How insurers are responding to rising political risks

Political unrest can result in property damage, business interruption (BI) and a loss of income for many businesses. Here, demonstrators march through Hong Kong in December 2019 to mark Human Rights Day and press for greater democracy in the city. (Kyle Lam/Bloomberg)

In our fast-changing world powered by social media, where a call to action around a common cause can be sent from one or a few smart devices to all corners of the earth in a matter of seconds, businesses are increasingly exposed to political risks of all types — from riots and civil unrest to strikes, and not forgetting, terrorism attacks, which can all cause severe disruption.

The past year alone has seen civil unrest in several global hotspots in South America, Hong Kong and France. These events highlight how easily protests can occur and how long they can last, resulting in property damage, business interruption (BI) and a loss of income for many businesses.