Kidnap and ransom insurance or K&R insurance is designed to protect individuals and corporations operating in high-risk areas around the world.
Losses typically reimbursed by K&R insurance include:
Ransom monies – Money paid or lost due to kidnapping
Transit/delivery – Loss due to destruction, disappearance, confiscation, or wrongful appropriation of ransom monies being delivered to a covered kidnapping or extortion
Accidental death or dismemberment – Death or permanent physical disablement occurring during a kidnapping
Judgements and legal liability – Cost resulting from any claim or suit brought by any insured person against the insured
Additional expenses – Medical care, severe disruption of operations, potential damage to company brand, PR counsel, wage and salary replacement, relocation and job retraining, and other expenses related to a kidnapping incident.
The policies also typically pay for the fees and expenses of crisis management consultants. These consultants provide advice to the insured on how to best respond to the incident. Even the most basic training for people traveling to dangerous places is not easily provided or is not obtained by small to mid-sized companies.
For real estate and property management clients, balancing the cost-saving benefits of higher insurance deductibles with lender requirements can be challenging. Strategies such as deductible buy down policies, indemnity agreements, and reimbursement policies help insureds reduce premiums while meeting lender expectations. Additionally, effective collateral management, including alternatives like letters of credit and third-party trust arrangements, is critical for clients navigating the increasing costs and evolving requirements of loss-sensitive insurance programs.
Catastrophe bonds issued over 2023 averaged a premium of 8.6%, the highest in ten years, according to data from global reinsurance consultancy Lane Financial. Coming on top of US cash rates of more than 5% made for a nearly 14% yield. That compares to issue yields in 2021 of barely 6%.
The California FAIR Plan provides essential property insurance for high-risk areas, offering basic coverage against perils like fire and wind when traditional insurance options are unavailable. However, this limited coverage does not usually meet lender requirements, as it excludes important protections like liability, theft, and water damage. To meet lender standards and achieve comprehensive protection, homeowners using the FAIR Plan often need to add a supplemental policy, such as a Difference in Conditions (DIC) policy, to fill these gaps.
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