Michael McKenna, Head of North America Specialty Insurance, AXIS, outlines the key trends shaping the industry as 2025 comes to a close and underscores that talent acquisition and rapid technology integration will be critical for specialty insurance in 2026.

Looking ahead to 2026, Michael Silas, Head of Global Credit, AXIS, sees mildly positive global growth driven by tech and infrastructure, but says credit sentiment remains cautious and reinsurers must still price to long‑term tail risk.

With real-time data and analytical tools giving underwriters a clear view of pricing adequacy, mix and attachment points, and allowing faster corrective action when rates fall below acceptable thresholds, insurers are shifting into a new paradigm for soft markets, said James Slaughter, Group CUO, Apollo, during an interview at the Insurance Insider’s London Market Conference.

Insurers can turn the global energy transition into both a commercial opportunity and a force for societal good, said Charlie Heathcote, Head of Sustainability, the Fidelis Partnership, during an interview at the Insurance Insider’s London Market Conference

Allowing insurers to receive real-time data from MGAs could eliminate the need for monthly bordereaux reporting, said Matt Hicks, Co-founder, Recorder, during an interview at the Insurance Insider’s London Market Conference.

Being able to make use of innovative AI features relies on having structured, organised and logical data.

AI and precise data can enable insurers to innovate policy durations, from annual to transaction-specific, offering more tailored coverage options, said Christina Lucas, Global Market Leader, Insurance, Google Cloud, during an interview at the PwC Insurance Summit.

Pushing 1 January renewals late in the season can undermine outcomes, said Maamoun Rajeh, President, Arch Capital Group. During an interview at the PwC Insurance Summit, Rajeh called for a bifurcated market approach combining strategic partnerships and a collaborative price discovery process months before renewals.

During an interview at the PwC Insurance Summit, SiriusPoint CEO Scott Egan highlighted the danger of pricing cycles. As pressure mounts after a quiet cat quarter, he urged reinsurers not to create pricing cycles by chasing volume at the expense of long-term industry attractiveness and risk adequacy.

PwC Partner Matt Britten predicts a wave of dealmaking in 2026, driven by diversified third-party capital from hedge funds, private equity and more. With reinsurers seeking growth and new asset classes emerging, the market is set for increased activity and innovation, he said during an interview at PwC's Insurance Summit.

An expected $600bn of capital flowing into the financial services industry in the coming years is focused on innovation and can reshape the insurance industry, said Arthur Wightman, territory leader, PwC Bermuda, during an interview at PwC's Insurance Summit.

The continued growth in cat bonds and third-party investment brings new options for risk transfer, diversifies investor pools and boosts returns, said Andy Marcell, CEO, Aon Global Solutions, during an interview at the PwC Insurance Summit.

"We don't want to run away from that risk. We want to run to the risk as long as we can quantify it," said Christian Dunleavy, President, Aspen, during an interview at the PwC Insurance Summit.

"We are unique in that for every line of business we write, we have both an owned balance sheet and a third-party capital solution to bring to customers," RenaissanceRe CEO Kevin O'Donnell said during an interview at the PwC Insurance Summit in Bermuda.

Reinsurance investments surged past 50 deals in Q3, Freddie Scarratt, Global Deputy Head of InsurTech, Gallagher Re, said during an interview at the PwC Insurance Summit in Bermuda. He said 75% of the deals were AI-driven.

Tools including raising deductibles and attachment points can help manage inflation challenges, says Jay Hamilton, head of A&H for AXIS

AI has shifted from a theoretical discussion to having a real impact across the entire insurance value chain, said Aman Gour, Founder and CEO, FurtherAI.

Use of technology is likely to separate the “leaders from the laggers” in the MGA/program business space, said Shanil Williams, CEO, Allianz Commercial, Americas.

Property remains both a challenge and an opportunity for insurers, said Brian Farrell, SVP Program Management Lead, P and C Programs, Arch.

MGAs need to remain focused to succeed, said Emmy Falvey, Senior Vice President, Head of Capacity, Falvey Insurance Group.

The global construction industry continues to expand, says Jimmy Keime, Head of Engineering and Nuclear, for Swiss Re.

MultiStrat, the founder of casualty ILS, is focusing on committed capital to grow, said Bob Forness, CEO, MultiStrat.

