 158 million euros if he had been transferred to another country or if it is cancelled. This could be the case with an avian influenza pandemic. Hypothesis had been shaking the insurers at the beginning of the year. It was, fortunately, not true.

The other black scenario is that of a terrorist attack. Since September 11, 2001, the threat on all major events that have a global audience. It is recalled that after the World Trade Center attacks, AXA had terminated in disaster the contract of insurance for the 2002 world... One remembers that in 1972, in Munich, hijacking and the murder of eleven Israeli athletes by the commando Palestinian "Black September" had thrown a shadow over the Olympics. The terrorist risk therefore was the subject of a special cover for the 2006 world. Fifa put him in the form of a so-called duty "catastrophe" in the amount of EUR 200 million. Otherwise said, if a terrorist act was losing the Federation expected revenue (broadcasting rights, sponsorship, ticketing, etc), these are investors who subscribed to this duty which will put the hand in the Pocket.

Move games

For insurers, the preparation of the world began well before the footballers. Four years ago, they began to floor on the event with the help of brokers and specialists. Objective: the event takes place at sites and planned dates, without incident and without damage, men, facilities or the environment. Together, they have therefore listed all the risks that involves the Organization of such an event. And they are many: financial risks, risks of damage to persons, logistical risks, risks associated with ticketing, climate risks and natural disasters, terrorist risks... Once this "risk mapping" established, it is to guard against, if not to limit. First, by taking the necessary steps with the security services. Then, in covering the market of insurance. Brokers, insurers and reinsurers then structuring a program while sharing risks.

Even if the threat of terrorism remains strong, the 2006 World was not as a real puzzle to ensure that, unlike other major sports events. The event is indeed focused on a single sport: it is easier to ensure for 64 football games for 35 sports and nearly 400 events that take place on different sites, as is the case for the Olympic Games. "If the World Cup stage was declared unserviceable, games could be quickly moved to one or other stages," said Peter Luck. In addition, at the time of the year, the risk of natural disasters are not very high German. This was not the case four years South Korea and the Japan, where the climate is less predictable.