Tokio Marine launches insurance for physical AI-equipped robots, covering business continuity costs during downtime

TV Asahi reported on October 26, 2026, that Tokio Marine Holdings will begin offering “AI Robot Insurance” next month. The policy covers robots equipped with physical AI that have a body-like structure and act autonomously. In addition to coverage for breakdowns and liability, the policy covers costs needed to keep businesses operating during downtime, including the cost of hiring replacement workers or renting robots, according to the report.

TV Asahi reported that Tokio Marine Holdings will cover the cost of hiring replacement workers or renting robots during downtime, in addition to equipment breakdowns and liability. For companies operating robots in logistics or customer service, covering the costs of keeping operations running during downtime—not just equipment repairs—is a difference from traditional coverage.

The reported change in coverage is that insurance will cover not only breakdowns and liability involving the robot itself, but also business costs incurred when operations are suspended. For robots used in logistics or customer service, the cost of repairing equipment and the cost of keeping operations running during downtime are separate concerns. The report that replacement workers and robot rentals are covered suggests a policy design that extends coverage from equipment damage to securing alternatives during downtime. However, the report does not specify coverage limits, duration or the conditions for eligible robots and operations. This development highlights the need to evaluate robot adoption not only as the purchase and operation of equipment, but also in terms of recovery from failures and business continuity. Because the effect of robot downtime on operations varies by use case, which costs for replacement workers and rentals are covered, and under what conditions, will affect the policy’s practical value to companies adopting robots. Coverage for equipment breakdowns and liability was also reported as part of the existing scope. With downtime-related expenses added, a key question is how far one insurance product will cover distinct risks involving equipment damage, liability to third parties and business continuity. Wayve, Uber and Nissan announce robotaxi partnership, plan pilot in Tokyo in second half of 2026, which we reported on, covered a pilot plan involving robotaxis using autonomous vehicles. The current report concerns the insurance coverage of costs associated with deploying and operating robots; the two reports differ in both subject and scope. But the distinction—one focuses on operational plans, the other on costs during downtime—shows that, alongside technology and operating plans, how to manage the burden of downtime is another consideration in deployment. The report does not say whether this insurance includes robotaxis or how business continuity costs would be calculated in actual claims. TV Asahi described it as “the first insurance of its kind in the industry,” but the article did not specify the scope of eligibility or the basis for comparison. Questions to follow include how eligible robots are defined, coverage limits and duration, exclusions, and how costs for replacement workers or rentals are calculated. The report also said the company plans to expand or revise coverage. The specific terms of coverage and how the policy addresses downtime risks across different uses, such as logistics and customer service, will be central to evaluating the product.