History

There has been growing momentum calling for insurance companies to bring their actions in line with their climate commitments and ethics statements for many years. Some of these calls came from unions and groups within the industry, and others from external organisations such as Insure Our Future

Insure Our Survival launched as a distinct campaign within Extinction Rebellion towards the end 2024, bringing a direct action element to the table by dramatically disrupting the annual insurance awards bash at the Royal Albert Hall. This was the beginning of being a distinct campaign brought more organisational autonomy

Following actions as part of initial Insure Our Survival campaigns there have been several major wins as companies hear reason and buckle to pressure. In particular, both Chubb and Probitas ruled out insuring the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP). Probitas further ruled out the (now-cancelled) West Cumbria Coal Mine in England. Every win makes profiting from genocide and ecocide harder

As well as the initial actions in the UK, global solidarity actions grew in particular across the rest of Europe and in Africa, reflecting a growing individual voice, strength, and identity

Because of this, in spring 2025, Insure Our Survival became a stand-alone organisation. As we built our strength, we continued working with XRUK during the recent waves of actions and we are deeply grateful for their support and resources. Now it is time to launch as an independent campaign. This change will see Insure Our Survival continue to expose insurers’ role in profiting from the interconnected struggles against genocide and climate collapse in the UK and across the globe

IOS has so far supported over 150 actions targeting the insurance industry and we profoundly appreciate all of the amazing volunteers who helped make them happen. From here, we look forward to connecting with new allies across the global ecosystem of change as well as strengthening our existing ties

Our focus will remain clear: boycott, blockade, and build pressure until insurers stop backing fossil fuels, arms, and war crimes