Kidnapping is on the rise globally. And with most law enforcement agencies losing the battle against this scourge companies are finding it necessary to train their people to manage and survive a kidnapping ordeal.

“Risk managers must consider three key questions when assessing the kidnap risk a company faces,” says Wally Thom, Personal Accident Underwriter at Cre8, a division of Alexander Forbes, Cre8 (Pty) Limited. “Firstly, who are high risk individuals? Secondly, where are the greatest risks — and when are they likely to happen? And thirdly, who is likely to commit the kidnapping?”

While certain countries, like Colombia, Philippines, Russia and Mexico are well-known for kidnapping, no part of the world is immune to kidnap or extortion any more.

Threat to employees who travel globally

“And certainly, while this type of crime is not very widely practiced in South Africa it nevertheless presents a threat to the employees of South African companies who travel globally,” says Thom.

In a much publicised case in Nigeria a group of businessmen were kidnapped. They were taken on an eight hour boat ride deep into the Niger delta where it was impossible to track them down. Held for 19 days, they were fed on rice with limited access to water.

“The trauma of an incident like this for the victims, their families and their employers is immense. But things become even more traumatic, and can get out of hand, if the company does not know what to do and the kidnappers are not dealt with by experienced professionals,” says Thom.

Since in most cases ransom demands are sent to the kidnapped person’s employer with instructions not to contact the police, companies that purchase kidnap and ransom insurance are provided with the number of specialist response consultants.

“Response consultants guide organisations through the ordeal which, in most cases, results in a payment and the release of the kidnapped person,” says Thom.

The importance of having such cover, says Thom, is that, “The harrowing and life-threatening nature of a kidnap situation makes it difficult to make reasonable decisions — especially when the interests of the parties involved differ.”

The concerns of the family often clash with those of the victim's employer

Quite often the concerns of the family of the victim clash with the long-term interests of the victim’s employer.

In cases like this, immediate access to specialist security consultants with a proven track record in risk management is essential no matter where you are in the world.

While the specific policy details of either the kidnap, extortion, hijack and / or detention cover that your company may need might differ, benefits can include:

  • Access to a specialist crisis management company that will provide assistance and advice throughout an incident.

  • Reimbursement for any ransom paid following a kidnap or extortion demand.

  • Loss of ransom money in transit.

  • Expenses, including rewards, fees of independent negotiators, public relations, interpreters as well as travel and accommodation costs.

  • Psychiatric, medical and dental care costs.

  • Legal advice.

  • Payment of the salary of a detained or kidnapped person.

  • Payment of the salary for the temporary replacement of the kidnapped, detained or hijacked person.

  • Interest on loans.

  • Legal liability.

Most importantly, however, says Thom, “We encourage individuals and companies to take the necessary steps to prevent this sort of crisis in the first place.”

To this end many corporate kidnap, extortion, hijack and detention policies make 10 percent of a company’s annual premium available for the company to consult experts on the latest prevention and avoidance techniques.