Do your homework up front to prevent surprises if you need to file a claim
Understanding the Nuances of Active Assailant Coverage Is Paramount
From employee safety and property damage to business interruption and reputational harm, the risks that drive organizations to purchase active assailant insurance policies present a clear case for the product’s value. But many active assailant insurance products are reasonably new to the market, and as this coverage evolves into a more established line of business, it’s important to bear in mind that not all services in this space are created equally.
Understanding your coverage is key to any insurance transaction, and active assailant coverage is no exception. When it comes to this line of business and the growing diversity of products offered, it’s particularly incumbent upon organizations to understand the inherent nuances and intricacies of the product before making a purchase. Having a comprehensive understanding of important coverage definitions, conditions, and exclusions, as well as a clear grasp of how these elements affect real life claim scenarios allows organizations to attain a full picture of what they are getting with the purchase of this kind of coverage – including how they can use the services to their advantage, and when to engage them.
Five Questions to Ask When Shopping for Active Assailant Coverage
What is considered an event?
The way policy terms define an active assailant event is important to examine before committing to a product. Does the policy have a minimum number of victims or require bodily injury or property damage to trigger a claim? How does the policy respond to the brandishing of a weapon? There can be wide variation in how carriers address these nuances, so take care to understand what you are buying so that you can determine whether the coverage meets your needs.
Are there any specific exclusions?
Exclusions are always an important consideration when shopping for insurance coverage, and active assailant products present their own unique set of factors to think about. Gang violence, domestic violence, and theft and robbery are all frequent motives for assailants, so if any of these are not covered under the terms of the policy you are considering, you may want to keep looking for the best coverage to address your risk.
What coverages are included?
At a base level, all active assailant products provide protection in the event of a covered event, but coverages can differ from there. Look to see whether third-party legal liability is included, and if so, how the policy defines a third-party individual. You’ll also want to determine whether business interruption is included under the policy and what sub-limits are associated with the coverage. All of these factors can make a significant difference in the protection that you are purchasing.
What prevention and response services are included, and who is providing them?
Prevention and response services are often offered in tandem with active assailant products, and their inclusion is something to look for when looking for coverage. But these, too, can have variations in what is provided. Specifically, are these services included with the cost of coverage, or will there be an additional premium to access these services? Additionally, who is responsible for coordinating the services – and if that falls to the insured, are you comfortable taking on that responsibility? You’ll also want to review the provided response services to see whether they are specifically laid out or available only when “deemed necessary” by the insurer. Regardless of the details about what is provided, examine the provider’s experience in responding to these types of events and consider how closely they work with the carrier’s claims team. These are factors that can make a big difference in the level of support that you can expect to receive following an incident.
Make Informed, Educated Decisions by Knowing the Questions to Ask
As active assailant products are relatively new to the market, it’s understandable that the terms of each policy may differ significantly from one carrier to the next. But with such variation in the offerings available, it’s essential for insureds to understand what they are buying, and it’s easier to make informed and educated decisions if you know what to ask. Use these five questions as your guide for identifying the product that is right for your institution.
5/23/2025
By Justin Peterson, Underwriter - Deadly Weapons Protection, Beazley Group
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