Activists Against Insurers

Activists have a new target in their fight to effect change on social issues: insurers. How can risk management help the industry turn outrage into opportunity?

In February 2017, Uber was under fire from activists and consumers for two separate events. Then-CEO Travis Kalanick had joined President Trump’s economic advisory council, which he eventually quit after increasing public pressure and protests outside the ride-sharing company’s headquarters.

Separately, consumers accused the company of unfairly profiting from a strike by taxi drivers at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport as part of a protest against a White House immigration ban. While the striking cab drivers remained idle, Uber continued to provide service, sparking a social media campaign that called for users to #DeleteUber and more than 200,000 customers did just that.

In the era of social media, activists were able to spread their message quickly and effect change just as fast.

Uber is just one of many companies facing pressure from activists. Hot-button issues like gun control and climate change have inspired groups to look more closely at corporate practices and potential pressure points to find other ways to further their agenda.

And as the strategy proves effective, companies across business sectors have found themselves in the crosshairs, including in the insurance industry.