From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Political risk insurance is a type of insurance that can be taken out by businesses, of any size, having operations in countries in which there is a risk that revolution or other political conditions will result in a loss.

Political risk insurance is available for several different types of political risk, including (among others):

• Political violence, such as revolution, insurrection, civil unrest, terrorism or war;
• Governmental expropriation or confiscation of assets;
• Governmental frustration or repudiation of contracts;
• Wrongful calling of letters of credit or similar on-demand guarantees; and
• Inconvertibility of foreign currency or the inability to repatriate funds.

As with any insurance, the precise scope of coverage is governed by the terms of the insurance policy.

The underwriting of political risk insurance is a dynamic, growing business. As globalisation increases, there are more corporations doing more business in more places around the world with each passing year. Some of the changes occurring in the business are high growth, new product offerings, and a greater role for private capital.^[1],[2]

While political risk insurance policies are sometimes manuscripted for specific situations, the major political risk insurers have standard forms for the coverages that they issue.

1. ^ Mishra, K.C.. "For political risk, insurance isn’t all", Rustomjee, Diligent Media Corporation, May 5, 2006. Retrieved on July 17, 2006.
2. ^ Kambayashi, Satoshi. "Of coups and coverage: Political turmoil is costly. Unless you are fully insured.", The Economist, April 04, 2007. Retrieved on April 8, 2007. (in English)

• World Bank's Political Risk Insurance Center
• Daniel Wagner. "Political Risk Insurance in Asia: Who Purchases It, Where, and Why", International Risk Management Institute, July 2002. Retrieved on July 17, 2006.