As one of the world’s leading independent providers of kidnap and ransom insurance, Lockton has the resources and expertise required to deliver informed and effective solutions that safeguards your family, employees or business from criminal activity.
Specialist, targeted cover
As one of the world’s leading independent providers of kidnap and ransom insurance, Lockton has the resources and expertise to deliver informed and effective solutions that safeguard your family, employees, or business from the fallout of kidnap, ransom, special crime, and extortion.
Kidnap and ransom insurance not only covers abduction through to unlawful detention, it extends to extortion against property – covering reimbursement of ransom, business interruption, PR costs, aftercare to victims and beyond. Many of these events cross international borders, which is why Lockton’s dedicated, experienced kidnap and ransom team operates seamlessly worldwide.
Crucially, our policies provide direct, 24-hour access to highly-trained crisis consultants, who will respond immediately in the event of an incident. These consultants have extensive backgrounds in hostage negotiation from various organisations, including Special Forces and international security services, and are well-equipped to handle special crime situations.
We have access to exclusive insurers and will ensure that you are provided with the most appropriate, responsive cover at all times. Client confidentiality is an absolute priority to our team, and should you need to make a claim, our experienced consultants will work with you to resolve this as quickly and seamlessly as possible.
Our Services
What we cover
Kidnap for ransom
Extortion
Special Crime
Detention
Hijack
Loss of ransom during transit
Legal liability
Additional expenses
Personal accident
Unlimited expenses of crisis response consultant
Maritime Piracy
Pre-incident training and prepardeness
Other available policy extensions
Emergency political repatriation and relocation
Loss of earnings
Threat expenses
Hostage crisis
Disappearance investigation
Express kidnap
Child abduction
Assault
Product loss extortion
Stalking
Blackmail
Cyber Extortion Response Consultant Fees and Expenses
Crisis Management Response
Piracy Boarding
Crisis management response
As soon as an incident occurs, your crisis response consultants will act immediately to co-ordinate any response to an insured event. In the event of a kidnap, deploying consultants where necessary to the headquarters and in country at the kidnap location. at least one consultant to the kidnap location and one to the head office HQ. These highly trained responders will be there to advise you throughout the incident process – no matter how long it takes. Their expertise is crucial for effectively managing special crime situations.
Pre-incident Training
Our policies include a risk mitigation allowance bursary for clients to use towards pre-incident training and preparedness. From Crisis Management plan reviews to travel security briefings, simulated incidents, and desktop exercises, the response consultants can tailor training to clients’ specific needs, helping prepare for the potential risks associated with special crime.
Crisis Management Solutions
Discover more about how Lockton's experienced team can help you react immediately and effectively in the event of a crisis.
Looking for Specialty solutions?
Lockton Specialty London is a globally connected team of insurance experts extensively covering a diverse range of product lines and industry sectors. We provide flexible, bespoke solutions tailored to the needs of your client.
Specialty pageOur latest Kidnap & Ransom insights
Our Kidnap & Ransom Team
Helen Sandford
Vice President, Head of Special Crime (Kidnap and Ransom)
helen.sandford@lockton.com
+44 20 7933 2346
Charlie Tear
Broker, Special Crime
charlie.tear@lockton.com
+44 799 071 5681
Get in touch
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We bring creative thinking and an entrepreneurial spirit to the insurance business and are uniquely positioned to help you succeed.
Talk to our teamKidnap and Ransom Insurance FAQs
How does Kidnap & Ransom insurance work?
Kidnap & Ransom insurance steps in when a special crime event—like kidnapping or extortion—occurs. You’ll have access to expert crisis teams who handle negotiations and logistics. The policy can cover ransom payments, lost income, travel and legal costs, and more. It’s typically kept confidential to help reduce the chance of being targeted.
Who can get Kidnap & Ransom cover?
K&R cover is available for individuals and organisations who could be exposed to special crime risks. This includes directors & officers, journalists, NGOs, aid workers, high-net-worth individuals, and families travelling to higher-risk areas. Lockton offers policies which can be tailored to suit your specific situation and level of exposure.
Does Travel insurance cover abduction?
Standard travel insurance doesn’t usually cover special crime events like abduction or kidnapping. These serious risks require dedicated Kidnap & Ransom insurance, which is specifically designed to deal with incidents such as hostage situations or extortion, especially in higher-risk regions and for high-net-worth individuals.
Do I need Kidnap & Ransom insurance for business travel?
If your business travel involves visiting regions with a higher risk of special crime—such as kidnapping, extortion, or detention—then Kidnap & Ransom insurance is highly recommended. It’s designed to protect employees and organisations from serious threats abroad, providing both financial cover and expert crisis support. Even if incidents are unlikely, having a K&R policy in place can offer crucial peace of mind and show that your business takes duty of care seriously.