Conflict Zone Insurance – Insurance for Group

Frontline Compassion: How Checkpoint Zoo Proved That People, Not Cameras, Are What Matter Most

pembards — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 08:23:51 +0000

Checkpoint Zoo. Film making under fire needs specialist insurance…

In the first chaotic months of the Russian–Ukrainian war, Kharkiv—Ukraine’s second-largest city—was transformed into a battlefield. Between the advancing Russian forces and the Ukrainian defenders lay Feldman Ecopark, a sprawling animal sanctuary. For years, the park had provided not only a home to exotic and rescued animals, but also therapy programmes for veterans living with PTSD, children with special needs, and vulnerable members of the community.

When shelling intensified, the keepers realised courage alone would not be enough to save the thousands of animals still inside. Together with four young volunteers, they embarked on an extraordinary 71-day rescue, moving over 5,000 animals—including lions, tigers, and other predators—through active conflict to safety.

Producer-supported by luminaries—including Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Davisson—the film won global acclaim, with critics calling it “beautiful and beyond moving.”

A Filmmaker Drawn to a Story of Humanity

Award-winning documentary director Joshua Zeman, known for Cropsey and The Loneliest Whale, was compelled by this account of compassion under fire. Using frontline and zookeeper-shot footage, he captured not just the peril, but the resolve and humanity at the heart of the mission—illuminating the best of what people are capable of in the very worst of circumstances.

Producers Zachary Mortensen, Ian Davies, and Torquil Jones brought their own decades of storytelling expertise, shaping the raw material into a gripping, deeply human narrative.

“This is a film about the victims of war who are usually not seen.” — Joshua Zeman

Festival Accolades: Recognition That Echoes Beyond Screens

Since its Tribeca Film Festival premiere in June 2024—where it was nominated for Best Documentary Feature and took 2nd place in the Audience Award—Checkpoint Zoo has continued to receive acclaim:

Zelda Penzel “Giving Voice to the Voiceless” Award — Hamptons International Film Festival 2024
Documentary Achievement Jury Award — Miami Film Festival 2025
Desert Views Award and Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature — Palm Springs International Film Festival 2025
Audience Favorite (Documentary) — Mill Valley Film Festival 2025

Coverage Built for People, Not Gear

The risks faced by the Checkpoint Zoo crew were very real: travelling through unstable areas, working under threat of shelling, and operating in conditions with limited medical access. Our role was to provide the cover that keeps people safe, no matter how unpredictable the environment:

Personal Accident Insurance — financial protection for injury or loss of life on assignment.
Life Insurance — reassurance for families and dependants.
Kidnap & Ransom (K&R) — expert-led support if team members are threatened or abducted.
Emergency Medical Evacuation & Repatriation — ensuring injured or ill personnel receive timely care and transport to safety.

Why Media Professionals Choose Us

Standard travel insurance often excludes cover in war zones or high-risk areas—precisely the places where essential stories are found. Our policies are built to respond where others will not, with no hidden conflict-zone exclusions and a focus on protecting the people who do the work.

“We protect the people who tell the stories the world needs to hear.”

Protecting the Storytellers

Documentaries like Checkpoint Zoo show us that courage isn’t just on the battlefield—it’s also behind the lens, in the volunteers’ vans, and in the hands of those who choose to help. If your next project takes you into unpredictable territory, let’s ensure your crew is personally protected.

FInd out more or get an immediate quote today — insuranceforthemedia.com

Find out more about this Film, screenings, the crew and backstory.

Gaza 2025: Journalism Under Fire—The Deadliest Conflict for Reporters in Modern History

pembards — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 16:26:08 +0000

Gaza: The Deadliest Conflict for Journalists in Modern History

As of August 2025, multiple authoritative monitors record an unprecedented toll on journalists and media workers in Gaza. This article summarises what we know, why it matters to media professionals and commissioners, and how to plan safer assignments when standard insurance excludes war.

Executive summary

Independent research from Brown University’s Costs of War project states that the Gaza conflict has resulted in the highest number of journalist deaths recorded in any single conflict since modern record-keeping began. As of late March 2025 the report cites at least 232 journalists and media workers killed since 7 October 2023, with subsequent tallies from press freedom organisations and maintained name lists indicating the number has continued to climb through 2025.

