Does Your Company Need Active Shooter Insurance?

A brick and mortar business wouldn’t think of operating without fire insurance. And yet, did you know that a workplace shooting is more likely to happen than a fire?

The fastest growing type of murder in the United States is workplace violence. Most people are unaware of this reality, which is why the idea of active shooter insurance is just catching on for businesses, schools, and other organizations.

 

Why is active shooter insurance necessary?

One of the questions employers often ask is, Why do I need active shooter insurance if I already have general insurance? The answer is simple: General insurance is insufficient and unreliable in the case of an active shooter incident.

General liability insurance policies do not activate unless a lawsuit is filed against the company where the shooting took place. Lawsuits take months and often years to resolve, and in the end, if your company is not held responsible for the shooting, then your insurance is not responsible to compensate your for your losses.

What does active shooter insurance cover?

An active shooter event creates an overwhelming amount of monetary losses. There are also intangible costs associated with such an incident. Active shooter insurance covers both of these losses:

Tangible Costs Covered by Active Shooter Insurance

  • Medical Bills. Worker’s comp does not cover employees injured during an active shooter incident.
  • Funeral Costs and Death Benefits. If lives are lost during an active shooter event at your company, then your company will be responsible for funeral costs and death benefits.
  • Trauma Counseling. An active shooter event is not something people bounce back from after taking a few days off. Most times, extensive counseling is necessary.
  • Victim Compensation. Depending on the situation, employers are often required to compensate employees affected by an active shooter event.
  • Litigation. Taking legal action may be necessary, and active shooter insurance will help to mitigate the costs, if not cover them completely.
  • Reconstruction and Refurbishing. The physical damage a building experiences during an active shooter event is significant. What’s more, many companies choose to either tear down and rebuild their structure, or they significantly redesign it in order to remove any reminders of the traumatic events that occurred.
  • Improved Security. After a shooting, most businesses will reevaluate and upgrade their security systems. If security is not addressed, employees will likely infer that their company doesn’t care about their safety.

Intangible Costs Covered by Active Shooter Insurance

  • Damage to your business reputation. As new stories are published and the community talks about the active shooter incident at your company, people are usually looking for someone to blame. Unfortunately, if blame is shifted in your direction, your business’s reputation could suffer as a result.
  • High turnover among workers. Regardless of how well an organization handles the aftermath of a shooting, they are likely to experience high turnover. This can cause a financial strain on the business, and active shooter insurance can help compensate for that.
  • Business interruption. Businesses are usually forced to close for a period of time after a shooting. With no money coming in, insurance is necessary to keep the business from shutting its doors permanently.

What active shooter insurance policies should you watch out for?

Before choosing an active shooter insurance policy, read the fine print carefully. Some policies do not cover the following:

  • Acts of terrorism
  • Shootings that fail to meet a specified casualty threshold
  • Shootings committed by employees (as opposed to individuals not associated with your business)
  • Vehicle damage
  • Mental anguish or domestic violence affairs

Any of the above scenarios are likely to be true in the event of a workplace shooting, so if you’re going to get active shooter insurance (and you should), then you want to be sure you’re covered in these circumstances.

A Right Response

We are surrounded by risk, and unfortunately the likelihood of an active shooter event happening at your workplace is too high to ignore. We encourage you to protect your company with active shooter insurance coverage. We’d also be more than happy to discuss opportunities to practice preparedness through Active Shooter Response Training for your corporate teamContact us today to learn more!

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Jim Tapscott

Instructor

Jim served as a Sheriff’s Deputy in Illinois for 30 years. During his time as a Deputy, Jim served on the SWAT team as an operator, team leader and Commander. Jim was involved in several barricaded gunman/hostage incidents as well as service of high risk arrest and search warrants.

Jim was a member of the US Marshals Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force where he performed surveillance and fugitive apprehension. His team was responsible for thousands of high risk felony fugitive arrests. Jim also served in the patrol division where he earned the rank of Sergeant and was responsible for patrol operations. Jim received numerous awards throughout his career to include Deputy of the Year, medal of valor and unit citation for SWAT operations.

Jim was a state certified CQB (Close Quarter Battle) SWAT instructor as well as an Active Shooter Response instructor, providing training for multiple law enforcement agencies throughout the state of Illinois.

Jimmy Pregel

Medical Instructor

I’m a proven leader with a diverse background in defense, law enforcement, and emergency response. My career began as a Scout Sniper in the U.S. Marine Corps, where I earned the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal. I then served as a security contractor in Afghanistan and Iraq, further developing my tactical and crisis management skills.

