Specialty re/insurer IQUW has introduced a new active assailant insurance product in partnership with crisis response specialist Crisis24.
The coverage is designed to protect businesses against physical attacks carried out by individuals or groups using weapons such as firearms, knives, vehicles, or drones.
Unlike traditional terrorism insurance, which requires evidence of political, religious, or ideological motives, active assailant insurance does not have such requirements.
IQUW’s Active Assailant insurance, led by Kate Hughes (pictured above), underwriter for terrorism, political violence and war, is available to a range of commercial and residential properties, as well as religious institutions, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, events, and municipalities.
The partnership with Crisis24 also provides policyholders with access to crisis response services, backed by a team of private sector intelligence analysts.
Hughes stated that active assailant incidents represent a growing threat to businesses, particularly in the US, where shooter incidents have increased significantly. Many of these events are not covered under all risk or general liability policies, creating potential coverage gaps.
Incidents of mass shootings in the United States increased by 43% over the decade leading to 2023, while Europe has experienced a rise in lone-actor violent extremism.
Notably, while workplace shooting incidents in the US have plateaued in recent decades, there are still many who were ultimately harmed or killed in attacks. A Statista report found that from 2020 to 2024, in the span of 16 incidents, 91 fatalities and 45 injuries were recorded. This is in contrast to the previous decade, which saw 80 fatalities and 52 injuries.
Securing coverage for these incidents are also facing its own set of challenges. Due to the increasing frequency of violent incidents, insurers have raised premiums for policies covering such events.
Additionally, some standard policies may exclude certain violent acts, necessitating additional coverage or endorsements. Insurers also often require comprehensive risk assessments and the implementation of security measures before providing coverage.
As these events become more frequent and motives remain difficult to determine, IQUW said that businesses should actively consider coverage options that address both financial and emotional risks associated with such attacks.
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