Recent events across the world emphasise more than ever the real and present threat active shooter/assailant attacks pose. Special Contingency Risks’ William Miller shares his insight into how the insurance market has responded and the role we play as an intermediary.
Active shooter/assailant attacks are about survival, both of people and of business. While most cannot predict if and when they might be affected by such an event, either directly or indirectly, they can take steps to protect their business and personnel if the worst was to happen.
Attacks can occur in all types of businesses; however those exposed to the general public, such as hotels, hospitals and universities are most at risk. Two recent examples highlight the danger posed:
2 June 2017 - Resorts World Manila, Philippines
36 people died during an attack on a casino, when a lone assailant entered with a gun and set fire to casino tables. The attacker was later discovered in a hotel room having committed suicide. There are conflicting reports as to whether the attack was connected to terrorism or if it was simply a robbery attempt.
10 February 2017 - MTR metro system, Hong Kong
A 60 year old man threw a petrol bomb into a stationary train at Tsim Sha Tsui Station shortly after 7pm. There were no fatalities, however several people sustained injuries from burns and inhalation of gases. The station was closed for several hours with widespread disruption to the network.
Matching exposures to risk mitigation and transfer options
Active shooter/assailant cover has and continues to evolve as the market responds to an increase in demand and the changing face of violent assault, including terror attacks.
Following the realisation that most general policies purchased by organisations – including terrorism, employee/general liability and business interruption insurance – were failing to provide effective coverage for active shooter/assailant incidents, the insurance market responded by introducing a range of tailored solutions.
Whilst the concepts of duty of care and business contingency are at the forefront of most organisations’ minds, many are still at the stage of determining what exposures they should be prioritising when it comes to active shooter/assailant attacks and what part insurance might play.
As an intermediary, our role is to assist clients in fully understanding the available policies, including coverage variances, how these relate to policies they may already have and how to check there are no gaps in coverage.
Assault and hostage crisis coverage
In response to demands for specialist coverage, Special Contingency Risks (SCR) has worked with the market to offer an assault and hostage crisis (AHC) policy that reflects the uncertain nature of an active shooter/assailant attack.
Coverage encompasses financial protection, tangible support in the event of a threat or actual attack, and access to specialist preventative and incident management advice from leading experts in the field.
For more detailed information regarding this coverage, click here to request our literature.
We're here to help
Active shooter/assailant is an evolving risk environment with a growing demand for risk transfer solutions. It does however require on-going education as the market continues to evolve.
We are working closely with our clients to equip them with the knowledge and understanding they need to secure the most suitable cover for their clients.
Please get in touch if you would like to discuss any aspect of active shooter/assailant cover. We're here to help.
About SCR
Part of the Miller Group, Special Contingency Risks has been helping organisations to identify, mitigate and where appropriate transfer their security risks since 1976. We work with clients to provide high quality, cost effective and robust insurance and response solutions, tailored to the exposures that affect them most. Fundamentally, our programmes are designed to prevent, mitigate and respond to incidents.
All SCR policies are underpinned by 24/7 access to our in-house security risk and crisis management practice, Alert:24. Comprised of former military, police and intelligence services personnel and falling under three mutually supporting pillars, Alert:24 provides intelligence, consultancy and training to help mitigate clients’ risks and reduce their exposures.