Difficult as it is to believe, the Pokémon game in its various forms has been around since 1995. You may still have collections of Pokémon cards in your attic or have a copy of the original Game Boy version released by Nintendo in 1996. Fast forward to 2016, and Pokémon is back in a big way.
Pokémon Go, a mobile app that allows users to hunt virtually for Pokémon in the real great outdoors, become wildly popular, amassing more users than Twitter in just a few days. However, like most cultural phenomena, Pokémon Go has also spawned unintended consequences, such as injuries and property damage resulting from distracted users — fortunately, most of these are covered by insurance, according to the New York City-based Insurance information Institute.
Even if you don’t know what Pokémon Go is — or don’t play — you’ve probably already seen it in action. Hordes of players have been seen scouring neighborhoods, smartphones in hand, hoping to “Catch 'em all.” In positive news, these players are venturing outside for fresh air, exercise and to experience their world in new ways (or maybe not). The downside? Some of them are also walking, biking, or skating into signposts, sewer grates and even each other — not to mention even more serious issues.
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Rosalie Donlon
Rosalie Donlon is the editor in chief of ALM's insurance and tax publications, including NU Property & Casualty magazine and NU PropertyCasualty360.com. You can contact her at [email protected].