Domestically, I served as a Deputy for the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, earning a Medal of Valor, and as a firefighter, where I was awarded a Life Saving Ribbon. These roles reflect my commitment to safety and service, demonstrating leadership under pressure and a passion for protecting others.

As part of the Proactive Response Group Team, I design and deliver comprehensive medical training, developing lesson plans and conducting hands-on sessions. I ensure that participants are equipped with essential medical skills, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and readiness. My role is vital in preparing our team to handle medical emergencies confidently and competently.

Chris Taylor

Instructor

Chris is a retired Major from the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office in South Carolina. Chris was third in command over operations, overseeing more than 300 sworn Deputies as well as all special teams within the Sheriff’s Office. In 2012, Chris helped to organize a Dignitary Protection Team within the Sheriff’s Office that assisted the Secret Service with Presidential and Vice Presidential visits throughout the state. In addition to his normal duties, Chris performs private security for dignitaries, celebrities, as well as 12 years with the Miss America Organization. Chris has been instructing Active shooter Response with ProActive Response Group since 2021.

In his down time, Chris enjoys time with his wife and daughter, as well as watching sports and fishing.

Tyrie Fowler

Instructor

Tyrie Fowler is an Active Shooter Response instructor at Proactive Response Group and an Emergency Medicine Trauma Nurse at Prisma Health in Greenville. A Greenville native, Tyrie earned his Exercise Science degree from the University of South Carolina and his nursing degree from Mary Black School of Nursing. He joined Greenville Health System in 2015, transitioning from Orthopedic Trauma to Emergency Medicine. At Prisma Health, a Level One Trauma Center, he is part of the Trauma Nurse Leader team, with training in Advanced Trauma Care (ATCN) and Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC). Tyrie is pursuing certifications in Emergency Nursing (CEN) and Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN).

Tyrie enjoys Fall for its long runs, college football (Go Gamecocks!), and hunting, including deer and quail. He also loves smoking recipes with a creative twist. As a medical instructor, Tyrie empowers bystanders to provide critical assistance in emergencies, teaching them to control bleeding and manage injuries, ensuring they leave his class confident in making a difference.

Steven Anderson

Instructor

Steven J. Anderson is currently an Active Shooter Response Instructor for ProActive Response Group; he enjoys empowering people to survive in life threatening situations. Steve grew up in central Minnesota and spent three years with the United States Army. He graduated from St. Cloud State University with a degree in Criminal Justice. Steve worked as a federal agent for the United States Border Patrol where he was a member of the U.S. Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC): completing multiple assignments in Central & South America, an assignment with the United Nations and the Deputy Director (A) of the National Air Security Operation Center. In 2020 he retired from working in Federal Law Enforcement.

In his spare time he enjoys the outdoors especially bow hunting. Steve is a proud husband and father to 3 wonderful daughters.

Rob Christian

Instructor, Sales

Rob is originally from Louisville, CO. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 2003 and served as a Combat Engineer Officer until 2012. Rob deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2009 and 2010 where he planned and implemented force protection strategy, counter improvised explosive device operations, and mobility operations for Third Battalion Sixth Marine Regiment and Third Battalion Seventh Marine Regiment . Upon his departure from the military, Rob began to teach firearms and tactics with Arizona based Alpine Arms while simultaneously running his own small residential security consulting firm. Rob relocated the South Carolina in 2021 and joined ProActive Response Group in early 2023.

When not working Rob spends time with his wife Lindsey and son Theo. He enjoys stand up paddle boarding, visiting the rifle range, four wheeling, and camping.

Does Your Company Need Active Shooter Insurance?

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Founder

Chad Ayers

Chad Ayers served as Sheriff’s Deputy for Greenville County in South Carolina for 12 years. He has worked undercover in multiple state and federal investigations and in high-pressure environments, including active shooter events and hostage negotiations. Chad was a member of the SWAT team, where he served as assistant team leader and also assisted in the creation and implementation of the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office active shooter response program. Chad starred in season one of A&E TV’s Emmy-winning documentary LIVEPD and is a frequent guest commentator for FOX News, Law & Crime Network, and On Patrol Live.

Founder

Andy Sexton

Andy Sexton spent 12 years with the Greenville County Sheriff’s office in South Carolina, where he held the rank of Uniform Patrol Sergeant. His experience includes serving as an assistant SWAT team leader, involvement in high-risk incidents, including hostage rescues and the protection of dignitaries, working in criminal investigations (including armed robbery and homicide), and serving on the training committee for the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office.

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