We live in a dangerous world. From Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, there are numerous places which anyone would think twice about visiting. But, having done so, many people go ahead and pack their suitcases: aid workers, set on bringing relief; journalists in search of a story; businesses in pursuit of valuable contracts. At Lloyd’s, we’re with them all the way. As specialists in extreme risk, Lloyd’s underwriters provide the cover they need to do their work. Insuring construction companies rebuilding Iraq; mine–clearers; news organisations reporting from the West Bank; and UN workers in the most troubled parts of the world. Why are we willing to venture into such hot–spots? Part of the answer – but only part – concerns our expertise: in many cases, our understanding of risk enables us to assess it more accurately than others, and to base our calculations on a more realistic picture. But there’s another more important reason why we confront dangers that most would go out of their way to avoid. It’s because we’re Lloyd’s. And since we started over 300 years ago, that is how we’ve built both our business and our reputation.