AI, cyber insurance, and climate change/natural catastrophes were highlighted as the three themes that will have the biggest impact on insurance in 2026 as part of GlobalData’s annual predictions webinars. Insurers that establish themselves as leaders in these themes will see improved performance, products, and customer service. AI is undoubtedly the leading technology trend in the insurance industry at present. The emergence of agentic AI throughout 2025 has only increased the buzz around the technology ...

Core Insights - The primary driver for SMEs purchasing cyber insurance is broker advice, highlighting the importance of broker-led distribution in increasing cyber insurance uptake among smaller businesses [2][3][4] - CFC Underwriting Limited has introduced a Cyber Threat Review tool aimed at helping brokers communicate cyber risks in understandable commercial terms, thereby addressing the SME cyber protection gap [3][4] Group 1: Cyber Insurance Market Dynamics - A GlobalData survey indicates that 26.7% of SMEs acquired cyber insurance due to broker recommendations, emphasizing the trust and clarity brokers provide in the purchasing process [2] - The survey also reveals that 40.4% of SMEs believe it is unlikely they will be targeted by a cyberattack, and 9.2% are unaware of cyber risks altogether, indicating a significant knowledge gap [3] Group 2: CFC's Cyber Threat Review Tool - The Cyber Threat Review tool offers tailored insights into specific cyber exposures, translating complex vulnerabilities into practical business risks such as financial loss and reputational damage [3][4] - By integrating risk intelligence into the distribution process, CFC aims to enhance broker effectiveness and improve SME awareness of cyber risks, ultimately supporting growth in this under-penetrated market [4]

Core Insights - The 2025 Chubb Wealth Survey reveals that affluent North Americans are optimistic about economic growth but face significant risks, particularly in cybersecurity and estate planning [1][2] - High-net-worth individuals are increasingly focused on luxury spending, especially in travel and collectibles, while also expressing concerns about wealth protection and extreme weather [1][2] Economic Confidence - 79% of affluent respondents believe the economy will grow in the next 12 months - 67% see more opportunities to build wealth now than ever before, despite concerns about investment loss and extreme weather events [1] Cybersecurity Concerns - Cybersecurity is identified as the top concern, with cyberbullying and identity theft being the most significant issues - Only 41% of respondents have a standalone cyber insurance policy, despite being prime targets for cyberattacks [1] Generational Wealth Transfer - 68% of affluent families plan to pass collections to heirs, but 36% worry about legacy continuation - Nearly half lack a will, and 74% do not have an estate plan, exposing their fortunes to uncertainty [1] Luxury Spending Plans - 44% of high-net-worth individuals plan to expand their collections, with luxury travel being the top spending priority - Upcoming spending plans include 93% for domestic travel, 81% for international travel, and 59% for real estate [1] Wealth Protection Gaps - 77% of those planning to acquire valuables do not intend to insure them - 86% of collectors prefer to conduct their own research rather than engage an art advisor [1] Extreme Weather Risks - 74% of affluent homeowners consider flooding the greatest extreme weather risk to their wealth - 86% are making home improvements to mitigate risks from natural disasters [1] Marine Concerns - 94% of boat owners are concerned about the qualifications of those operating their vessels - Top marine concerns include mechanical breakdown (55%), inadequate insurance coverage (48%), and potential liability (46%) [2]

Core Insights - The primary concern for UK SMEs is not underinsurance, as only 14.5% express being very concerned about it, ranking it lowest among 23 assessed risks [2][3] - The most pressing issues for SMEs include the cost-of-living crisis (31.3%), revenue generation (27%), and political changes (25.7%) [2][3] - A significant 74% of SMEs globally are underinsured, indicating a disconnect between perceived risks and actual coverage needs [4] Group 1: Underinsurance Concerns - Only 14.5% of UK SMEs are very concerned about being underinsured, making it the least concerning issue [2] - Hiscox's report indicates that 74% of SMEs worldwide remain underinsured, with 55% lacking essential coverage types [4] - A large portion of SMEs lacks understanding of key insurance types, with 77% unable to describe cyber insurance and 80% for professional indemnity [4] Group 2: Operational Focus - UK SMEs are primarily focused on immediate operational challenges, which leads to deprioritization of long-term financial risks like underinsurance [3] - The lack of concern for underinsurance may stem from unfamiliarity with comprehensive protection and evolving risks [5] - Many SMEs have not reviewed their insurance policies in over three years, indicating a gap in awareness and understanding [4] Group 3: Opportunities for Insurers - There is a clear opportunity for insurers and brokers to provide targeted solutions to address the underinsurance issue [5] - Proactive coverage reviews and simplified product explanations can help SMEs identify and understand their coverage gaps [5] - Enhancing education and transparency around insurance options is essential for reducing the protection gap and safeguarding SMEs [5]

