MARKETING MATERIAL
Malicious Assailant Risk: How the Insurance Market is Responding
Protecting people, assets and operations in an evolving threat landscape.
Malicious assailant risk has evolved from a security concern into a full-scale enterprise risk. This shift – and what it means for organisations’ insurance needs – was the focus of a recent Talbot and AIG event held for brokers during London Risk Week.
Three key themes were identified:
1. The Evolving Threat
The risk nature of malicious assailant incidents has changed significantly. From the profile of attackers to the range of weapons used, and unclear attribution across multiple jurisdictions, clients may be uncertain about whether traditional terrorism coverage will respond.
“These incidents are no longer simply security issues,” said George Barratt, Senior Class Underwriter, Political Violence at Talbot. “They are strategic risks, with operational consequences that can extend well beyond the immediate incident.”
2. Regulatory Shifts Add Urgency
In the US, several states have proposed or enacted workplace violence prevention legislation under which businesses must develop plans and procedures to mitigate the risk of violence to their employees. And globally, other countries have also taken up the issue, including in the UK, which requires operators of publicly accessible premises and events to take steps to prepare for and mitigate the potential impact of terrorist attacks.
For directors and officers, the question is no longer whether their organisations should act, but how quickly and effectively they can respond.
3. Coverage That Has Kept Pace
The insurance market has responded. Leading policies now include pre-incident support – such as threat assessments and crisis preparedness exercises – not just post-event recovery. Wordings have shifted toward more act-based triggers rather than requiring a clearly attributed motive, giving clients and brokers greater clarity and confidence. Growing capacity, including through consortium approaches, is enabling more complex risks to be placed at higher limits.
As one of the original war and terror syndicates and the leader of a specially formed consortium at Lloyd’s, Talbot brings deep market expertise to malicious assailant insurance. Talbot’s malicious assailant insurance policy was designed to complement conventional terrorism cover – providing affirmative, act-based protection that addresses a range of potential loss scenarios. Policyholders also receive access to Crisis24, a leading global crisis response consultancy, ensuring support before, during and after an incident.
Emma Woolley, Chief Executive Officer of Talbot, delivers the welcome address at a Talbot and AIG broker event on malicious assailant risk during London Risk Week in May 2026.
"At Talbot, we do not see our role as simply providing capacity after an event," said Emma Woolley, Chief Executive Officer of Talbot. "If we are serious about delivering value, our solutions need to reflect how clients could experience loss – across people, assets and operations."
To explore how this policy fits into your organisation's broader crisis management or terrorism insurance portfolio, please contact us.
This marketing material is intended for insurance brokers and other insurance professionals for their information. For full terms, conditions and benefits related to AIG products, please refer to the policy and associated documents.
This material is communicated for information purposes only and is not legally binding. This material does not constitute an offer to sell any of the insurance coverage or other products or services described herein. We do not provide legal, credit, tax, accounting or other professional advice, and you and your advisors should perform your own independent review with respect to such matters as they relate to your particular circumstances and reach your own independent conclusions regarding the benefits and risks of any proposed transaction or business relationship.
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