Our view – Whatever one’s politics, the data demand practical action. Commissioners and editors must plan for hostile-environment realities: explicit war cover, 24/7 assistance that actually operates in theatre, equal protection for local journalists and fixers, and pre-agreed evacuation pathways.

1. The scale of loss

Numbers vary with cut-off dates and definitions, but the direction is consistent across credible monitors. Brown University’s The Reporting Graveyard (April 2025) synthesises historical baselines and conflict comparisons. CPJ, RSF and other monitors have repeatedly described the Israel–Gaza war as the deadliest conflict for journalists in their records.

Table 1 – Journalist deaths by conflict (verified baselines, best-available ranges)

Counts reflect available documentation and may differ by source methodology. Always check the “as of” date on cited sources.

Conflict	Deaths	Time period	Primary source
Gaza (Israel–Gaza war)	232+ by late Mar 2025; rising through 2025	Oct 2023 – Aug 2025	Brown University Costs of War, RSF, Al Jazeera maintained list
World Wars I and II (combined)	c. 69	1914 – 1945	Brown University Costs of War
Vietnam War	c. 63 – 71	1955 – 1975	CPJ historical analysis
Korean War	Single digits to low teens	1950 – 1953	Historical archives referenced in Brown
Yugoslav Wars	c. 11 during major hostilities	1990s	Contemporary press tallies referenced by Brown
Afghanistan (post-9/11)	c. 80+	2001 – 2021	UNESCO monitoring, CPJ

Our view – A single conflict exceeding the combined toll of multiple world wars and decades of fighting is not a statistical quirk. It signals a structural collapse in journalist safety in that theatre.

2. Who is most at risk

The overwhelming majority of the dead are Palestinian journalists and media workers. Local reporters carry the heaviest risk burden: they live in the conflict zone, have fewer evacuation options, and often work as freelancers or fixers without the institutional protections of major newsrooms.

Local casualties dominate – name lists show most victims are residents of Gaza working for local or international outlets.
Freelancers and fixers – frequently first on scene, often with minimal safety nets.
On-assignment deaths – many were killed while reporting, filming or travelling between locations.

Our view – Duty of care must extend equally to local hires and freelancers. Commissioning budgets should account for hostile environment training, insurance that explicitly includes war and civil unrest, and real evacuation options for all team members.

3. Targeting, access and constraints

Multiple investigations and case files describe journalists being killed while clearly identified as press – wearing marked vests, operating near media tents or travelling in vehicles labelled PRESS. Alongside this are restrictions on foreign media entry, repeatedly cutting off outside scrutiny and placing the full burden of coverage on local journalists.

Table 2 – Injury and targeting indicators in Gaza

Indicator	Figure	As of date	Source
Journalists injured	c. 380	Jan 2025	Palestinian Journalists Syndicate, referenced by independent reporting
Documented targeting incidents	Multiple case reports	2023 – 2025	Casework compiled by Brown University, CPJ and newsroom investigations
Press facility and equipment destruction	Multiple incidents	2023 – 2025	RSF incident reporting and media investigations
Foreign media access to Gaza	Severely restricted	2023 – 2025	RSF statements and coverage by international media

Our view – Targeting patterns plus access bans create an environment where safety, verification and continuity of coverage depend on pre-arranged support. This is where specialist insurance and 24/7 operators make the practical difference between a manageable emergency and a tragedy.

4. Impact on press freedom

Fatalities do not tell the whole story. Sustained psychological trauma, the destruction of equipment and facilities, and repeated communications blackouts all degrade the ability to report. The result is a chilling effect on documentation just when credible reporting is most needed.

Trauma and fatigue – journalists in Gaza document events while experiencing personal loss in real time.
Operational attrition – loss of cameras, transmitters and vehicles raises costs and delays coverage.
Blackouts – connectivity interruptions isolate reporters from editors, sources and audiences.

5. Duty of care and insurance that actually works

Standard travel policies typically exclude war, terrorism and civil unrest. In practical terms, that means many journalists discover at the point of claim that their policy does not respond to the event they faced. Specialist cover is different – it is designed for these realities and integrates with crisis response partners who operate 24/7.

