There is one mobile game taking the world by storm, and we have all heard something about it: Pokémon Go. The extension of this Nintendo’s franchise takes full advantage of what today’s smartphones have to offer, and uses geolocation and augmented reality to take players out of their homes and go look for all the Pokémon they can find.
However, the problems with this game started soon: there are many examples of accidents and traffic-related problems all over the world – from Japan to Massachusetts – and doctors are issuing warnings. Just like it happens with anything else, some Pokémon Go players are oblivious to the most basic safety rules, both for themselves and for other people, leading to this kind of problems.
But what if there was a way to “catch ’em all” safely, knowing you are protected in case things like this happen to you? With the craze caused by the game, chances are that this is not surprising – Sberbank, a Russian company specialized in the field, is rolling a free insurance focused at Pokémon Go players.
Starting July 17th, all the PokéStops near Sberbank branches across Russia will be equipped with special modules that attract Pokémon, which will allow players to visit the nearby Sberbank office and catch missing Pokémon, without having to risk themselves around the city.
The free insurance is available to players who want to keep exploring the city, so they can concentrate more on the game, as they know their safety is assured. To apply for it, players just need to visit the company’s website and insert their nickname and mobile number. Maxim Chernin, head of IC Sberbank Life Insurance, explained why the company is doing this:
“As the biggest life Insurance company in Russia, we feel our responsibility for the participants of Pokémon Go, the game that gains immense popularity now. Considering the number of news from around the world about players being injured while catching Pokémon, we created a special product that will be free for the players.
It is also important for us that the product will help to raise the financial literacy of the population: while playing, the younger generation will be able to get acquainted with such financial tool as insurance.”