Marine and political risk insurance
Kidnap and ransom insurance for companies
What corporate kidnap and ransom insurance covers, where kidnap risk to staff is highest in 2026 and how it fits with a duty of care program.
Guide
Marine and political risk insuranceLast updated
3 minute read
By Zed Three analysts
Short answer
Kidnap and ransom insurance reimburses a company for ransom, extortion and related costs if an employee is kidnapped or threatened, and pays for specialist crisis response consultants. Companies with staff in high risk countries buy it as part of a wider duty of care program, and the existence of cover is usually kept confidential.
Last updated
What a policy covers
Ransom and extortion payments, loss of the ransom in transit, crisis response consultants, legal and medical costs and lost salary. Many policies also respond to wrongful detention, express kidnap, virtual kidnap and threats against property or products.
Where kidnap risk is highest in 2026
Nigeria remains the most acute mass kidnapping environment, with activity spreading beyond the northwest into north central and parts of southern Nigeria. In Mexico, express, in vehicle and virtual kidnaps are the main threats in major cities and cartel active states. Militant linked abductions are a persistent risk in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, especially along transport corridors and remote sites.
Insurance is not a security plan
The policy pays after the event. Prevention depends on country risk briefings, journey management, vetted drivers, low profile travel and a tested crisis plan.
What happens next?
We assess it is likely that kidnap for ransom incidents in Nigeria remain at or above 2025 levels through mid 2027.
We assess it is likely that abductions of foreign nationals in the central Sahel continue at current rates over the next 6 months.
Likelihood ranges are Zed Three editorial judgments as of Nov 2, 2026, not advice.
Free industry newsletter
Get Chokepoint free
The free industry newsletter going to 100K+ industry experts. The five stories that move markets, supply chains and deals, each with the so what worked out, every weekday morning.
Related country risk assessments
Frequently asked questions
Is kidnap and ransom insurance legal?
In most jurisdictions, yes, though rules on paying ransoms vary and payments to sanctioned or terrorist groups are prohibited in many countries.
Why are kidnap and ransom policies confidential?
Disclosure could make insured staff a target, so most policies require that cover is not revealed.
Which countries have the highest kidnap risk for business staff?
In 2026, Nigeria, Mexico and the central Sahel countries of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger are among the highest risk.
Related guides
Free custom sample
Get a free sample threat report on marine and political risk insurance
Tell us your routes, suppliers or sites and Zed Three will build a custom sample threat report around them.