INSURANCE TRENDS 2026: Regulatory Shifts and Evolving Exposures

In our annual trends report we set out the latest thoughts of our leading sector specialist partners on the insurance claims environment – the issues that are likely to give rise to claims in the short and longer term and how insurers are responding to the potential liabilities.

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Against a backdrop of global conflict, political tension, persistent inflationary pressures and evolving regulatory frameworks, understanding the emerging risks is critical for insurers and businesses. At the same time, technological disruption and sustainability imperatives are affecting exposures across multiple professions and sectors. Anticipating how these developments may influence claims frequency, severity and coverage disputes is essential to effective underwriting, broking and claims management.

This report examines the key legal and market trends likely to shape the UK insurance landscape in the year ahead and beyond. It considers the differing impacts across professions, highlights areas of emerging risk, and analyses how recent case law, regulatory intervention and policy wordings are responding. Drawing on practical claims experience, it identifies strategies to mitigate exposure, strengthen governance and enhance resilience.

We hope this analysis provides clear, practical insight into the current and developing claims environment, supporting informed decision-making and proactive risk management in an increasingly complex market.

This year’s report provides in-depth analysis of the insurance trends from the following sectors:

• Construction
• Surveyors
• Solicitors
• Accountants and Auditors
• Insurance Brokers
• Directors and Officers
• Independent Financial Advisors
• Financial Institutions
• Education
• Environmental
• Health & Safety
• Environmental, Social and Governance
• Warranties and Indemnities
• Cyber
• Political Violence
• Regional Trends
  • Scotland
  • Ireland
  • Middle East
  • Canada

To download the full report, click on the link at the top of this page.

If you would like to discuss any of the trends covered in this report, please contact the relevant partner from the section or your usual Beale & Co contact.