BCCI raises insurance cover

New Delhi - India's cricket board has made a giant increase in insurace coverage for its players and staff, news reports said on Wednesday.

The Hindustan Times newspaper said the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will significantly raise the size of life insurance and personal accident cover for all cricketers men and women and team officials.

The newspaper, quoting BCCI's chief administrator Ratnakar Shetty, said the value of their personal accident policies would be raised to 25 million Indian rupees ($526 300), from the existing value of 1 million rupees ($21 000).

Shetty said the new policies will be in place before the World Twenty20 from next month.

The policies, for which the BCCI pays the premiums, pays out in the event of accidental injuries, partial and permanent disability and accidental death.

The BCCI also pays for insurance against plane hijacking, baggage loss and emergency hospitalization, with policies valued at 1.25 million rupees ($26 300).