What good cover looks like in conflict zones

War and civil unrest included – no blanket exclusions for the very risks you face.
Medical and security evacuation – documented pathways to extract teams when conditions deteriorate.
Accidental death and disability – financial protection for families and dependants.
24/7 assistance – operators with real in-theatre capability, not voicemail.
Support for local hires – parity of protection for fixers and freelancers.

Learn more about our specialist media cover and support:

insuranceforthemedia.com – insurance for newsrooms, crews and freelancers operating globally
Insurance for work and travel in Israel, Gaza and Palestine – background, guidance and enquiry route
Contact us – talk to a specialist
Get a quote – fast turnaround for urgent deployments

Our view – The most common gap we see is hidden in exclusions. If a policy markets itself to journalists but excludes war and civil unrest, it is unlikely to respond when you need it most. Ask about war inclusion, response partners, and real case experience in your intended location.

6. Impunity and accountability

UNESCO’s monitoring shows that the global impunity rate for killings of journalists remains stubbornly high – typically in the 80 to 90 percent range. Where impunity persists, risk rises. Calls for independent investigations into specific killings in Gaza continue, but progress has been limited.

Table 3 – Global press freedom risk indicators

Indicator	Latest figure	Scope	Source
Global impunity rate for journalist killings	c. 80 – 90%	Long-run average	UNESCO Observatory
Israel–Gaza described as deadliest conflict for journalists since records began	Confirmed phrasing by multiple monitors	Conflict-specific	CPJ, Brown University, RSF
Foreign press access to Gaza	Severely restricted	Conflict-specific	RSF, international media statements

What to do next

If you commission or support journalism in conflict zones, take these steps before deployment:

Confirm in writing that your insurance includes war, terrorism and civil unrest – and verify claim triggers.
Ensure 24/7 medical and security evacuation are in place and tested with a pre-deployment call.
Extend protections to local hires and freelancers at parity with staff correspondents.
Agree communications and blackout protocols with clear check-in windows and fallbacks.
Arrange hostile environment training and psychological support pathways.

Get a specialist quote or speak with our team about cover that works where others exclude.

FAQs

Does standard travel insurance cover journalists in war zones?

Usually not. Many policies exclude war, terrorism and civil unrest. Specialist cover that explicitly includes these risks is required for assignments in conflict zones.

Can local fixers and freelancers be insured on the same terms as staff correspondents?

Yes. We arrange cover that extends parity of protection to local hires and freelancers, including evacuation, accidental death and disability, and 24/7 assistance.

Do you support emergency evacuation from restricted or denied-access areas?

We partner with experienced operators who conduct medical and security evacuations worldwide, subject to on-the-ground conditions. Pre-deployment planning is essential to improve feasibility.

How Conflict Is Redrawing the World’s Airspace – And Why It Matters for Travellers, NGOs, and Media Teams

pembards — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 16:41:17 +0000

Ongoing conflicts in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Asia have fundamentally reshaped air travel. For NGOs, journalists, consultants, and humanitarian teams flying to high-risk areas, the skies are no longer just a mode of transport—they’re a strategic risk zone.

From airspace closures to GPS interference and rising insurance exclusions, the way we fly is being remapped by war.

1. Widespread Airspace Closures and Flight Rerouting

Airspace is now one of the first casualties in an active conflict. When missiles fly, countries shut down their skies.

Middle East (June–July 2025): Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, and Qatar closed airspace following regional escalation. Flights between Europe, Asia and Australia rerouted via Saudi Arabia or Egypt, causing long delays and higher costs.
Pakistan-India tensions (May–July 2025): Airspace was fully closed, affecting carriers across Asia and the Middle East.
Russia-Ukraine war: Ongoing since 2022, forcing long-haul flights over the Arctic or Central Asia, adding hours and massive fuel costs.

These diversions ripple across continents, affecting costs, logistics and crew safety.

2. Real-World Impact: Safety and Cost Pressures

Rerouted flights may:

Burn more fuel → higher CO₂ emissions and ticket prices
Require unscheduled refuelling stops
Reduce viable emergency landing options
Disrupt supply chains and crew rotations

For those travelling to or working in hostile or post-conflict zones, the risks are not just in the destination—they start mid-air.

