Following the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City, a wave of concern has prompted some insurance companies to remove information about their leaders from public view. Citizens Property Insurance Corp., a state-backed insurer in Florida, is among those making changes to protect their executives.
Archived web pages reveal that before the arrest of Luigi Mangione on charges related to Thompson’s death, many companies displayed executive photos and biographies online. Evidence presented in the case includes a bullet shell etched with the words, “deny, defend and depose,” a phrase often used to criticize insurers’ handling of claims. The alleged murder and the subsequent reaction have led to increased security measures.
A wave a fear has spread into some company boardrooms after the killing. In the wake of the murder, fear has gripped some companies. Even more disturbing to observers was the emergence of Mangione, who is accused of the crime became a point of admiration for some. He’s become symbolic of the rage some policyholders feel when they can’t collect on a paid-for assurance that their health and property are protected.
No insurance company contacted has disclosed facing specific threats since the shooting. However, the situation has highlighted the potential risks faced by insurance leaders. When asked about the recent changes, Citizens officials said in an official statement: “For the moment, Citizens has removed information from its website regarding appointees to the Citizens Board of Governors and senior leadership as it reviews its policies and procedures to ensure their safety.”
Aubrey Jewett, an associate professor of political science at the University of Central Florida, provided context about the situation. “Historically, people would be horrified if somebody was gunned down in the street. But instead, across the internet, you had some people suggesting that this was … just retribution,” Jewett said.
Indeed, Mangione is now associated with the internet meme that is also being used to fuel discussions within certain online communities. Support for Mangione is also present. Shirts with “Free Luigi” are being sold, and a legal defense fund has raised over $625,000 as of February 27. The support shown for the accused individual presents new challenges for the insurance industry. Jewett noted that, given the public nature of the companies, executive exposure is often expected.
Jewett also highlighted the public’s perception of the insurance industry. Insurance companies have been doing terrible things to their customers in the name of profits for a long time,” Jewett said. The changes implemented by some insurance companies reflect a heightened sense of vulnerability among leadership, driven by both the crime and the public’s reaction to it.
Anne Geggis is the insurance reporter at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at [email protected].
