The African copper belt, which spans parts of Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), is a key region for global copper production. However, the transportation of this valuable resource is threatened by increasingly sophisticated cargo theft operations.
Copper theft thrives in this region due to the high value of the metal and its ease of being sold on black markets. Criminal networks often move the stolen copper quickly across borders, greatly complicating recovery efforts. Main theft patterns include ambushes and hijackings, where thieves use extreme violence to intercept shipments, typically in remote areas with little police presence. Additionally, internal vulnerabilities such as late reporting, breaches of security protocols, and even employee collusion increase exposure to these risks.
For insurers, the impact of these thefts is significant due to the high value of the losses, as entire trucks loaded with copper are stolen. Currently, insurers are taking strict measures when drafting policies to avoid exposure to unfair losses arising from the application of the policy terms themselves, although rejecting claims is not always straightforward. Some of these measures include:

• Strict compliance with warranties: Policies include clauses requiring the use of organized convoys, armed escorts, and real-time satellite tracking systems.
• Clear deadlines for claim notification: It must be strictly enforced that incidents such as hijackings are reported within the first 48 hours. This control allows for swift investigations and improves the chances of recovery.
• Preventive risk control: Insurers should actively collaborate with intermediaries and transporters to assess routes and local conditions, identifying specific risks and promoting safe transport practices.
• Enforcement of exclusions: Policies exclude losses arising from negligence or deliberate violations of security protocols, protecting insurers from unjustified claims.

As a final point, although detailed policies can clearly outline conditions and exclusions, factors such as ambiguity in interpretation, lack of evidence, pressure from the insured, and legal regulations complicate the process of rejecting claims. Insurers must handle each case carefully to avoid disputes and ensure fair decisions.