How does an organisation respond to allegations of sexual misconduct? Many discover too late that their general liability policy contains exclusions they never noticed, leaving them exposed when they need protection most.

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Sexual Molestation Liability

When the unthinkable happens, we make sure you're protected

A youth counsellor at a summer camp. A volunteer at a healthcare facility. A teacher at a school. We trust these people with our most vulnerable, but what happens when that trust is broken? How does an organisation respond to allegations of sexual misconduct? Many discover too late that their general liability policy contains exclusions they never noticed, leaving them exposed when they need protection most.

Why you need SML cover

Your organisation faces real risks that ordinary insurance doesn't address:

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The rules have changed

Liability policies now completely exclude sexual misconduct claims.


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Risks hide in plain sight

Most organisations don't realise their vulnerability until they're facing a claim.


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Clarity and confidence

With dedicated coverage, you know exactly where you stand.


Sexual Misconduct Liability coverage is designed to:

  • Provide financial protection for legal defense costs

  • Cover settlements and judgments related to allegations

  • Support affected parties with resources for healing

  • Help implement preventative measures and training

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Sectors we operate in

We work with organisations across various sectors:

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

Education and childcare

Religious institutions

Healthcare providers

Sports and recreation

Hospitality and leisure

Community services

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Partner with protection experts.

With decades of experience in this sensitive area, Lockton provides more than just insurance coverage. We offer:
Risk management consultation

Our team brings hard-earned expertise and cultivated relationships, giving you an edge that only comes with time and trust.


We have access to worldwide markets through Lockton's extensive network and maintain strong connections with Beazley and other key markets.

We develop innovative approaches to fit each client's unique situation.

From risk assessment to claims handling, we're with you every step of the way.

Our SML team

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Jessica Cullen

Head of US Casualty, London, UK
jessica.cullen@lockton.com
+44 743 518 4467

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James Pryke

P&C Specialty US Casualty Team Leader, London
james.pryke@lockton.com
+44 758 540 4886

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Raffe Hobson

Casualty Broker
raffe.hobson@lockton.com
+44 734 060 1705

Our Latest Sexual Molestation Liability Insights

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Addressing risks associated with sexual misconduct liability

Sexual Molestation Liability FAQ’s

Why do I need SML insurance?

SML insurance fills the gaps in liability policies that increasingly exclude sexual misconduct coverage or leave this area ambiguous.

Without dedicated SML cover:

  • You could discover you're unprotected only after facing a claim

  • Your organisation could be responsible for substantial defence costs and damages

  • You might lack access to crisis response resources when they're needed most

  • Your reputation and financial stability could be at serious risk

As sexual misconduct claims continue to rise across various sectors, having clear, dedicated coverage has become essential for responsible risk management.

There is no substantive difference between Sexual Molestation Liability (SML) insurance, Sexual Misconduct and Molestation Liability (SMML) insurance or Sexual Abuse and Molestation (SAM) insurance. These terms are used interchangeably in the insurance market to refer to the same type of coverage. All provide dedicated protection against claims involving sexual misconduct, abuse, or molestation.

The slight difference in terminology simply reflects different naming conventions used by various brokers and insurers, but the coverage provided addresses the same fundamental risks.

SML insurance is particularly important for organisations that:

  • Work with vulnerable populations

  • Have employees or volunteers in positions of trust

  • Operate in settings with potential one-on-one interactions

  • Specific sectors that should consider dedicated SML coverage include:

  • Education providers (schools, tutoring services, childcare facilities)

  • Religious organisations (churches, synagogues, mosques, religious schools)

  • Healthcare facilities (hospitals, clinics, care homes)

  • Sports and recreation providers (camps, clubs, youth programmes)

  • Hospitality businesses (hotels, resorts, leisure

  • Community services (charities, counselling services, youth organisations)

  • Any additional organisation where people are entrusted with the care or supervision of others should evaluate their need for dedicated SML coverage

SML insurance typically covers:

  • Legal defence costs for the organisation and covered individuals

  • Damages awarded in civil suits related to sexual misconduct

  • Settlement costs for covered claims

  • Risk management services

  • Crisis response management expenses

  • Public relations support following an incident

Coverage generally applies to allegations of sexual abuse, molestation, harassment, or misconduct committed by employees, volunteers, or, in some cases, third parties for whom your organisation may be held liable.

It's important to note that SML insurance protects the organisation and innocent parties—it never provides coverage for the actual perpetrator of abuse or misconduct.