Lexington Introduces Violent Acts Liability Coverage for Businesses

Lexington Insurance Co. has introduced Violence Guard, an insurance policy designed to provide protection to businesses for liability incurred due to incidents of violence. Coverage applies regardless of the location of the incident in the United States and Puerto Rico. It also applied regardless of whether the perpetrator or victim is an employee.

Lexington says Violence Guard helps address coverage gaps that may exist in traditional general liability and employer liability programs.

"The United States Department of Justice has estimated that there are two million violent workplace incidents annually. With violence a very real and growing concern for employers, it's critical that businesses take steps to prevent and prepare for such incidents," said Kevin Kelley, chief executive officer, Lexington Insurance Company. "The Violence Guard policy addresses a business's non-employee and employee exposures resulting from violent acts, while providing value added services to help an Insured prevent future violence."

The policy provides indemnity and defense cost coverage for non-employee claims arising from violent acts; excess "employers liability" coverage for employee claims arising from violent acts; and business interruption coverage until the site can resume normal operation. The policy also contains a provision to provide a $50,000 death benefit to families of employees.

Insureds also have access to risk management services to assist in the areas of security consultation. Value added services would include a review of corporate policies dealing with issues of violence, security site reviews and seminars aimed at violence prevention. These services are provided at no cost to the policyholder.

The Violence Guard policy is available as an occurrence form. An insured's directors and officers are named insureds. The policy also provides punitive damage coverage.