Kidnap, Ransom & Extortion Insurance
Expert Crisis Support When It Matters Most
Kidnap, threats and extortion are rare, but for families, executives and companies working in higher-risk places, the consequences are severe. Kidnap, ransom and extortion insurance is chiefly a crisis-management product: it gives immediate access to independent specialist consultants who advise you and work alongside the authorities, and it meets many of the costs that follow an incident. In India the cover is available from a limited number of insurers and is arranged discreetly. MILES handles each enquiry in confidence.
What The Cover Typically Includes
Crisis Response Consultants
Round-the-clock access to independent specialists who advise the family or company and support the authorities.
Kidnap And Detention
Response to kidnap, wrongful detention and hijack of insured persons, as defined in the policy wording.
Extortion Threats
Advice and support when threats are made against people, property or systems, including many cyber extortion scenarios.
Related Costs
Consultant fees, travel, temporary staff, lost salary and other incident costs as the policy defines them.
Aftercare And Recovery
Medical, psychiatric and rehabilitation costs for victims and their families after an incident is resolved.
Confidential By Design
Policies usually require the cover itself to be kept confidential, to avoid making insured persons a target.
What is kidnap, ransom and extortion insurance?
Kidnap, ransom and extortion insurance, often called K&R, is a specialist policy that gives an individual, family or company immediate access to professional crisis-response consultants and reimburses defined costs arising from a kidnap, wrongful detention or extortion threat. Its real value lies in expert guidance during an extremely stressful event, not in money alone.
It sits within our specialty and other insurance range. In India, only a limited number of insurers offer this cover, and it is placed quietly, often as part of a wider programme for executives who travel or families with a high public profile.
The central role of crisis-response consultants
Every reputable K&R policy is built around a retained, independent crisis-response firm. Their consultants are typically former police, military or security professionals with experience of such incidents. When a policyholder calls, they:
- Help the family or company form a small, calm crisis-management team.
- Advise on communication, decision-making and how to work with the police and other authorities.
- Support the welfare of the family and colleagues throughout the incident.
- Help with safe return, medical care and aftercare once the situation is resolved.
These consultants act in an advisory role and cooperate with law enforcement. Kidnap and extortion are serious crimes under Indian law, and the first step in any incident is to involve the authorities, guided by the consultants’ advice.
What is typically covered
Scope varies considerably by insurer and wording, and cover is agreed case by case. Policies commonly include:
- Fees and expenses of the crisis-response consultants.
- Kidnap, wrongful detention, hijack and threat events affecting insured persons.
- Extortion threats against people, property or, with many insurers, computer systems.
- Travel and accommodation costs for family members and the crisis team.
- Salary continuation for a detained employee and cost of temporary replacements.
- Medical, psychological and rehabilitation care afterwards.
- Legal liability and defence costs connected to the incident, where included.
Some wordings also reimburse certain monies lost in the course of an event, but only within strict legal conditions and never where doing so would breach applicable law. This feature is not the purpose of the product, and we do not present it as one.
What is not covered
- Events in countries or regions excluded by the policy or subject to sanctions.
- Incidents arranged or involving the insured person or policyholder.
- Any payment or act that would breach Indian or other applicable law.
- Incidents that began before the policy started.
- Losses where the confidentiality condition was broken, with many insurers.
Who needs it
Companies sending staff to higher-risk countries or remote project sites, mining and infrastructure firms, NGOs working in unstable areas, media organisations, and HNI families and family offices with a visible public profile. It is often combined with a group and corporate travel insurance programme and security travel briefings.
How the premium is decided
- Number and profile of insured persons.
- Countries of residence, travel and operation.
- Existing security measures and travel protocols.
- Limits chosen for each section of cover.
- Any past incidents or threats.
How MILES helps
- Handle enquiries discreetly. We limit who in our team knows about the placement and share details only with the insurer.
- Explain the wording. We walk you through definitions, territorial scope and the role of the response firm.
- Compare available insurers. We identify which insurers offer the cover in India and on what terms.
- Coordinate with other covers. We align K&R with travel, cyber and liability policies so gaps and overlaps are clear.
- Stand by at claim time. Our claims team helps with documentation after the consultants’ work is complete.
What we need for a quote
- Who is to be covered, by role or relationship, not necessarily by name at first.
- Countries of residence and travel over the next year.
- Current security arrangements and travel policies.
- Any previous threats or incidents.
Cover, exclusions and premiums depend on the insurer’s policy wording and underwriting. MILES Insurance Brokers Pvt. Ltd. is an IRDAI-licensed direct broker (Life & General, Reg. No. 954); the insurance is issued by the insurer. Insurance is the subject matter of solicitation.