Active Assailant Insurance Demand Has Risen
Organizations increasingly seek specialized coverage as standard general liability policies add new exclusions.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Terrorism
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Demand for active assailant insurance has risen 30% annually over the last four years, even as broader commercial premiums fell 1.2% in early 2026. Businesses are pursuing these policies as they face rising litigation costs and increased exposure to active shooter incidents.
Why it matters
Standard terrorism policies often exclude attacks lacking explicit political motives, leaving businesses vulnerable to high costs from negligent security lawsuits. Insurers have responded by shifting focus toward pre-attack prevention services.
The FBI recorded 34 active shooter incidents in 2025, with 41% of those events occurring at business locations. Insurers have begun implementing assault and battery exclusions to standard general liability policies, forcing companies to seek standalone active assailant coverage.
The players
MGM Resorts
The casino and hospitality company reached a settlement between $735 million and $800 million following the 2017 Las Vegas festival shooting.
Charlie Kirk
The political commentator was killed while speaking at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025.
FBI
The federal agency tracks and designates active shooter incidents within the United States.
The details
Rising interest in specialized coverage follows high-profile incidents like the 2017 Las Vegas shooting, which resulted in settlements between $735 million and $800 million. As a result, industry experts project the global active assailant premium market to grow from $1.35 billion in 2024 to $5.25 billion by 2033.
Timeline
The 2017 Las Vegas festival shooting resulted in massive industry settlements.
Charlie Kirk was killed while speaking at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025.
Commercial P&C premiums decreased by 1.2% during Q1 2026.
The federal backstop for terrorism insurance is set to expire on December 31, 2027.
Legal Context
The current insurance landscape follows the structure set by the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act federal backstop, which supports the broader commercial market. The upcoming expiration of this backstop in 2027 creates a significant pivot point for insurers and businesses that rely on the current framework.
Businesses are increasingly adopting stricter security protocols and purchasing specialized insurance to mitigate the financial risks associated with workplace violence. This shift may result in higher operational costs for companies, which can ultimately be reflected in the prices paid by the public for goods and services.
The takeaway
Businesses should review their general liability policies to understand the scope of new assault and battery exclusions. Evaluating specialized coverage options early can prevent significant financial exposure in the event of an active assailant incident.
What happens next
The federal backstop for terrorism insurance is currently scheduled to expire on December 31, 2027, a deadline that will likely influence future market underwriting and policy pricing for commercial entities.
Further reading
Learn more about evolving risk management strategies in our Terrorism section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Insurance Business.
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