3. Heightened Flight Safety Risks

Flying near conflict zones creates unique hazards:

Shootdown Risk: Civilians have been misidentified and hit before.
GPS jamming/spoofing: Threatens in-flight navigation.
No safe diversion airports: Fewer rerouting options in an emergency.

Airlines may avoid conflict zones, but missions to hostile areas often require regional access, putting NGO workers, reporters, and consultants on regional carriers flying close to—or over—volatile terrain.

4. Who’s Affected?

Journalists flying to cover breaking news (see: Media Cover Options)
NGOs delivering aid or medical supplies (NGO Travel Insurance)
Consultants, engineers or election observers heading to unstable zones (Group Personal Accident)
Faith-based or peace-building groups (Cover for Groups)

Airspace disruption affects access, safety, and cost. That’s why specialist insurance is no longer optional—it’s essential.

5. Why Standard Travel Insurance Doesn’t Cut It

Most travel insurance:

Excludes countries on FCDO or US State Department advisory lists
Doesn’t cover flights rerouted or delayed due to conflict
Won’t pay out if a claim relates to acts of war, unrest or terrorism
Lacks 24/7 crisis evacuation or medical extraction support

That means your mission can be grounded—or your people left behind.

With insuranceforgroup.com, you get:

Short-term and annual specialist cover
Medical and security evacuation, even in war zones
Policies that support complex, multi-country logistics
Rapid quote turnaround and real human support

Explore our 3 core insurance products:

Individual High-Risk Cover
Group Schemes (short or annual)
Frequent Traveller / Rotational Cover

6. What You Can Do

If your mission or reporting takes you near or through volatile regions:

Monitor NOTAMs and Safe Airspace bulletins (safeairspace.net)
Choose regional carriers with proven risk protocols
Build contingency time into travel plans
Ensure your insurance includes war zone protection

Need help figuring out the right policy?

Final Word: The Skies Are Still Open — But Not Like Before

You might not think of airspace as a battlefield. But in today’s world, it is.

Whether you’re flying aid into South Sudan or filming from the edge of Gaza, conflict now reshapes everything—even the air above.

We help you adapt, stay covered, and complete your mission.

Visit insuranceforgroup.com and protect the people you rely on before wheels are even off the ground.

Resources for Air Travel in Conflict Zones:

We witnessed colleagues left helpless because their insurance refused coverage.

Martin Fisher — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 19:25:21 +0000

Yes, I’ve seen it happen...
Let me put you there with me, in the field: We’re in a country where things have just blown up. There’s shelling in the streets, and you’re trying to get your head around what’s left of the safety protocols. Suddenly, a colleague—let’s call him Tom—gets hit. Not by a stray bullet, but by something far less cinematic: a collapsed ceiling, a wrecked car, a bad fall running for cover. Tom’s in agony, and the local clinic is overwhelmed, under-resourced.

He needs out, fast.

We go through the motions: call the insurance company. We’ve all got that card in our wallets, the one that’s supposed to be our lifeline. But when we describe the situation—the war zone, the collapsing infrastructure, the fact that Tom is a journalist, not a tourist—there’s a pause. Then, the words that cut like a knife: “I’m sorry, but your policy doesn’t cover this type of incident.” The reason? The area is “too high risk.” The injury is “not eligible” because of “acts of war” or because “government travel advisories” were already in place. The exclusions, hidden in the small print, swallow the promise of protection.

I’ve watched Tom’s face go from hope to panic. Then to something worse: resignation. That’s the hardest part. The fight drains out of him. His friends, his colleagues, we rally—calling embassies, NGOs, anyone who might help. Sometimes, it works. Often, it doesn’t. That’s when you realise the real cost of insurance that wasn’t built for the world we actually live in.

What It Feels Like
There’s a particular kind of isolation that comes with this moment. You’re surrounded by people, but you’re alone. The system—the one you paid into, trusted to have your back—has turned its back on you. It’s not just about money or logistics. It’s about dignity. You’re reminded, brutally, that in the eyes of your insurer, you’re a statistic, not a person.

