Cyber and Environmental Risks Overtake Safety in Transportation Sector Reputational Concerns

A new WTW survey signals a fundamental transformation in the reputational risk profile for transportation companies, shifting away from traditional safety concerns and toward mounting environmental and cybersecurity threats. This pivot has direct implications for insurance claims adjusters, particularly those managing exposures in aviation, cruise, and rail operations.

According to the survey, 63% of transportation executives now view environmental issues—such as sustainability compliance and climate-related activism—as their leading reputational threat. Closely following, 61% cited cyber threats, more than doubling from last year, as companies face rising digital vulnerabilities and operational outages. These shifts signal an urgent need for claims professionals to reassess risk modeling, especially given that cyber incidents now routinely affect customer retention and revenue streams.

Environmental regulations, particularly in Europe, are tightening compliance demands, making cross-border liability more complex. Meanwhile, social issues like labor practices and cultural stances have surged in reputational importance. For adjusters, this diversification of risk signals an evolving claim landscape involving broader ESG factors.

While many companies have strengthened governance, crisis readiness, and board engagement, only 15% have robust modeling tools to quantify the financial toll of reputational harm. This disconnect between operational readiness and financial preparedness creates exposure gaps that adjusters must factor into policy structuring and claims evaluations. As ESG criteria become embedded in credit decisions, insurers and insureds alike must treat reputation not just as a PR issue, but as a tangible financial risk.