Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about our independent insurance advisory services, construction and agricultural insurance, and how we can help protect your projects and operations in emerging markets.
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General Questions
Learn about our firm, approach, and what makes us different.
4 questionsConstruction Insurance
Common questions about CAR, EAR, DSU, and project insurance.
4 questionsAgricultural Insurance
Questions about crop, livestock, aquaculture, and parametric coverage.
3 questionsWorking With Us
How to engage our services and what to expect.
4 questionsGeneral Questions
Learn about our firm, approach, and what makes us different.
What is Axon Risk Advisory?
Axon Risk Advisory is an independent insurance advisory firm specializing in construction and agricultural insurance for emerging markets. Unlike traditional brokers, we work exclusively for our clients, providing conflict-free guidance on insurance programs for international projects across Asia-Pacific, MENA, CIS, Latin America, and Sub-Saharan Africa. Our team brings over 18 years of specialized experience and deep expertise in sectors where generic advice falls short.
How is an insurance advisor different from a broker?
The key difference is who we work for. Traditional insurance brokers often represent insurers as much as clients, earning commissions that can create conflicts of interest. As independent advisors, we work exclusively for you—the client. Our fees are transparent and paid directly by you, so there are no hidden commissions or incentives to recommend one insurer over another. This conflict-free model ensures our advice is always aligned with your best interests, not those of any insurance company.
What regions do you cover?
We specialize in emerging markets across five key regions: Asia-Pacific (China, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines), Middle East and North Africa (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Morocco), CIS Countries (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia), Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Chile), and Sub-Saharan Africa (Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Ethiopia). In total, we have advisory capabilities spanning over 40 countries where insurance coverage can be particularly challenging to obtain.
What is your relationship with Lloyd's of London?
We have an introducer agreement with Challenge Group, a Lloyd’s accredited broker with extensive experience in construction and specialty insurance. While we provide independent advisory services, this partnership gives our clients access to Lloyd’s market capacity for policy placement when they are ready to purchase coverage. This arrangement ensures you get independent advice from us and access to one of the world’s most respected insurance markets through a reputable broker.
Construction Insurance
Common questions about CAR, EAR, DSU, and project insurance.
What is CAR/EAR insurance?
CAR (Contractors All Risks) and EAR (Erection All Risks) are specialized insurance policies designed for construction projects. CAR insurance provides comprehensive coverage for civil engineering and building construction projects, protecting against physical loss or damage during the construction phase, including contract works, third-party liability, and materials. EAR insurance is specifically designed for machinery installation and plant erection projects, covering the erection phase, testing, commissioning, and surrounding property. Both are essential components of a well-structured construction insurance program.
Is construction insurance mandatory?
While construction insurance is not always legally mandatory in every jurisdiction, it is almost universally required in practice. Project owners, financiers, and lenders typically mandate adequate construction insurance as a condition of contract. Most international construction contracts—including FIDIC (International Federation of Consulting Engineers) standard forms—contain specific insurance requirements. Additionally, many governments require proof of insurance before issuing construction permits. In emerging markets, where we specialize, having proper coverage is essential for project financing and stakeholder confidence.
What project sizes do you handle?
We advise on construction projects ranging from $10 million to over $1 billion in value. Through our partnership with Challenge Group, we have automatic capacity of up to $10 million, meaning projects within this range can be placed quickly and efficiently through the Lloyd’s market. For larger projects exceeding $10 million, we work with Challenge Group to arrange higher limits and bespoke coverage structures through the broader Lloyd’s market and international reinsurance networks. No project is too complex for our advisory capabilities.
What is Delay in Start-Up (DSU) insurance?
Delay in Start-Up (DSU) insurance—also known as Advanced Loss of Profits (ALOP)—covers the financial losses that occur when a construction project is delayed due to insured physical damage. If a fire, natural disaster, or other covered event delays your project completion, DSU insurance protects against lost gross profit, ongoing fixed costs, interest and financing charges, and other consequential financial losses. DSU coverage is frequently overlooked but can represent the most significant financial exposure on a project. We strongly recommend including it in any comprehensive construction insurance program.
Agricultural Insurance
Questions about crop, livestock, aquaculture, and parametric coverage.
What types of agricultural insurance do you advise on?
We provide advisory services across the full spectrum of agricultural insurance products. This includes traditional crop insurance (covering yield losses from weather, pests, and disease), livestock insurance (cattle, poultry, swine, and other livestock), aquaculture insurance (fish farms, shrimp operations, and marine aquaculture), and parametric/index-based insurance solutions. We also advise on plantation insurance for large-scale operations, multi-peril crop insurance programs, and weather-derivative products tailored to the agricultural sector in emerging markets.
What is parametric/index-based insurance?
Parametric or index-based insurance is an innovative approach that pays out based on a predetermined trigger—such as rainfall levels, temperature thresholds, wind speed, or satellite-measured vegetation indices—rather than actual assessed losses. When the measured index crosses the agreed trigger point, payment is made automatically without the need for traditional loss adjustment. This makes claims faster and more transparent, reduces administrative costs, and eliminates disputes over loss assessment. Parametric insurance is particularly valuable in emerging markets where traditional loss assessment infrastructure may be limited.
Do you cover aquaculture risks?
Yes, aquaculture insurance is one of our specialized advisory areas. We advise on coverage for a wide range of aquaculture operations including fish farms (tilapia, salmon, catfish, and other species), shrimp and prawn operations, marine cage culture, hatcheries, and processing facilities. Aquaculture risks are unique and require specialized underwriting expertise—covering perils such as disease outbreaks, algal blooms, water quality issues, storm damage, and equipment failure. We help clients design comprehensive coverage programs that address these specific risks through both traditional and parametric solutions.
Working With Us
How to engage our services and what to expect.
How do I get started?
Getting started is simple. Contact us to schedule a free initial consultation where we discuss your insurance needs, current coverage situation, and project or business requirements. There is no obligation and no cost for this initial conversation. After understanding your needs, we provide tailored recommendations on how we can help—whether that involves a comprehensive risk assessment, coverage review, market analysis, or full advisory engagement. From there, we work together to develop the right insurance strategy for your specific situation.
What are your fees?
Our fees are fully transparent and structured as advisory fees paid directly by our clients. Unlike traditional brokers who may earn hidden commissions from insurers, our compensation model is straightforward: you know exactly what you are paying for and why. Fee structures vary depending on the scope and complexity of the engagement—ranging from fixed-fee consultations to ongoing retainer arrangements for larger programs. We discuss and agree on all fees upfront before any engagement begins, ensuring there are no surprises.
Do you handle claims?
Yes, claims advocacy and support is an important part of our service. While we do not act as loss adjusters, we serve as your advocate throughout the entire claims process. This includes advising on claims documentation and presentation, reviewing adjuster reports and insurer responses, negotiating with insurers on your behalf, ensuring you receive fair and timely settlement, and providing expert guidance on complex or disputed claims. Our independent status means we always represent your interests in any claims discussion, not the insurer's.
How long does the advisory process take?
The timeline varies depending on the complexity of your needs. For a straightforward coverage review or consultation, we can typically provide initial findings within 1-2 weeks. A comprehensive risk assessment and insurance program design for a new project usually takes 2-6 weeks for the initial assessment phase. Larger, more complex programs—such as multi-country construction projects or large agricultural portfolios—may require 4-8 weeks for thorough analysis and market engagement. We always provide a clear timeline estimate at the start of each engagement and keep you informed of progress throughout.
Still Have Questions?
Our team of insurance advisors is ready to help. Whether you have a specific question about your project or want to discuss your insurance needs, we are here to provide expert guidance.
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