I’ve heard colleagues on satellite phones, voices tight with fear and frustration, arguing with call centre staff half a world away. I’ve seen us pooling cash to pay for a private evacuation, because the insurance company won’t budge. And I’ve sat at bedsides in third-rate hospitals, listening to the groans of the untreated, wondering if it could have been different with the right cover.

The Hard Truth
This isn’t rare. It’s routine. Standard insurance wasn’t written for war zones. It wasn’t designed for journalists, aid workers, or anyone who steps into chaos for a living. When you need help the most, that’s when you find out just how fragile your safety net really is.

Its something to think about
If you’re heading into hostile environments—whether for the first time or the hundredth—don’t make the mistake I’ve seen too many colleagues make. Don’t assume your insurance will be there when you need it. Read the policy. Ask the hard questions. Demand clarity. And if you’re serious about your safety, seek out specialist cover. There are organisations—like NGS—that understand the risks we take and are built to respond when everything goes wrong.
Don’t wait until you’re the one on the phone, hearing “I’m sorry, we can’t help you.” Make sure your safety net is real, not an illusion.

Editors note:
All names and locations redacted for reasons of security.
Dialogue compiled from a client discussion in Autumn 2024

The Duty of Care Crisis: Why Standard Travel Insurance Exposes Media Organizations to Catastrophic Liability

Martin Fisher — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 17:22:46 +0000

When media organizations send journalists into conflict zones with standard travel insurance, they’re exposing themselves to catastrophic liability risks that extend far beyond individual coverage gaps.

The harsh reality is that most insurance products available today are fundamentally incompatible with the duty-of-care responsibilities that media organizations owe their personnel operating in high-risk environments.

This isn’t just an operational oversight—it’s an institutional crisis waiting to happen.

The Legal Framework of Organizational Responsibility

Media organizations face unprecedented legal and ethical obligations when deploying journalists to dangerous assignments. The duty of care extends beyond simply providing insurance—it requires ensuring that coverage is adequate for the specific risks journalists will encounter.

Standard travel insurance creates a false sense of security that can expose organizations to significant liability when coverage fails at critical moments.

The legal implications become clear when examining what happens when standard policies exclude the very scenarios journalists are most likely to encounter: war zones, civil unrest, terrorism, and politically motivated violence.

Organizations that rely on inadequate coverage may find themselves legally responsible for gaps in protection that leave their personnel vulnerable in life-threatening situations.

Six Critical Institutional Risk Exposures

Media organizations face specific liability exposures when standard travel insurance fails their personnel in the field.

First: FCDO Advisory Exclusions. When organizations send journalists to regions where the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advises against travel, standard policies exclude coverage entirely. This leaves organizations potentially liable for medical costs, repatriation expenses, and personal accident claims that could reach millions.

Second: War and Terrorism Coverage Gaps. Standard policies routinely exclude claims arising from war, civil unrest, and terrorism—precisely the conditions media organizations send journalists to document. Organizations may face wrongful death claims, disability compensation, and family support costs when standard coverage fails.

Third: Emergency Evacuation Limitations. Standard policies provide limited emergency evacuation coverage that doesn’t account for the complex security scenarios journalists face. Organizations may be responsible for costly private security evacuations, ransom payments, and extended family support when standard coverage proves inadequate.

Fourth: Professional Activity Exclusions. Standard business travel insurance explicitly excludes frontline journalism activities, leaving organizations exposed to claims when journalists are injured or killed while performing their assigned duties.

Fifth: Kidnap and Ransom Exposure. Standard policies don’t cover kidnapping, ransom demands, or politically motivated detention—scenarios that create enormous financial and reputational risks for media organizations.

Sixth: Pre-existing Risk Scenarios. When threats are already known through government warnings, standard policies decline coverage, leaving organizations fully liable for any incidents that occur.

The Reputational and Financial Stakes

2024 marked the deadliest year for journalists in three decades, with at least 124 journalists and media workers killed. Among them, 43 freelance journalists died while working, often without comprehensive coverage.

Each incident represents not just human tragedy, but potential institutional liability for organizations that failed to provide adequate protection.