Group 1: Consumer Insights - Nearly half (45.7%) of UK consumers are willing to pay more for a travel insurance policy that pays out automatically [2] - Among those willing to pay more, 24.7% would accept an increase of up to 5%, and 14.1% would pay up to 10% more [2] - In contrast, 37.5% of consumers are not willing to pay extra, while 16.8% are unsure [2] Group 2: Cyber Attack Impact - Major airports, including Heathrow, Dublin, and Brussels, are experiencing significant disruptions due to a recent cyber attack, resulting in flight cancellations and delays [4] - The attack has forced staff to rely on handwritten tags and manual redeployments, highlighting vulnerabilities in airport operations [4] Group 3: Insurance Market Trends - The cyber attack emphasizes the growing need for parametric travel insurance, which offers automatic payouts for predefined events like delays or cancellations [4] - GlobalData's 2025 UK Commercial Insurance Broker Survey indicates that 53.6% of brokers see cyber insurance as a product with the greatest growth potential, driven by rising demand from businesses [5] - Insurers are encouraged to promote parametric travel insurance and position cyber insurance as both financial protection and a preventative tool for businesses [6]

Core Insights - DUAL Group has partnered with KYND to enhance its cyber insurance services, starting in Australia and New Zealand with plans for a global rollout [1][4] - The collaboration aims to provide brokers and clients with advanced risk assessment tools and ongoing monitoring of cyber risk profiles [2][3] Group 1: Partnership Details - The initial phase of the partnership will focus on Australia and New Zealand, with a subsequent global launch planned [1] - Clients will receive a KYND Signals report with each cyber insurance quote, detailing a risk profile based on over 250 factors [2] Group 2: Service Features - The new services will include ongoing monitoring through KYND ON, allowing clients to identify and address potential cyber threats in real time [2][3] - Alerts for emerging threats that could compromise data security will also be part of the offering [3] Group 3: Strategic Importance - DUAL Group's chief innovation officer emphasized the commitment to innovate in cyber solutions, empowering clients with actionable insights [3] - KYND's CEO highlighted the significance of the partnership, noting DUAL's global scale and commitment to innovation in the cyber landscape [4]

Core Insights - WireX Systems has announced a strategic collaboration with Brown & Brown to enhance risk management and insurance outcomes through the integration of cybersecurity solutions and risk identification processes [1][3][4] Group 1: Collaboration Details - The partnership aims to combine WireX Systems' cybersecurity expertise with Brown & Brown's analytics and brokerage capabilities to improve incident response and financial benefits for organizations [4][5] - Brown & Brown has a dedicated cyber insurance team that provides innovative cybersecurity risk solutions, leveraging its extensive experience since 1939 [3][4] Group 2: Operational Impact - WireX Systems focuses on redefining incident response by providing clear answers to critical post-incident questions, enabling faster investigations and reducing dwell time [2][5] - The collaboration seeks to translate cybersecurity maturity into measurable financial benefits, allowing organizations to assess their investments and insurance limits based on their cyber maturity [4][5] Group 3: Strategic Goals - The goal of the collaboration is to empower organizations to respond to incidents with speed and clarity, bridging the gap between technical readiness and financial resilience [4][5] - The partnership aims to provide organizations with a clearer understanding of cybersecurity ROI, ultimately reducing residual risk and ensuring that insurance premiums reflect real-world cyber maturity [5]

Financial Highlights - Total assets reached $12.8 billion as of March 31, 2025[8, 24] - Shareholders' equity stood at $2.4 billion as of March 31, 2025[8, 24] - Cash and invested assets amounted to $4.4 billion as of March 31, 2025[8, 38] - Gross premiums written (GPW) for the trailing twelve months (TTM) ended March 31, 2025, totaled $4.6 billion[8, 12] Performance Analysis - The combined ratio for Q1 2025 was 115.6%, impacted by $333 million in catastrophe and large losses, primarily from the California wildfires[23, 24, 26] - The annualized operating ROAE for Q1 2025 was (7.6%)[24, 26] - Net investment income increased by 21% from Q1 2024 to $50 million[24, 26] Portfolio Composition - Insurance segment accounted for $3.619 billion (78%) of the gross premiums written[13] - Reinsurance segment accounted for $993 million (22%) of the gross premiums written[11] Capital Management - The company returned $33 million of capital to common shareholders in the three months ended March 31, 2025, including $22 million in share repurchases and $11 million in dividends[26] - The company has $103 million remaining available for repurchase under the $200 million common share repurchase authorization as of May 9, 2025[47]