Kidnap and Ransom Insurance for Expatriate Workers in Africa

iTOO’s K&R insurance cover aims to reduce risky situations by providing protection from the financial consequences of a kidnapping and extortion.  iTOO’s specialized consultant has local African based consultants and together with iTOO, provide expert solutions tailored for the African continent. The core team has responded to more than 1,500 successful operations in over 80 Countries, with the management team a recognized leader in this discreet area of the security landscape.

When thinking about insurance, the last thing you might expect to need is coverage for kidnap and ransom. Kidnap and extortion have long been a feature of Africa’s challenging criminal environment – with some of the higher risk countries being Nigeria, Mozambique, Kenya, DRC, Angola and South Africa. It is also increasingly becoming an epidemic on a global scale. Even so, special risks such as these are a small subset of many companies’ concerns.

Kidnapping for ransom is a lucrative business for perpetrators and the shortest means to wealth by those involved in this crime, and as a result should be an important concern for companies, especially if they are operating in Africa and in unstable regions.

“K&R covers all employees of a company and their direct family members,” says iTOO MD, Justin Naylor. “If people are a company’s most important asset then that company should really purchase K&R insurance.”

As businesses continue to grow their global footprint or operations across continents, companies find themselves operating in many of the most volatile parts of the world. Which is why it is critical to ensure they have access to experts who are positioned to offer them the foremost technical expertise and service at the most critical times.

iTOO’s K&R insurance cover aims to reduce risky situations by providing protection from the financial consequences of a kidnapping and extortion.

“Our partnership with specialised consultant, enables us to provide in-country crisis response for kidnap related scenarios anywhere in the world with local negotiators who understand how to operate on the ground. Our consultants assist by advising the client how to secure the safe and timely release of hostages or detainees together with the removal of any threat and the safeguarding of people and assets.

“Our specialized consultant, has local African based consultants and together with iTOO, provide expert solutions tailored for the African continent,” says K&R expert, Catia Folgore. “The core team has responded to more than 1,500 successful operations in over 80 Countries, with the management team a recognized leader in this discreet area of the security landscape.”

With iTOO’s Kidnap and Ransom Cover you are covered for kidnapping, ransom, hijacking, home invasion, political and natural catastrophe evacuation, threats and more. This cover assures you of protection against financial loss in over 20 events, as well as direct access to the specialised consultant and On Call International as both your consultants and service providers.

“With over 20 events covered under our special contingency policy, you would have to ask yourself, why wouldn’t I take out this cover?” comments K&R expert, Catia Folgore.  “This policy provides coverage and peace of mind for so much more than just Kidnap and ransom.”

Corporate and Commercial Clients in most industries such as financial services, mining, telecoms, hotels, construction, media, professional services, retail, manufacturing in South Africa and particularly if they are travelling into Africa or high-risk countries, face an increased risk of kidnap or extortion threats. In this instance, our K&R policy can cover them for incidents such as:

• Workplace Violence
• Kidnapping
• Emergency Political or Natural disaster evacuation
• Terrorism 

Kidnap and Ransom Incidents:

In recent news, we have seen expatriate workers face multifaceted kidnapping threat, including:

• A mining company operating in a remote part of the Eastern Congo, where multiple personnel were taken hostage by heavily armed guerrilla fighters.  Our consultants provided a team on the ground at the mine site and at the company head office, where they gave continuous advice and support during the 3-month case.  All the hostages were released safely.

• Armed gang kidnapped 2 Chinese miners in Mbanga, a volatile area near the borders of Mali and Burkina Faso. After several weeks of negotiation, the militants released the workers.

 Armed men abducted and killed 11 coal miners in Mach, a small mining town in Baluchistan province.  The group carried out multiple attacks in Baluchistan to incite sectarian conflict between ethically mixed population.

Our consultants have attended to 356 number of kidnappings over the past 2 years in Africa alone – broken down by country as follows:

Every incident is different to the rest, but in the hands of skilled consultants, the expenses and costs of a Kidnap or Extortion situation are greatly reduced. Most importantly, the possibility of the victim surviving the ordeal will be greatly increased.

At iTOO we understand these potential hazards and together with an independent crisis consulting company and on call international. With retained consultants globally and one based in South Africa with extensive knowledge of Africa, we can arrange training and advice to assist in lowering travel risks, as well as advising on security issues, cultural factors and travel logistics.

Preparation and a robust prevention plan are essential, so you need to know Who is part of your crisis management team, Who will be dealing with the press and authorities and Who will be the spokesperson for the family. These and other questions will be found in your crisis management plan developed and assisted by our specialised consultant.