Keeping the show on the road: how to better manage business travel risks

The geopolitical disruption of the past few years has presented businesses around the globe with unprecedented challenges, particularly when it comes to navigating business travel.

The combination of a bumper year for elections including the US presidential race, the ongoing conflicts in the Ukraine and Israel, widespread civil unrest, and changing political alliances and economic pressures are impacting international business operations.

And of course, the omnipresent influence of social media and alarming front-page news are raising concerns not just among companies but also the employees they are asking to travel.

Ramnik Kacha, underwriting leader for RSA’s Accident and Health speciality lines said: “With the escalation in global disorder… one could argue whether dysfunction has actually increased or if we’re just more aware of it due to social media. Companies now have an enhanced duty of care and they’re looking for partners who will help them manage risks while still supporting them to expand and grow their businesses internationally.”

“For many of the businesses we work with, travel is core part of their operations, and we help them to manage the risks whilst keeping their businesses operational.”

This is particularly true in sectors such as the media, oil and gas, and even technology, where there are still high levels of international operations in dangerous or unstable countries. However, while many insurers are reducing or removing cover altogether, RSA is taking a different approach.

“We’re not going to shy away from supporting our customers. We have always supported them to travel internationally, and we will continue to do that. We look at the bigger picture and understand that for many of the businesses we work with, travel is core part of their operations, and we help them to manage the risks whilst keeping their businesses operational.”

She adds that the conversations around risk management have intensified, as businesses are increasingly aware of the importance of duty of care for employees. Indeed, failure to meet duty of care requirements not only risks employees’ health, wellbeing and security, but also threatens to damage a company’s reputation as well as its ability to attract and retain key talent.

A broad approach

To help firms address these wider travel risks, RSA has recently revamped its Accident and Health cover, which now includes access to Healix for travel security reports, emergency repatriation and more.

Andrew Devereux, global risk intelligence manager at Healix, says recent geopolitical events have fundamentally reshaped how businesses perceive travel risks. He says: “It used to be the case that business travel was almost taken for granted. Now, there’s a stronger emphasis on complying with duty-of-care functions, as companies realise the potential for worldwide disruptions. There are major geopolitical events and a notable shift towards divisive politics, which makes the global environment more turbulent.”

He thinks this trend is here to stay, particularly in the current geopolitical climate, which remains extremely volatile. He points to the realignments on the world stage, with countries like Russia and China forming closer ties, explaining that this is subtly challenging the long-held dominance of liberal democracies.

How to manage travel risk threats

So, how can businesses responsibly manage the risks associated with travel?

Both experts stress the importance of proactive rather than reactive strategies, and recommend that companies establish actionable crisis management plans now rather than trying to react in the moment when thing go wrong.

Kacha advises that communication and preparation are crucial. She says: “Keeping open communication with us, utilising resources like the Helix app for real-time information, and understanding the risk landscape are essential. Businesses must also define their own risk tolerance levels and prepare accordingly.”

“By identifying potential risks beforehand, we make sure measures are in place to ensure trips go ahead without unnecessary cancellations.”

Another vital aspect of risk management in uncertain times is ensuring you have access to the right information and advice, which is something that RSA is tackling through its partnership with Healix. Healix’s approach is holistic, supporting companies with pre-trip advice and security briefings, as well as help on the ground when things go wrong,

Devereux explains: “We work with firms to assess their risk tolerance and establish thresholds. This way, companies know when to activate their continuity plans… We like to work with firms aiming to be proactive. By identifying potential risks beforehand, we make sure measures are in place to ensure trips go ahead without unnecessary cancellations.”

Business as usual

Kacha says that RSA is there to help make sure that businesses can continue to operate when things get tough, and will look for ways to make business travel safe, rather than pulling cover. This proactive stance is reflected in how the insurer treats travel to high-risk areas like Ukraine, Israel, and Russia.

For example, she says that RSA has worked with its media clients to allow journalists to continue to travel in war zones, taking a pragmatic view both in terms of the business necessity of these trips and the threats that UK journalists might face. She adds that RSA has also supported several companies that needed to keep working in Ukraine throughout the war.

However, she emphasises that transparency is critical when it comes to helping businesses operating in these areas. She says: “We don’t want knee-jerk reactions, even for regions like Israel where ongoing conflict exists. It’s about managing exposure without overcharging clients and supporting their business needs.”

“With proper planning, communication, and expert partnerships, firms can continue to navigate challenges effectively while ensuring the safety and well-being of their travelling employees.”

Devereaux says that Healix also operates with a flexible and business-first approach, which can be shown through practical examples from recent operations.

In Ukraine, for instance, the company facilitated evacuations when needed while also helping organisations return and remain operational once it became clear which parts of the country would be impacted by ongoing conflict. This included plans in case future evacuations were needed.

Meanwhile, in regions like Tel Aviv, Healix ensure that firms have continuity plans, adapting them for potential escalation scenarios.

Ultimately, both Ramnik and Devereux underscore the need for constant communication and flexibility in risk management to keep business travellers safe and to ensure that firms have the right cover in place.

Kacha concluded: “From geopolitical upheavals to shifts in societal norms, businesses face numerous uncertainties. Yet, with proper planning, communication, and expert partnerships, firms can continue to navigate these challenges effectively while ensuring the safety and well-being of their travelling employees.”