The reputational damage extends beyond immediate financial costs. Media organizations face public scrutiny over their duty-of-care practices, potential regulatory investigation, and long-term brand damage when their personnel are inadequately protected.

Industry analysis shows that organizations with comprehensive specialist coverage maintain stronger relationships with freelance journalists, better staff retention in high-risk roles, and enhanced reputation for responsible journalism practices.

The institutional impact includes operational disruption when personnel require emergency evacuation, potential legal action from families of affected journalists, and regulatory compliance issues in multiple jurisdictions.

Case Study: When Standard Coverage Fails Institutionally

Consider the institutional implications when a media organization’s journalist is trapped in a conflict zone with only standard travel insurance coverage.

The organization faces immediate crisis management challenges: coordinating private security evacuation at potentially enormous cost, managing family communications and support, handling media scrutiny over their duty-of-care practices, and potentially facing legal action for inadequate coverage.

Standard insurance providers typically respond with policy exclusions, leaving the organization to manage the crisis independently while absorbing all associated costs.

This scenario has played out repeatedly, with organizations discovering too late that their standard policies provide no meaningful protection for the risks they regularly expose their personnel to.

The institutional learning from these incidents is clear: standard travel insurance creates liability exposure rather than protection for media organizations operating in high-risk environments.

Specialized Coverage: Institutional Risk Management

Comprehensive specialist coverage transforms organizational risk management by providing institutional-grade protection designed specifically for media operations.

We work with partners like Northcott Global Solutions to provide media organizations with the institutional support they need when crises occur.

Comprehensive evacuation services that include security personnel, multi-jurisdictional coordination, and real-time scenario management—removing evacuation costs and liability from the organization.

Professional liability coverage that recognizes journalism activities as legitimate professional work rather than excluded high-risk activities.

Institutional crisis management support that helps organizations manage the broader implications of personnel emergencies, including family communication, media relations, and regulatory compliance.

Duty-of-care compliance frameworks that ensure organizations meet their legal and ethical obligations to personnel operating in dangerous environments.

Specialist coverage recognizes that media organizations need institutional protection that addresses both individual personnel safety and organizational liability exposure.

The Economics of Institutional Protection

Comprehensive specialist coverage for journalists ranges from $80-$105 per week for high-risk assignments, compared to $18-$32 per week for standard coverage in low-risk destinations.

The cost differential reflects the reality of institutional protection versus individual coverage gaps. For extreme-risk assignments, comprehensive coverage costs approximately $80 per week—a minimal expense compared to potential organizational liability exposure.

Organizations must evaluate this cost against potential liability scenarios: wrongful death claims, disability compensation, family support obligations, emergency evacuation costs, crisis management expenses, and reputational damage.

The business case for comprehensive coverage becomes compelling when organizations consider the total cost of exposure versus the relatively modest premium for adequate protection.

Managing Freelancer vs. Staff Coverage Obligations

Media organizations face different duty-of-care obligations for staff journalists versus freelance contributors, but both create institutional liability exposure when inadequately covered.

Staff journalists typically receive organization-provided coverage, but many organizations mistakenly assume standard business travel insurance is adequate for high-risk assignments.

Freelance journalists often rely on personal travel insurance that provides no meaningful protection for professional journalism activities, potentially exposing commissioning organizations to liability when coverage fails.

Industry best practice requires organizations to verify that all personnel—staff and freelance—have appropriate specialist coverage before deployment to high-risk environments.

This includes ensuring coverage extends to locally employed personnel who work with international journalists, as organizations may face duty-of-care obligations for local staff safety as well.

Comprehensive coverage policies address these varied relationships and ensure organizations meet their obligations across different employment structures.

Compliance and Governance Frameworks

Media organizations require robust governance frameworks to manage their duty-of-care obligations systematically.

This includes establishing clear policies for risk assessment, coverage verification, deployment authorization, and crisis response procedures.

Organizations must maintain documentation demonstrating due diligence in providing adequate protection for personnel operating in dangerous environments.

Regulatory compliance extends across multiple jurisdictions, as media organizations may face legal obligations in their home country, the assignment location, and any intermediate jurisdictions.

Specialist insurance providers understand these complex compliance requirements and provide coverage that meets institutional obligations across different legal frameworks.

