The fatal shooting of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk at a Utah university in September 2025 prompted Utah to purchase active-assailant insurance two months later to shield state agencies, schools, and campuses from financial losses due to violent attacks. This fast-growing product, also called deadly weapons or malicious attack insurance, covers losses from active shooters and vehicle-ramming incidents. Schools, local governments, private equity real estate trusts, and political campaigns are among buyers securing billions in coverage.

US buyers now pay over $100 million annually in premiums for standalone active shooter insurance, up from $50 million in 2020. The market reflects a broader trend where financial risk from gun violence is managed as a cost of doing business, driven by litigation culture and legislative gridlock. Utah’s risk management head Rachel Terry noted the policy was used months after Kirk’s shooting when employees reported a colleague’s suspicious behavior, triggering access to crisis hotlines and private security services.

Insurers describe the coverage as "sleep-easy," allowing institutions to offload exposure to civil unrest, strikes, riots, and commotion. Many top providers are based in the UK.