Political Risk Insurance
Trade Political Risk is an emerging-market trade-related team that focuses on political risk and contract frustration with the ability to underwrite trade credit on a selective basis.
The team’s focus is on protecting and growing the political risk and contract frustration book. They offer cover for breach of contract/non-payment/non-delivery by sovereign entities and government-owned obligors offering capacity of $50m (USD) any one obligor. Also, for breach of contract/non-payment/non-delivery by private obligors offering capacity of $10m (USD) for any one obligor.
The Canopius Trade Political Risk team is part of the Credit, Political & Crisis Management division. Our teams work alongside one another writing complementary books of business that cater for different clients and appetites.

What we do
- Trade Political Risk is an emerging-market trade-focused team of underwriters whose background is principally in contract frustration (CF) and political risk (PR), with a strong subset in commercial credit (CR).
- Trade Political Risk is primarily focused towards providing indemnification to insureds who have made a financial loss, either to their assets or investments in a foreign country, or whilst engaging in corporate and sovereign lending or trade related business.
Our product offerings include the following cover types:
- Breach of contract, licence cancellation and import/export embargo cover
- Comprehensive non-payment or non-delivery cover for public or private counterparties
- Country, or whilst engaging in corporate and sovereign lending or trade-related business
- Currency inconvertibility / non-transfer
- Expropriation cover for assets and investments
- Mortgage rights indemnity
- Non-honouring of corporate or sovereign guarantees
- Political all-risks including political force majeure, war and terrorism, and consequential loss
- Political risk for lenders
- Pre-export finance protection – public and private supplier
- Unfair/fair (political) calling of bonds
Our capacity
Political Risk
Contract Frustration
Up to eight years
Speak to one of our specialist underwriters







The claims team handle complex claims arising from risks written in London and Singapore by four specialist underwriting teams: Credit & Political Risk, Excess of Loss Trade Credit, Trade Political Risk (including the pre-merger syndicate 1861 portfolio), and Crisis Management.
- Credit Insurance and Contract Frustration: comprehensive non-payment or non-delivery
- Non-Honouring of an Insured Guarantee
- Trade Credit – single obligor or multi-buyer portfolios on an Excess of Loss basis
- Political All-Risks
- Unfair / Fair (political) Calling of bonds and standby letters of credit
- Sabotage & Terrorism
FAQs
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Trade Political insurance protects businesses and financial institutions from losses resulting from political events or credit defaults that impact international trade and investments. These risks can include government actions, political instability, or customer payment defaults.
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Companies involved in international trade, exporters, importers, and lenders financing cross-border transactions often benefit from this type of insurance. It’s particularly important for businesses operating in politically or economically volatile regions.
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The insurer assesses the geopolitical and credit risk of the markets where a business operates. If a covered event occurs, resulting in financial loss, the policy compensates the insured for those losses, subject to the policy terms.
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Yes, policies can be tailored to fit the specific needs of a business or project. Coverage can focus on particular countries, risks, or types of transactions.
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- Protects against unexpected losses from political or credit risks.
- Provides confidence to expand into emerging markets.
- Enhances access to financing by securing receivables.
- Strengthens business resilience during uncertain times.
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Look for insurers with expertise in the countries and markets you operate in. Assess their track record, policy flexibility, and customer reviews to make an informed decision.
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Trade Political insurance covers a broad range of political risks including government actions such as expropriation, currency inconvertibility, breach of contract, non-payment, non-delivery and political force majeure events such as war or terrorism.
Latest Canopius political risk news
Canopius Strenghthens its Global Credit & Political Risk Team with Four Hires
London, 29 January 2024 – Canopius Group, a leading global specialty (re)insurer, today announces the appointments of Angelos Deftereos as Head of Structured Credit and...
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