Heightened geopolitical tensions, organized crime activity and the spread of sophisticated digital scams are prompting wealthy families to rethink how they travel and protect themselves abroad.
The shift reflects broader concerns about instability in destinations once considered routine for affluent travelers. The US State Department, for example, maintains high-risk travel advisories for multiple areas of Mexico due to crime and kidnapping threats, and security consultants say organized criminal groups increasingly target foreigners perceived to have access to wealth. Meanwhile, security analysts have warned that conflicts and political unrest in several regions have complicated international travel.
Against that backdrop, private wealth advisors are seeing a sharp uptick in requests for contingency planning. Patti Clement (pictured), executive vice president at HUB Private Client, said her team has seen a surge in inquiries from families seeking guidance on travel security, crisis response and specialized insurance, including kidnap-and-ransom (K&R) insurance.
“Right now, more than ever, it’s critical that families are proactive,” Clement said. “The world is pretty scary day by day. It’s not about selling someone a product, it’s about education and giving them the tools so they can act instead of react if something happens.”
Roadblocks, airport disruptions and political unrest have become more common in certain regions, while kidnapping and extortion remain lucrative crimes for organized groups targeting wealthy visitors.
Kidnapping remains a global concern despite fluctuations in reporting. According to data cited by security consultancy Control Risks, thousands of kidnapping incidents are reported worldwide each year, with Latin America historically accounting for a large share. Many incidents go unreported due to concerns about publicity or safety.
Clement said HNW clients can be particularly vulnerable because of the digital footprint associated with affluence. Social media posts revealing travel plans, luxury homes or expensive vehicles can unintentionally signal opportunity to criminals.
“With technology today, people can research exactly who they’re going to go after,” Clement said. “Families post where they are, what they’re doing, even their homes or car collections, and that creates exposure.”
As a result, some insurers and advisors now incorporate security assessments into travel planning. HUB’s private client team, for instance, offers itinerary reviews conducted by risk specialists who analyze potential safety concerns and provide guidance on medical preparedness, transportation and local security conditions.
Those reviews can also identify gaps in insurance coverage, Clement said. Many travelers are unaware that standard travel insurance or health coverage may not apply in certain high-risk regions or may exclude evacuation from conflict zones.
For decades, K&R insurance was considered a niche product purchased mainly by corporations sending executives into high-risk areas. Clement said that during much of her 47-year career, she might see only a handful of policies sold annually for private families.
That has changed dramatically. In recent months, she said demand has accelerated as geopolitical tensions, high-profile criminal cases,, and economic uncertainty have raised awareness about personal security.
“In the past six months the uptick has been huge,” she said. “I’m binding at least one policy every other day right now. Families are concerned, and they’re asking what resources exist to protect them.”
K&R has historically been associated with multinational corporations operating in volatile regions. But the market is expanding to include affluent families, family offices and high-profile individuals.
Unlike conventional insurance, K&R policies typically include both financial reimbursement and access to specialized crisis-management teams. These teams often consist of former law-enforcement officials, military personnel or intelligence professionals who coordinate negotiations and recovery efforts.
“The response team is the most important piece,” Clement said. “If something happens, who is going to answer the phone? Who is going to help negotiate and keep the family safe?”
Modern policies frequently cover a broad range of incidents beyond traditional kidnapping. According to insurance brokers, coverage may include threats of violence, extortion, political evacuation, emergency medical evacuation and “express kidnapping,” a crime in which victims are abducted temporarily and forced to withdraw funds from ATMs or digital accounts. Clement noted this scheme has become more common in certain urban areas, partly because it allows criminals to obtain money quickly without holding a victim for extended negotiations.
Digital extortion is also emerging as a new threat. Advances in artificial intelligence and online data aggregation have made it easier for criminals to impersonate individuals or fabricate scenarios that appear credible.
“We’re seeing cases where someone claims they have a child or family member,” Clement said. “They may not actually have them, but they know enough personal details to make the threat sound real.”
Beyond insurance, advisors stress the importance of proactive preparation. Families are encouraged to evaluate travel patterns, household staffing, digital privacy and access to emergency resources.
Measures can range from simple practices, such as avoiding real-time social media posts about travel, to more structured planning, including background checks on domestic staff and emergency communication protocols.
Some families establish code words or predetermined signals to indicate distress during phone calls, while others maintain relationships with private security consultants who can assist in crisis situations.
“Everyone should have some kind of plan,” Clement said. “Whether it’s insurance or a security network, having resources in place before something happens is critical.”
Ultimately, the goal for private client specialists is to incorporate security discussions into routine client planning.
“Kidnap and ransom coverage should be offered the same way cyber insurance is,” Clement said. “But the bigger point is helping families understand the risks and prepare ahead of time. Being proactive is what makes the difference when something goes wrong.”
