Geodesk designs and negotiates specialized insurance coverage for individuals and organizations operating in conflict zones, sensitive areas, or countries at risk of instability. Whereas the vast majority of insurance policies suspend or exclude coverage as soon as an “act of war” occurs, war risk insurance restores genuine protection: medical and security evacuation, emergency medical expenses, death and disability benefits, and coverage for kidnapping and extortion.
For 30 years, across more than 150 countries, the Geodesk team has been safeguarding the most high-risk missions—including expatriates, local employees, volunteers, journalists, and consultants—with coverage tailored on a case-by-case basis.
War risk insurance is a policy that restores coverage where general insurance law excludes it by default. In France, Article L.121-8 of the Insurance Code provides that, unless otherwise agreed, the insurer does not cover damage caused by foreign war or civil war. In practice, virtually all travel insurance policies, assistance coverage linked to credit cards, and “standard” health or life insurance policies exclude “acts of war, civil or foreign war, riots, and popular uprisings.” War risk insurance is precisely this “otherwise agreed provision”: an explicit, negotiated coverage that takes effect at the exact moment when other policies cease to provide coverage.
This coverage is based on a distinction that few policies explicitly state: passive war risk and active war risk.
Passive risk refers to the situation of a person who is caught up in a conflict without taking part in it (an employee caught in an airstrike, a volunteer stranded due to the closure of airspace, a team caught off guard by a sudden escalation).
Active risk, by contrast, refers to participation in hostilities, which remains uninsurable. War risk insurance covers passive risk: it protects those who find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time, without having chosen to be part of the conflict. It is this distinction—often blurred in generic contracts—that Geodesk clarifies and safeguards for each of its clients.
It has established a response chain: a support platform available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) capabilities from hostile environments; “security” or “political” evacuations when a deteriorating situation requires teams to be withdrawn from a country; and management of extreme situations such as kidnappings for ransom. It is as much an operational mechanism as it is a contract.
A risk that is all too often discovered only on the day of the incident. Geodesk understands the reality on the ground
A humanitarian organization deploys teams to a country that was classified as stable at the time the contract was signed. Within a few days, the security situation deteriorates and the airspace is closed. Standard health and assistance contracts then trigger their war exclusion clause, leaving the organization with no way out. With war risk coverage, the safe evacuation of employees—both expatriates and local staff—is organized and funded, and protection continues throughout the crisis.
A reporter is covering a conflict zone. His travel insurance excludes acts of war; his credit card does as well. In the event of injury, arrest, or kidnapping, he has no one to turn to. War risk insurance provides him with coverage for emergency medical expenses with no conflict-related exclusions, medical evacuation services, and kidnapping and ransom (K&R) coverage, along with crisis management support.
A company properly insures its expatriates but purchases an international policy designed exclusively for them. However, its local staff (drivers, technicians, local employees) are often excluded from the scope of this type of policy. In the event of a conflict-related incident, these employees find themselves without coverage, which exposes the employer to human, reputational, and legal risks. Geodesk systematically verifies that employees’ actual statuses align with the coverage provided, ensuring that no employee falls through the cracks.
In a war zone, each safeguard is designed for a specific scenario. Geodesk tailors them to your operational reality.
This coverage organizes and covers the medical evacuation of an injured or ill person from a hostile environment to an appropriate medical facility, even when local infrastructure is overwhelmed or destroyed. It is the most critical form of coverage in conflict zones, as its effectiveness depends on extensive logistics that must be planned before departure—and can never be improvised during a crisis.
This coverage applies to the evacuation of an employee not for medical reasons, but because the security or political situation in the country requires their immediate withdrawal. It differs from medical evacuation, which is triggered by the individual’s health condition. Many contracts only provide for the latter; Geodesk ensures that the former is fully included for assignments in sensitive areas.
Standard pension plans exclude death or disability resulting from acts of war. This coverage restores the payment of a death benefit and a disability annuity when the claim arises from a covered risk, thereby protecting the employee’s loved ones and ensuring the employer’s commitment.
The coverage includes emergency medical treatment and hospitalization without applying the war exclusion clause that renders standard policies invalid. Geodesk ensures that the coverage limits cover the actual cost of care in the country of assignment and that sublimits for intensive care or resuscitation do not reduce coverage when it is needed most.
This coverage includes protection against kidnapping for ransom, extortion, and unlawful detention, covering the associated costs and, most importantly, the services of experts in crisis management and negotiation. In conflict zones, the value of this coverage lies as much in operational support as in financial compensation.
The coverage provides access to a 24/7 support platform, psychological support following a traumatic event, and assistance with early return home when an employee must interrupt their assignment for a serious reason. It ensures the human element of the support system remains in place, from the first call through the end of the crisis.
