HARTFORD, Conn. (September 26, 2016) - The Travelers Companies Inc. announced the results of the Travelers Risk Index, an annual survey that provides insight into the most pressing concerns of American consumers and business leaders. While fewer respondents believe that the world is becoming riskier, there are shared concerns about cyber threats, the demands of a changing workforce and severe weather.

“Our findings reveal common risks that business leaders and consumers may not be fully prepared to manage,” said Patrick Gee, senior vice president of claim at Travelers. “The good news is there are steps they can take to help mitigate those risks and protect their families, finances, homes and businesses.”

Findings specific to construction include: 

Just 26 percent of respondents are worried about global/political conflict, terrorism and social unrest. They are more worried about:

  • Medical cost inflation and legal liability (56 percent)
  • Rising employee benefit costs (53 percent)
  • Employee workplace injury (52 percent)
  • Attracting and retaining skilled talent (48 percent) – consistent with recent AGC of America findings and recent legislation passed by the House of Representatives.
  • Rising workers’ comp costs (45 percent) 

Key exposures/issues:

  • Only 32 percent have a written business continuity plan
  • Just 17 percent have cyber/data breach response plans
  • Just 26 percent feel they are properly insured

Trends respondents are most fearful of in the next year include:

  • Changing workforce (62 percent worry about the aging population and influx of millennials)
  • Empowered consumers
  • Energy dynamics

General Concerns

Cyber attacks are a significant concern among consumers and business leaders as mobile devices, wearable technology, connected workspaces and smart homes become more common. Half of consumers fear someone will gain unauthorized access to their personal information via smart devices. The report found that victims of a data breach or cyber attack — nearly one-quarter of consumers surveyed — say they have not since taken any greater precautions than those who have not experienced a breach.

Nearly half (45 percent) of business leaders worry about the emerging risks associated with increased automation and internet connectivity. Thirteen percent report being very confident that they have implemented best practices to avoid a cyber incident. Eighty-one percent lack confidence in the steps they should take in the event of a cyber breach, and 32 percent have a data breach response plan in place.

Both consumers and business leaders report worrying about a changing workforce and requiring employees to acquire new skills to be successful. More than one-quarter of consumers surveyed are anxious about having the skills to meet workforce demands. Half of the business leaders surveyed report concerns about their ability to attract and retain talent. Forty-nine percent of business leaders view aging employees and the influx of millennials as key disrupters.

Severe weather is another shared worry, with a majority of consumers and business leaders believing it is becoming more frequent across the country. Thirty-nine percent of consumers and 33 percent of business leaders indicate that they believe damage to their property is more likely to occur. Sixty-three percent of consumers say they have a plan for what to do before extreme weather strikes. About half of business leaders say they have a business continuity plan in place.

To view the full risk index, please visit travelers.com/riskindex.