How much does executive protection cost? | TB Defense
Executive protection does not have a single price, because no two assignments carry the same risk. The cost is driven by how many agents you need, for how long, whether they are armed, and how much advance work and logistics the assignment requires. A short single-agent engagement and a standing detail for a public figure sit at very different points on the scale.
What actually drives the cost
A few factors move the number more than anything else:
- Coverage. One agent for an afternoon is one thing. Around-the-clock protection is a rotation of several agents, not one person working impossible hours.
- Armed or unarmed. Armed agents carry more training, licensing, and liability, and that is reflected in the rate.
- Advance and intelligence. The work that prevents an incident happens before the principal arrives. Route planning, site advances, and protective intelligence take time, and that time is part of the cost.
- Transportation and vehicles. Secure transportation, and whether you need standard, executive, or armored vehicles, changes the figure.
Day rate, retainer, or project
Most protective work is priced one of three ways: a day rate for short or event-based assignments, a monthly retainer for ongoing coverage, or a project fee for a defined piece of work with a clear start and end. The right structure depends on whether your risk is a moment or a condition.
Why the cheapest quote is usually the wrong one
A quote far below the others almost always means something is missing: an undertrained agent, no real advance work, thin insurance, or one person stretched across a job that needs a team. Protection is one of the few purchases where the low bid can cost you the thing you were trying to protect.
How to get an accurate number
An honest quote requires a short, confidential conversation about the actual risk, the schedule, and the environment. We assess that first, then price the work to match it, rather than quoting a number before we understand the assignment.
If you want a real figure for a real situation, request a confidential consultation. The first conversation is free.