Ahead of the upcoming Baden-Baden Reinsurance Meeting, top of mind for many are climate, economy and geopolitics, says Nikhil da Victoria Lobo, Head of P and C Reinsurance for Western and Southern Europe and Middle East and Africa for Swiss Re.

The explosive growth of the E&S market, coupled with higher seller valuations, is driving a steady stream of carrier M&A activity, said Jason Murgio, Principal & CEO and Paul Procops, Vice President, of boutique insurance investment bank Merger & Acquisition Services.

“That’s what we live for,” said Darren Tasker, Head of Construction, North America, Allianz Commercial, emphasizing the deep expertise needed to navigate multi-billion-dollar data center construction projects and deliver tailored, comprehensive insurance coverage.

From cat losses from wildfires and hurricanes to litigation battles to the shifting commercial insurance landscape — these are the stories that defined our industry in the last 12 months. In celebration of Insurance Insider US Honors Awards, please enjoy our Year in Review video.

January 1 renewal rates will be determined by the next 60 days of possible hurricane loss activity and any change to interest rates.

As the reinsurance industry “fought incredibly hard” for its recent underwriting profits, SiriusPoint CEO Scott Egan remains hopeful that the market will remain disciplined coming into Jan. 1 renewals.

MGA’s can be challenging but cost effective and “we use them to expand our footprint in new markets and new lines of business”.

It is your people who differentiate you in a competitive reinsurance market, Klinger said.

While investors recently have favored the “instant gratification” of supporting brokers and MGAs, start-up reinsurer Mereo CEO David Croom-Johnson said he thinks capital will “fall back in love” with balance-sheet companies who deliver consistent profitable results.

Named peril specific mass tort litigation coverage is a $5bn opportunity for reinsurers.

Alternative capital can support M&A, says Eric le Mercier.

The E&S market has “the same DNA as we do”.

AI is fuelling MGA growth in Europe and the UK, Clausner says.

Paul Campbell details how the most profitable insurers act during a soft versus hard market.

New technologies, including autonomous vehicles, are impacting loss trends already, said Charlie Bartlett, head of P&C for North, Central and Eastern Europe, SCOR, in the walk up to the annual RVS conference in Monte Carlo.

The insurance industry faces fierce competition to replace retiring professionals amid evolving expectations from younger workers. Tony Chimera, Talent Executive, Westfield Specialty, reveals how investing in people and culture drives success in recruiting and retention.

While volatile stock markets and increased geopolitical strife may have dampened global Mergers & Acquisitions, transactions among brokers remain robust, said M&A Services Inc.’s Managing Director Chris Hughes and Senior Associate Stephen Scales.

Insurers are pairing accumulation and exposure management with modeling to navigate natural catastrophes, said Monica Ningen, CEO P&C Reinsurance US, Swiss Re.

Insurers could face a “heightened claims exposure” due to increased regulation scrutiny on the fintech industry, including buy now pay later schemes, AI and crypto, said Nick Rugg, Head of Fintech and Investment Management Insurance for Markel International.

The increase in business and leisure travel – plus niche travel, such as for cosmetic procedures – is driving increased demand for travel insurance, said Guy Bonwick, Head of Global Specialty Accident and Health at AXIS.

“Wildfire is a specialist peril," said Kevin Stein, Co-Founder and CEO of Delos, explaining how harnessing data is redefining wildfire risk underwriting.

Companies are focusing on offering mental health support to employees. “We're listening, we're learning and we're sharing,” said Vince Tizzio, President and CEO of AXIS, with Phil Schermer, Founder and CEO of Project Healthy Minds.

As AI and data analytics reshape the insurance industry, Brendan Hanley, managing director of binding P&C at Markel, explains how these tools can offer real efficiency gains.

Jack Kuhn, President of Westfield Specialty, discusses the shifting market cycles and changing landscape at RISKWORLD 2025.

Alliant is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, and is the ‘furthest thing from a serial acquirer,’ Greg Zimmer, CEO, Alliant, said at RISKWORLD 2025.

Today’s casualty market is “challenging” driven by shrinking capacity and tightening excess layers, said Pete McGuinness, EVP, national accounts casualty, for Arch.