As Shootings Targeting Politicians Continue, US "Active Shooter Insurance" Market Expands

Anxiety Spreads Following Incidents Like the Trump Dinner Shooting
Demand Expands from Schools and Hospitals to Politics and Business
Market Size Reaches $100 Million, Doubling in Four Years

As incidents of shootings targeting politicians continue to occur in the United States, the demand for so-called "active shooter insurance" is also rapidly increasing.

On the 25th (local time), a shooting incident occurred during the White House press corps dinner held at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington D.C., USA, and U.S. President Donald Trump is being urgently evacuated. Photo by Reuters and Yonhap News

According to Yonhap News on the 3rd (local time), citing the Financial Times (FT), attacks targeting politicians and business figures in the U.S. have been rising, leading to an expansion of the active shooter insurance market, which previously remained a niche segment.

According to the industry, the market for active shooter insurance and related products is estimated to be about USD 100 million (approximately KRW 14.7 billion) in annual premiums, having doubled in size since 2020. Active shooter insurance provides protection not only against financial losses resulting from shooting incidents but also covers legal response costs and reputational damage.

This type of insurance was developed in the 2010s, initially targeting facilities with a high risk of exposure to shootings, such as schools, hospitals, and public institutions. Some companies also subscribed to protect their buildings and assets. However, with the recent surge in shootings motivated by political reasons, demand is spreading to the political sector and related groups.

Julian Barrow, CEO of UK insurance broker Blackstone, analyzed that shooting incidents associated with U.S. President Donald Trump have triggered heightened anxiety. He stated, "There are shootings at American schools every day, but that does not lead to a surge in interest in shooter insurance. Instead, incidents such as the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner attract public attention."

Peter Bransdon, Head of Crisis Management for the United States at insurance broker WTW, also reported that as attacks targeting prominent individuals continue, interest in active shooter insurance is expanding across the broader U.S. business community.

There have also been actual cases. After Charlie Kirk, a conservative youth activist, was shot during a university event in Utah in September last year, the state of Utah purchased related insurance to prepare for potential shooting damages at state government buildings and universities. It is reported that Utah pays several hundred thousand dollars annually in premiums.

Recently, political organizations such as Super PACs (special political action committees) that raise election funds have emerged as new customers. It was also reported that during the 2024 U.S. presidential election, a candidate's campaign considered subscribing to shooter insurance but ultimately decided to postpone.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.