Rising geopolitical tensions are reshaping how insurers and reinsurers assess exposure to strikes, riots, and civil commotion (SRCC) and political violence risks. With instability capable of rapidly triggering widespread property damage, the traditional “all risks” property insurance model is increasingly being tested.

Derek Martin, Head of APA Claims at Munich Re and winner of Wotton Kearney’s Turning Point 2024/25 Competition, explores this challenge in his paper, Rethinking the Approach to SRCC and Political Violence in the Global Environment of Rising Geopolitical Uncertainty – the Reinsurance Perspective. He was supported by Matthew Foglia, Special Counsel at Wotton Kearney (Sydney), in this work.

The paper traces the historical evolution of political violence exclusions and highlights how the conventional property market has struggled to keep pace with today’s complex geopolitical risks. It also examines the uncertainty created by current exclusion wordings – particularly the line between covered “civil commotion” and excluded “uprisings.”

Derek proposes moving SRCC cover from traditional property insurance into the specialist war, terrorism, and political violence (WTPV) market, where risks can be more precisely defined, priced, and managed – providing greater clarity and sustainability for all stakeholders.

Stay tuned for further updates, as we provide details for the next edition of Turning Point 2025/26.

Download your copy of Derek’s paper by completing the form below.

You can also view the papers of finalists Jillian Pancott, Andrew Bott, and Sophie Henderson.