Governance frameworks must also address the evolving nature of media work, including citizen journalists, social media documentarians, and other non-traditional contributors who may create institutional liability exposure.

The Institutional Information Gap

Critical information about adequate coverage spreads through informal networks rather than institutional channels, creating knowledge gaps that expose organizations to liability.

Many media organizations operate without understanding the true extent of their coverage gaps and liability exposure when using standard travel insurance for high-risk assignments.

Industry associations and professional networks provide limited guidance on the specific insurance requirements for conflict zone journalism, leaving organizations to discover coverage inadequacies during crisis situations.

This information gap means many organizations continue using inadequate coverage until they face actual liability exposure, often too late to prevent institutional damage.

Specialist providers bridge this gap by working directly with media organizations to assess their specific risk exposure and ensure adequate coverage for their operational requirements.

Why Institutional Specialist Coverage Matters

Our approach addresses the fundamental disconnect between standard insurance products and the institutional realities of media organizations operating in high-risk environments.

As the only insurance designed by journalists, for journalists, we understand that media organizations need more than individual coverage—they need institutional protection that addresses their duty-of-care obligations comprehensively.

Unlike non-specialist insurers, we work to minimize exclusions that create liability gaps for media organizations. Our policies support organizational compliance with duty-of-care obligations while enabling journalists to focus on their crucial work.

We work with media organizations, industry associations, and professional networks globally to provide comprehensive coverage that meets institutional requirements.

Our coverage extends beyond individual journalists to include locally employed personnel, addressing the full scope of organizational duty-of-care responsibilities.

The Strategic Choice for Media Organizations

Media organizations face a fundamental strategic choice: continue operating with inadequate coverage that creates significant liability exposure, or invest in comprehensive specialist protection that addresses their institutional obligations.

The choice becomes clear when organizations understand that standard travel insurance doesn’t just fail individual journalists—it exposes the organization to catastrophic liability when coverage gaps become apparent during crisis situations.

Organizations that continue relying on standard coverage operate under the illusion of protection while accepting enormous liability exposure for scenarios they regularly place their personnel in.

The institutional realization often comes too late: when an organization faces crisis management, family support obligations, potential legal action, and reputational damage because their standard coverage excluded the very risks they sent journalists to document.

Institutional Risk Management Best Practices

Media organizations require comprehensive risk management frameworks that address the full spectrum of their duty-of-care obligations.

This includes establishing clear policies for risk assessment, ensuring adequate coverage verification, maintaining crisis response capabilities, and documenting compliance with institutional obligations.

Organizations must engage with specialist providers who understand the complex liability landscape media organizations face when operating in high-risk environments.

Specialist coverage provides institutional protection that addresses both individual personnel safety and organizational liability exposure, enabling media organizations to fulfill their duty-of-care obligations while supporting vital journalism work.

The difference between standard coverage and specialist institutional protection isn’t just operational—it’s the difference between accepting enormous liability exposure and having comprehensive protection that enables responsible journalism practices.

Don’t wait for a crisis to reveal your organization’s coverage gaps. Ensure your institutional risk management framework includes specialist coverage that matches the environments you operate in.

Not the sanitized coverage designed for routine business travel.

Who’s Covering the Fixers? Why Short-Term Insurance for Local Media Teams Is Still Broken

Martin Fisher — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 14:17:42 +0000

Local fixers are the unsung backbone of global journalism. They know the terrain, the power dynamics, the risks, and the workarounds. Without them, many foreign correspondents simply couldn’t do their job. Yet when it comes to safeguarding these vital collaborators, many media organisations fall short — particularly when the assignment is brief, intense, and dangerous.

At insuranceforthemedia.com, we’ve seen time and again how hard it can be for both organisations and fixers themselves to get appropriate, affordable insurance cover for short-term work. Whether it’s a three-day assignment in Mosul or a week in Khartoum, the need is urgent. The support often isn’t.

What Is a Fixer, and Why Are They So Crucial?

Fixers are often local journalists, translators, or guides who help foreign media crews operate effectively in unfamiliar, complex, or high-risk environments. They provide logistical support, local knowledge, contacts, cultural context, and in many cases, personal safety.

