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Insurance, explained

Crisis management

Crisis management is the coordinated handling of a serious event that threatens a business’s people, operations or reputation. It combines decisions, communication and recovery actions under pressure.

Business owner discussing insurance documents with an adviser
BAU Risk Services — insurance brokerage

01 / The meaning

What it means.

A crisis can follow a serious injury, product issue, cyber incident or other disruptive event. The response should identify decision authority, immediate priorities and the people who need reliable information. Communication with workers, customers, regulators and suppliers serves different purposes and may involve different obligations. An accurate record of decisions helps avoid conflicting instructions as the situation develops.

Some insurance policies include defined crisis response or public relations expenses, but this does not make every reputational problem an insured event. The provision may require a specified incident, approved advisers, insurer consent or a time limit. Keep the response plan usable without assuming an insurer will fund every action. Necessary safety measures and applicable reporting duties should be considered alongside, rather than deferred for, the insurance process.

02 / Put it in context

A practical example.

Hypothetical example

Hypothetical example: a food business receives reports of suspected contamination. It coordinates product information and appropriate specialist advice while checking whether any selected policy includes defined crisis communication costs connected with the incident.

This example illustrates the term. It does not predict a claim outcome.

03 / Read the detail

What to check.

04 / Start a useful conversation

A question for your broker.

Who coordinates our response, and which specific crisis costs might the policy address?

Further reading

Read the source guidance alongside the relevant policy wording.

General information only. This does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting, consider whether the information is appropriate for you. Cover is subject to insurer acceptance and the policy terms, conditions, limits and exclusions. Read the Financial Services Guide and the relevant PDS (where applicable) and/or policy wording before deciding.

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