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What You Need to Know
When considering insurance for your personal needs, the last thing you might expect to need is coverage for kidnaping and ransom payments. However, kidnapping crimes are actually on the rise and high-profile celebrities aren’t the only ones at risk of kidnapping for extortion.
The most common cases involve folks who have substantial assets. Kidnap and ransom insurance is a type of coverage to strongly consider for these families and individuals. Smart technology has made it easier for nefarious actors to steal, sell and share your personal information.
One example is virtual kidnapping — a scam that has all the trappings of an actual kidnapping but is faked. Virtual kidnappers contact their targets by phone and claim they’ve kidnapped a family member. The kidnappers use personal information (found on social media and other online resources). AI can generate life-like images and voices that are impressive. Criminals use what’s called a deepfake to scare the target into paying their ransom demands. The FBI most recently released a PSA regarding this to warn the public.
Before the victims realize the kidnapping was faked, the virtual kidnappers disappear with the money. No one gets physically hurt, but the emotional trauma is long-lasting and the financial loss is real.
Insurance Can Help
It’s important to act quickly and rationally when faced with a threatening event. Having a team of experienced professionals to rely on is paramount. Kidnap, ransom and extortion insurance for individuals can’t prevent a kidnapping, but it can help with the following:
Professional negotiators
Security teams
Special investigators
Ransom reimbursements
Lawyers
Forensic analysts
Media consultants
Political and cultural consultants (to help navigate the local customs)
Psychiatric and aftercare support services
Preventive response measures (crisis training and security risk analysis)
Of course, exclusions may apply in known high-risk areas or when the government issues “do not travel” bans.
Before you travel internationally
Educate yourself and travel smart to reduce your risk of becoming a target:
Sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive U.S. embassy alerts.
Check with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and your destination country’s border protection agency about prohibited and restricted items to ensure everything you’re packing is legal to import.
Check the latest travel advisories or use the color-coded travel risk world map.
Learn about your destination country on the State Department’s website.
Read about travelers with special considerations.
Add kidnap, ransom and extortion coverage to your travel insurance policy.
Work With a Trusted Choice® Insurance Agent
Make it a priority to safeguard yourself, your family and your business. Contact V.F. McNeil Insurance today to learn more about kidnap, ransom and extortion insurance.