Geodesk has been a broker specializing in international insurance for 30 years, with a presence in more than 150 countries. This specialization is not a general one: it includes in-depth knowledge of the specific mechanisms of war risk, the exclusions to navigate, and the coverage extensions to negotiate for sensitive destinations. Where traditional insurance stops at the border of a conflict, Geodesk remains by your side.
Each client is assigned a dedicated contact person who is familiar with their case, rather than an anonymous number. For assignments in war zones, this support draws on specific areas of expertise within the team: underwriting assignments in high-risk areas, K&R, D&O, and key person coverage, as well as ISO 31000 compliance and assignments in conflict zones. This close relationship makes all the difference when every minute counts.
In an emergency, the speed of response determines the outcome. Geodesk support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and an audit of your current coverage is completed in less than 48 hours. The advantage of working with a contact who is already familiar with the case is the ability to activate the right resources without wasting time trying to piece together the situation.
Geodesk draws on strong partnerships with insurers and recognized legal expertise, particularly through its publications with the CDSE (Cercle des Directeurs de Sécurité des Entreprises). This legal rigor is crucial when it comes to war risk, where the validity of a policy depends on the precision of the clauses and a thorough understanding of the exclusions.
We map out the countries where you operate, the individuals who are actually at risk (expatriates, local staff, consultants, spouses), and the level of risk at each destination. This analysis precisely identifies the areas where your current policies would no longer provide coverage.
We negotiate and tailor coverage to your specific needs: no standard contracts, but coverage tailored to your actual exposure, with the necessary extensions for sensitive areas and the reinstatement of coverage excluded under war exclusions.
We set up the system—including contracts, certificates, contact information for the support platform, and emergency procedures—so that your teams can get started with protection that’s immediately operational.
We monitor changes in mission areas, adjust coverage in response to changing circumstances, and provide a dedicated point of contact for claims and crisis management.
Analysis of Your Needs
We map out the countries where you operate, the individuals who are actually at risk (expatriates, local staff, consultants, spouses), and the level of risk at each destination. This analysis precisely identifies the areas where your current policies would no longer provide coverage.
Solution Architecture
We negotiate and tailor coverage to your specific needs: no standard contracts, but coverage tailored to your actual exposure, with the necessary extensions for sensitive areas and the reinstatement of coverage excluded under war exclusions.
We set up the system—including contracts, certificates, contact information for the support platform, and emergency procedures—so that your teams can get started with protection that’s immediately operational.
Follow-up & Support
We monitor changes in mission areas, adjust coverage in response to changing circumstances, and provide a dedicated point of contact for claims and crisis management.
Pain Without Borders
Pain Without Borders
Pain Without Borders has been using Geodesk's services for several years. Geodesk regularly provides us with insurance solutions tailored to our experts' missions in our various areas of operation, particularly in Ukraine, Ivory Coast, and Mozambique. Communication is always smooth, quick, and efficient, and we are fully satisfied with our collaboration and the availability of our account managers. "
URD Group
A. Lefevre
HR Director
“The travel of Better with Water employees is essential to the success of our field missions. Having a reliable insurance partner allows us to support them with peace of mind, wherever they are working. The quality of the support, the responsiveness of the teams, and the coverage tailored to our needs are a real asset for our organization and for the safety of our employees.”
GERES
X.ARNOULT
HR Director
“For several years, Geodesk and IECD have been developing a structured partnership to benefit the social protection of employees on international assignments. Present in 18 countries, IECD works to promote access to education, employment, and entrepreneurship. Geodesk's support helps to secure these initiatives in sometimes complex or fragile environments, particularly in Lebanon and Madagascar. This long-term partnership is based on a strong and shared relationship of trust between IECD and Geodesk, serving their common commitments on the ground.”
Reporters Without Borders
“RSF has been working with Geodesk for several years. We particularly appreciate the quality of their personalized support. Their teams are always responsive, available, and attentive to our needs. We appreciate their follow-up and always enjoy communicating with them.”
The Alexandre Dumas French Lycée in Moscow
Jean-Paul SCHÜTZ
Principal
“The Lycée Français Alexandre Dumas in Moscow , a school directly managed by the AEFE (Agency for French Education Abroad), places the safety and well-being of its students at the heart of its priorities. This is why we attach paramount importance to the quality of the school insurance we have purchased from CGEA GEODESK. Our school welcomes over 660 students, from preschool to the final year of high school, from numerous nationalities and spread across three separate campuses. In such a demanding international environment, we need a reliable partner. CGEA GEODESK fully meets this requirement. The “INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SCHOOL INSURANCE” coverage protects our students during school hours, on educational outings, and during all extracurricular activities organized by the school, thus providing continuous protection tailored to our daily lives.”
CartONG
L. Cailloce
Administrative and Logistics Officer
“Your speed and responsiveness ensure that we always receive our insurance certificates on time for our employees working in the field, even when we notify you relatively late. This is something we greatly appreciate, and it’s a relief to know that we can count on you in this regard.”
