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Survey Report

Insurance Marketplace Realities 2025 Spring Update – Crisis management

May 2, 2025

Amidst an active redrawing of the geopolitical landscape, new ‘crisis management’ market capacity has contributed to a broad softening of the rate environment, creating a prime buying opportunity.
Rate predictions: Crisis management
Trend Range
Terrorism and sabotage Neutral decrease increase icon -2.5% to +10%
Political violence Neutral decrease increase icon -10% to +5%
Active assailant Neutral-increse-icon-01 Flat to +10%
Kidnap & ransom Neutral-increse-icon-01 Flat to +5%

Key takeaway

Amidst an active redrawing of the geopolitical landscape, new ‘crisis management’ market capacity has contributed to a broad softening of the rate environment, creating a prime buying opportunity.

  • The entrance of five new carriers to the market, alongside line size increases among existing players, has accelerated a downward rate trend. 
  • Executive action by president Trump’s actions has challenged traditional understanding of the breadth of terrorism exclusions, particularly with regards to organized criminal activity and politically motivated sabotage.
  • There’s limited (effectively zero) appetite to write ‘terrorism-only’ coverage in certain conflict zones where the difference between terrorism and acts of war may be hard to distinguish.
  • Previous upwards price movement resulting from concerns about regional esclations were largely localized to the territories concerned, and many of those Insureds who weathered large rate increases in 2024 have now seen rate decreases.
  • There have been some improvements for terms and conditions, especially with multi-city strikes, riots and civil commotion occurrence definitions and Middle East escalation clauses.  
  • Three years into the war, some insurers have begun to write coverage for Ukrainian exposures located away from the front lines.
  • The shooting of the United Healthcare CEO in December has led many companies to review security plans and executive protection protocols.
  • Equally, the high-profile vehicular attack on New Year’s Eve in New Orleans highlighted the need for physical protection within public places.
  • New legislation is coming to effect this year (e.g., NY Retail Worker Safety Act) that will require workplace violence hazard assessment, prevention policies and training.
  • These are some of the many reasons that have raised policyholder interest in how active assailant protection can help organizations counter these threats.
  • No longer applicable only to organizations engaged in high-risk international operations, buyers with domestic exposure — including small and medium enterprises (SMEs) — are increasingly attracted to ‘special crime’ coverage. 
  • The November kidnapping in Toronto of WonderFi’s CEO highlighted the vulnerability of crypto firm executives to would-be criminals, given their attractive access to cryptocurrency ransoms.
  • Rates remain generally stable, as does supporting market capacity. Slight rate increases for higher-limit placements owing to reinsurance costs.

To read more, download the full report below.

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Insurance Marketplace Realities 2025 Spring UpdatePDF12.3 MB

Disclaimer

WTW hopes you found the general information provided here informative and helpful. The information contained herein is not intended to constitute legal or other professional advice and should not be relied upon in lieu of consultation with your own legal advisors. In the event you would like more information regarding your insurance coverage, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. In North America, WTW offers insurance products through licensed entities, including Willis Towers Watson Northeast, Inc. (in the United States) and Willis Canada Inc. (in Canada).

Contacts

Fergus Critchley
Global Head of Terrorism & Political Violence
Email+44 7825 790 897
Philipp Seel
Head of Special Risks, North America
Email+1 646 220 4807
Peter Bransden, Head of Crisis Management, North America
Peter Bransden
Head of Crisis Management, North America

With 15 years experience in the specialty re(insurance) industry, Pete has spent time as an underwriter, broker and risk manager. Pete now leads Willis Crisis Management in North America working to protect clients from terrorism, political violence, active assailant, social unrest, kidnap for ransom and extortion risks.

Email+1 305 240 1024
Related content tags, list of linksSurvey ReportCrisis ManagementInsuranceUnited StatesCanada

Related capabilities

Crisis Management

We specialize in helping you understand and mitigate a spectrum of security-related risks through effective risk management and insurance solutions.

Active Assailant Risk Management

Active assailant risk management and planning can assist organizations against the ever-present risks of active assailant attacks.

Terrorism and Political Violence

Our Crisis Management team keeps you informed on critical issues and events, providing tailored risk management strategies for terrorism and political violence, and active assailant threats.

Contact us