Kidnap and Ransom Insurance for the Middle East Expatriate
Kidnap and ransom insurance is a critical “employee benefit” in the Middle East. The most popular destinations for expatriates in the Middle East include Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Turkey, Israel, Kuwait and because of the shear number of U.S. expatriate contractors there, Iraq. Countries with very few to no expatriates include Yemen, Oman, Afghanistan and because of the U.S. OFAC sanctions, Iran where generally only journalists are allowed into the country.
It’s amazing how many U.S. expatriates moving to the Middle East do so without spending time on the necessary due diligence regarding the safety of themselves and their families heading to Dubai, Jeddah, Jordan, and other areas in the Middle East. Most large U.S. multinationals will have some sort of kidnap and ransom insurance policy for expatriates moving to the Middle East. The irony is, the expatriates are not able to obtain any real tangible information about the kidnap and ransom insurance program that is provided to the expatriates by the multinational employer. If the expatriates are made aware of the details of the kidnap and ransom insurance plan provided to expatriates in the Middle East, in most cases it will void the policy and cancel the kidnap and ransom insurance.
Benefit Managers with expatriates in the Middle East are advised to say the following to their expatriates regarding kidnap and ransom insurance policies for those expatriates heading to the Middle East.
“…Due to security concerns and the advice of our international insurance companies, security vendors and consulting companies we are not allowed to give you the details of the security measures we have taken to protect you and your family while living in the Middle East. However, we can assure you the steps we have taken to provide for your security are above and beyond the best practices of those in our industry.”
Of course, expatriates heading to the Middle East, and worried about the kidnap and ransom insurance threat, and security in the region in general, should always be provided with an emergency number to call for ANY reason, if they feel they are being threatened in any way.
This 24 hour phone number for international security concerns would go to the international security consultant that would coordinate with the kidnap and ransom insurance company, or mobilize the resources necessary for a political evacuation or to combat extortion.