They are not just assistants. They are producers, negotiators, drivers, security guides, interpreters, and often co-reporters. In many cases, they take on more risk than the journalists they support, but with less recognition and far less protection.

As the Rory Peck Trust notes, “Fixers are essential to the international newsgathering process, but they are often the least protected and most vulnerable.”

The Coverage Gap: What’s Missing?

Despite their critical role, fixers frequently work without formal insurance. Why?

Assignments are often last-minute and short in duration
Budgets are tight and processes ad hoc
Fixers may be working as freelancers, with no organisational backing
Available insurance products are geared towards Western correspondents, not local teams

Many large outlets assume that hiring a local fixer via a local contact absolves them of responsibility. But that logic falls apart the moment something goes wrong. Fixers have been arrested, injured, kidnapped, and killed doing this work. Without appropriate insurance, their families are often left with nothing.

The Real-World Risks for Fixers

Let’s be clear: this is not a theoretical risk. Examples abound:

In conflict zones like Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan, local fixers have been targeted as collaborators.
In politically unstable areas like Sudan, Iran, and Myanmar, fixers have been detained during protests or elections.
Even in places considered relatively stable, fixers can face violent retaliation from criminal groups, militias or state actors.

Fixers may be more visible, more vulnerable, and less protected than the foreign journalists they support.

What Media Organisations Need to Know

If your organisation is sending journalists into the field, it is your responsibility to ensure local collaborators are just as protected as your staff. That means:

Ensuring insurance cover extends to local fixers and translators
Planning insurance before the assignment, not after a crisis
Being clear about who is responsible for what—logistics, safety, risk assessment, emergency response

We offer specialist cover for media organisations, including policies that allow you to cover multiple workers on short notice.

→ Learn more about our cover for media organisations

Barriers Fixers Face When Insuring Themselves

For fixers trying to self-insure, the landscape is bleak:

Most mainstream insurers won’t cover high-risk regions
Many short-term policies exclude journalism or media work
It can be difficult to prove income or employment status

And even when cover is available, it’s often expensive, bureaucratic, or fails to meet the realities on the ground.

Why Ad Hoc Travel Policies Often Fall Short

Many journalists or producers assume that a general travel policy is enough. It isn’t. Typical exclusions include:

War zones or areas under FCDO or US State Department advisories
Professional activities such as journalism, filming or reporting
Cover for fixers not explicitly named on a group policy

In short: if you don’t declare the risk and the role, the policy may not pay out.

What Good Fixer Insurance Looks Like

At insuranceforthemedia.com, we provide flexible, short-term insurance that’s actually built for this kind of work. Here’s what that means:

Cover available from just one day
Worldwide support, including in conflict and post-conflict zones
Evacuation, medical, and crisis response cover
Policy options for both individuals and organisations
Fast turnaround – cover can often start within 24 hours

→ Explore cover for individuals and freelance fixers

How insuranceforthemedia.com Is Changing the Game

We believe everyone contributing to newsgathering deserves access to high-quality insurance — whether you’re a British correspondent or a fixer in Baghdad.

That’s why we offer:

No minimum policy length
Specialist underwriting for media roles
Support with fast-moving deployments
Help for NGOs, broadcasters, and freelancers alike

We work with fixers, producers, and editors around the world to deliver simple, human, transparent cover for dangerous work.

What You Can Do Now

If you work with fixers or are one yourself, don’t wait until there’s a crisis.

Get a quote today for short-term, high-risk assignments
Speak to our team about ongoing or annual cover
Download our cover comparison guide to see what’s included

→ Get a quote now

Trusted Resources and Industry Guidance

For further reading and practical guidance, we recommend:

Rory Peck Trust – for grants and safety support for freelancers
Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) – for reporting on press freedom and safety risks
IFJ Safety Fund – emergency aid for journalists in danger
Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma – for trauma-informed reporting

Final Word: Journalism Shouldn’t Come at the Cost of Safety

The world needs reporters on the ground. And reporters need local fixers to do the job well. But journalism should never come at the cost of someone else’s safety. With the right planning and the right insurance, we can help protect the people who make frontline reporting possible.

Want to check if your team is properly covered?