When operating in Afghanistan, insurance needs to be top of your list. All of your insurance in Afghanistan – be it health and protection for your people, cover for property and equipment or liabilities, must include special war and terrorism provisions.

Official risk ratings

Accident and Evacuation
Kidnapping and Ransom
Political Risk

What's it like to operate in Afghanistan?

Afghanistan is definitely Open for Business and offers a host of new opportunities, from companies and NGO’s involved in rebuilding and developing infrastructure and civil society, to companies serving the aspirational lifestyles of an emerging middle class.

We have been supporting a broad range of clients in Afghanistan since 2002. One of our senior brokers, Adrian Henry, spent 7 years living in Kabul, so we know how people operate here and understand the risks. (See Living in Kabul)

Obviously, protecting your people will be a priority. Personal accident, medical emergency and evacuation cover is strongly advised and must include provision for terrorism and political violence. Evacuation is not just about terrorist threats; a medical emergency like appendicitis or a road traffic accident is also covered, since healthcare is extremely poor by western standards.

Kidnap insurance is also recommended, as foreign nationals and locals associated with foreign companies can be targets for kidnap and extortion.

Protecting any property, investments or specialist equipment is also key and will require specialist war and terrorism inclusions that we can organise direct through Lloyd’s of London.

Finally you need to think about your liabilities. Afghanistan can be a complicated place to operate, so proper protection against contract disputes, professional indemnity and other specialist covers is worth considering.