‘Weird fascination’: Why holidaying Labubu fans are insuring their toys

The global Labubu craze has taken the nation by storm – and one in four Australians are going to extreme lengths to protect their toys before heading overseas. WATCH THE VIDEO

EXCLUSIVE: Aussie Labubu fans who are splurging hundreds or even thousands on the popular fluffy toys are now going to extreme lengths to protect their precious cargo by insuring them before heading overseas.

The global Labubu craze has taken the nation by storm with their fluffy bodies and toothy grins seen everywhere – dangling from handbags and perched on bedroom bookcases and office desks.

Nearly one in four Australians said they would take out travel insurance to protect their Labubus, according to a new report from travel insurance provider PassportCard.

The global Labubu craze has taken Australia by storm with their fluffy bodies and toothy grins seen everywhere. Picture: Tim Hunter

That number jumps to almost one in three among Millennials and Gen Z, with one in five young tourists believing Labubus will be a target for thieves across Europe this summer.

The mischievous looking toy, created by Hong Kong designer Kasing Lung and marketed by Pop Mart, has sparked an obsession, with videos online showing queues snaking around stores worldwide selling Labubus before dawn in major cities.

Their retail price can range from approximately $30 to $160 in Australia, with a regular blind box Labubus costing around $30. Limited editions, plush versions, and figures can cost more.

However, the value they can carry can be up to $1000 or more, according to reseller websites.

Rachael Clayton is heading to Europe and plans on her seven Labubus with her.

Rachael Clayton isn’t taking any chances on her upcoming European trip, and purchased a $150 insurance package for her seven Labubus.

And they weren’t cheap either, with each one costing between $45-60, a total of around $400.

“If I lost one on a trip I’d feel sad, especially nowadays with how hard they were to get and how long ago I bought them – they’re a part of me at this point,” the 23-year-old from Sydney said.

“I know people think they’re stupid, but to me and to other Labubu fans out there, we all understand that it’s just this weird fascination to have with these little fluffy things.”

Olivia Bubaalo from Sydney, who will be travelling to Spain, Croatia, Belgium, France and Greece over three weeks, paid an extra $150.89 to include her Labubus in her travel insurance.

Olivia Bubalao, 24, from Sydney who is travelling to Spain, Croatia, Belgium, France and Greece over three weeks, sought insurance for her Labubu after seeing videos online of people who had been pickpocketed.

“I’ve been hearing about many people having theirs stolen and so I did some research and, once I found an insurance package that included my Labubu in personal items of value, then it was a no-brainer,” she said.

PassportCard chief underwriting officer Michael Storozhev said Aussies insuring their Labubus showed that a global trend, which started about under a year ago, was officially kicking off in Australia.

“It sounds quirky but it goes to show how emotionally attached people are to the valuables they pack with them on an overseas trip,” he said.

For Ms Bubalao, a Labubu had also become a “fashion statement” to dangle from her handbag, while Ms Clayton said her Labubu collection added a spark to her day.

“It makes life a bit more childish, brings it back down to that inner-child,” she said.

Originally published as ‘Weird fascination’: Why holidaying Labubu fans are insuring their toys