EchoStar covers launch at the last

EchoStar continued its unique approach to insurance with the recent successful launch of EchoStar XIV satellite on an ILS Proton rocket. The satellite operator is understood to have only decided to acquire launch plus one insurance at the last minute,…

EchoStar continued its unique approach to insurance with the recent successful launch of EchoStar XIV satellite on an ILS Proton rocket. The satellite operator is understood to have only decided to acquire launch plus one insurance at the last minute, buying cover worth US$175m. Willis placed the insurance.

This 11th hour approach is not new and sometimes EchoStar does not buy launch insurance at all. The company does not take out in-orbit coverage on its fleet.

One insurer described EchoStar as an opportunistic buyer of insurance, stating: “They typically dip their toe in the water, wee where the rates are and if they like it, they take it.”