Most travelers and employers believe they are protected in the event of a conflict. In reality, the war exclusion is one of the most common clauses in insurance contracts, often worded broadly—such as “directly or indirectly related to an act of war”—which leaves insurers considerable leeway for interpretation.
Let's work together to find a solution tailored to your organization before the situation gets worse.
Comprehensive support for missions in hostile environments: security analysis, travel planning, and tailored coverage for the most high-risk destinations.
Protection against kidnapping, extortion, and unlawful detention, combined with the assistance of experts in negotiation and crisis management.
Bringing your business travel risk management into compliance with the international ISO 31000 standard, which is increasingly expected as part of an employer’s duty of care.
Coverage for the personal liability of executives, whose exposure is increasing in unstable international contexts.
The organization and management of medical assistance and repatriation, which form the foundation of all travel to sensitive areas.
Providing coverage for death, disability, and incapacity for employees on assignment, with the necessary extensions in the event of a risk of war.
Here you'll find answers to the most technical questions about the risk of war. For a specific situation, please contact us: we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
Passive war risk refers to the situation of a person who is caught up in a conflict without participating in it: they are located in an area where hostilities have broken out, without being a party to them. Active war risk refers to participation in hostilities, which remains uninsurable. War risk insurance covers passive risk: it protects your employees who, due to the nature of their work, are exposed to a conflict they did not choose.
Because these contracts almost always include a clause excluding acts of war. The general terms and conditions of premium credit cards, like most travel insurance policies, explicitly exclude “acts of war, civil or foreign war, riots, and popular uprisings,” and often also exclude countries under sanctions or in active conflict. Since the wording used is broad, a canceled flight, closed airspace, or an inaccessible hotel can all fall under this exclusion. Only a dedicated war risk insurance policy restores coverage for these events.
The “Five Powers” clause is a standard provision in war risk insurance policies that provides for the automatic suspension or termination of coverage in the event of an open conflict between at least two of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council: the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China. It exists because a conflict between these powers would result in losses of such magnitude that the private market could not absorb them. It is a little-known but crucial clause: it explains why certain “war” coverages can cease to be effective overnight in a major geopolitical scenario. Geodesk helps you understand where this limit lies in your policy.
Yes, and that is a unique feature of this market that must be anticipated. War risk insurance policies often include short-notice termination clauses, allowing the insurer to terminate coverage in a given area on short notice when the situation deteriorates suddenly. This reality makes continuous monitoring essential: Geodesk provides monitoring and proactive planning to ensure that a client does not find themselves without coverage at the worst possible moment.
Not necessarily. Many international contracts are designed for expatriates and do not cover local staff recruited on-site. In conflict zones, this blind spot is common and has serious consequences, as local employees are often the ones most at risk. Geodesk systematically verifies that there is consistency between the actual status of each individual—expatriate, local employee, consultant, spouse, or child—and the associated coverage.
A medical evacuation is triggered by a person’s health condition: the person must be transported to an appropriate healthcare facility. Security evacuation, also known as political evacuation, is triggered by a deterioration in the country’s situation: its purpose is to remove a person in good health from an environment that has become dangerous. Many contracts only provide for medical evacuation. For a mission in a sensitive area, security evacuation is just as essential, and Geodesk ensures that it is included in your coverage.
Generally speaking, no. Standard pension plans exclude death and disability resulting from acts of war. Without a specific coverage extension, the dependents of an employee who dies in such circumstances might receive no lump-sum payment, and the employer would be left exposed. A war risk coverage rider in a pension plan restores the payment of death benefits and disability annuities under the employer’s liability.
It is a binding and onerous obligation. The employer has a duty to ensure the safety of its employees (Article L.4121-1 of the Labor Code), including during international travel. If an employee suffers harm when the employer was—or should have been—aware of the danger but failed to take the necessary measures, the employer’s inexcusable fault may be recognized: this entitles the employee to full compensation for damages and an increase in compensation, and may be accompanied by criminal penalties. The ISO 31000 standard, which addresses travel risk management, is increasingly used as a benchmark to demonstrate that the employer has effectively fulfilled this obligation. Adequate and well-documented war risk coverage is among the measures expected.
No, these are two legally distinct concepts. In France, the law specifically regulates coverage for acts of terrorism and prohibits the exclusion of such coverage for property located within the national territory. War, on the other hand, falls under a different regime and remains excluded by default, unless otherwise agreed. Internationally and in conflict zones, the line between acts of terrorism, civil war, and foreign war can be blurred, making the precision of the clauses critical. Geodesk analyzes this distinction to prevent a claim from falling into a gray area between two types of coverage.
This is the most critical scenario, as a country can descend into crisis in a matter of days. Without proper planning, standard contracts trigger their war exclusion clauses at the very moment your teams need them most. Geodesk designs its coverage to account for this scalability, monitors mission areas, and plans for safe evacuation procedures, ensuring that coverage can be activated even as the situation on the ground deteriorates.
