Special Contingency Risks launches Enhanced Victim Support insurance in partnership with Hostage International

Rhea-AI Summary

WTW (NASDAQ: WTW) business Special Contingency Risks launched an Enhanced Victim Support (EVS) insurance extension on October 7, 2025 in an exclusive partnership with charity Hostage International. EVS is available to SCR policyholders and offers enhanced coverage for victims of kidnap, unlawful detention, or critical security incidents, including rehabilitation, salary support, and medical and psychiatric care. For each EVS extension purchased, Willis will make a donation to Hostage International to support the charity's work assisting hostages, former hostages, and their families.

The offering is presented as a product extension designed to expand post‑trauma support and to fund charitable services via the company’s donations tied to purchases.

Insights

Risk & Product Strategy Analyst

SCR (WTW) launched an Enhanced Victim Support insurance extension in partnership with Hostage International on October 7, 2025.

The product extends existing kidnap and security incident cover with explicit post‑trauma benefits such as rehabilitation, salary support, and medical and psychiatric care, and pairs policy sales with donations to Hostage International. This links an underwriting product to a charitable funding stream and expands the service proposition for policyholders who face severe security incidents.

The core business mechanism is product enhancement and social partnership: the extension may make SCR policies more attractive to clients seeking broader victim support, while the donation arrangement provides reputational and fundraising benefits to the charity. Execution risks include pricing adequacy for added claims exposure, clarity of benefit triggers and definitions, and operational readiness to deliver rehabilitation and psychiatric services.

Watch the following items over the next 6–12 months: uptake rates for the EVS extension, any disclosures on pricing or claims experience, and concrete service-delivery partnerships or provider networks that SCR uses to manage rehabilitation benefits. These metrics will show whether the extension is commercially sustainable and operationally deliverable.

LONDON, Oct. 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Special Contingency Risks (SCR), a WTW business (NASDAQ: WTW) has launched an Enhanced Victim Support insurance extension (EVS) to support hostage victims. The SCR initiative launches as part of an exclusive partnership with charity, Hostage International.

This new offering underscores SCR’s commitment to providing comprehensive support to victims of kidnap, unlawful detention, or critical security incidents, and their families. The EVS extension, available to SCR policyholders, provides enhanced coverage for victims and their families, including support for rehabilitation, salary support, and medical and psychiatric care.

As part of the partnership, for every Enhanced Victim Support extension purchased, Willis will make a donation to Hostage International, further bolstering their vital work.

Mark Doust, Director Special Contingency Risks commented "Our Enhanced Victim Support extension is a significant step forward in our ongoing efforts to deliver innovative and effective solutions that support post trauma rehabilitation for victims and their families. Our partnership with Hostage International aims to support and strengthen the fundamental work carried out by the world’s only dedicated charity in this field.”

Hostage International is a charity founded by Sir Terry Waite KCMG CBE and Carlo Laurenzi OBE to support families of hostages and former hostages. The charity provides free, confidential, and independent information and guidance to those affected by kidnap or unlawful detention.

Lara Symons, CEO, at Hostage International said: “We are very grateful for this innovative fundraising initiative from SCR, which will help enhance our work to support those who are affected by the unimaginable trauma of kidnaps and arbitrary detentions.”

About WTW

At WTW (NASDAQ: WTW), we provide data-driven, insight-led solutions in the areas of people, risk and capital. Leveraging the global view and local expertise of our colleagues serving 140 countries and markets, we help organizations sharpen their strategy, enhance organizational resilience, motivate their workforce and maximize performance.

Working shoulder to shoulder with our clients, we uncover opportunities for sustainable success—and provide perspective that moves you. Learn more at wtwco.com.

Media contacts

Lauren David

lauren.david@wtwco.com

FAQ

What is the Enhanced Victim Support (EVS) extension launched by WTW SCR on October 7, 2025?

EVS is an insurance extension for SCR policyholders providing enhanced coverage for victims of kidnap, unlawful detention, or critical security incidents, including rehabilitation, salary support, and medical and psychiatric care.

How does the WTW (WTW) partnership with Hostage International work for the EVS product?

WTW SCR launched EVS in an exclusive partnership with Hostage International and will make a donation to the charity for every EVS extension purchased.

Who is eligible for the EVS extension through Special Contingency Risks (WTW)?

The EVS extension is available to SCR policyholders as an add‑on to their existing SCR coverage.

What types of support does EVS provide to victims and families under the WTW offering?

EVS provides support for post‑trauma rehabilitation, salary support during recovery, and medical and psychiatric care for victims and their families.

Does the EVS launch on October 7, 2025 change WTW’s underwriting or pricing for kidnap coverage?

The announcement describes a new extension and charitable donations but does not disclose any specific underwriting or pricing changes.

How will Hostage International benefit from WTW’s EVS purchases announced October 7, 2025?

For every EVS extension purchased, WTW said it will make a donation to Hostage International to support the charity’s free guidance and support services for affected families.