General Insurance newsletter Friday 13th February 2026

Insurance News

How insurers and brokers are winning with predictive analytics - As competition intensifies, predictive analytics separates winners from followers in insurance. Our latest article reveals how brokers and insurers are transitioning from technology experiments to scalable solutions that address complex workflows, compliance demands, and customer expectations. Discover the strategies driving success. (IDEX Consulting news, 'How insurers and brokers are winning with predictive analytics')
Insurance Business Valuation Calculator– Are you considering selling your business, planning for growth, or shaping your 2026 strategy but need credible insights into your business's value? Our free valuation calculator, designed specifically for brokers, insurers, and MGAs, provides an instant estimate based on your company’s profile, revenue, and profit. Gain the essential data you need to make informed, strategic decisions with confidence. (IDEX Consulting news, 'Insurance Business Valuation Calculator')
Smart hiring: How employers can master the interview process - Structured interviews, multi-method assessments, and diverse panels are transforming hiring outcomes. Explore strategies like leveraging AI tools, addressing biases, and adopting behavioural frameworks to improve decision accuracy and secure top talent. (IDEX Consulting news, 'Smart hiring: How employers can master the interview process')
Check if your salary is in line with market rates - The IDEX Salary Calculator offers precise benchmarks for roles in General Insurance and Financial Services. Compare your current pay to industry standards and uncover insights into your earning potential. (IDEX Consulting news, 'Check if your salary is in line with market rates')
MAPFRE reported record 2025 profits after surpassing the €1 billion mark for the first time in its 90-year history, with net income reaching €1.1 billion on stronger technical performance. (Kenneth Araullo, 12/2/2026, Insurance Business, ‘MAPFRE shatters €1 billion profit barrier for first time in 90-year history’)
Domestic & General delivered a 106% revenue surge in its US operations ahead of its £2.1 billion sale to Asurion LLC, returning the division to profitability. (Kenneth Araullo, 12/2/2026, Insurance Business, ‘Domestic & General’s US turnaround delivers 106% revenue surge ahead of £2.1 billion exit’)
Intact Financial exceeded analyst expectations with a Q4 2025 net operating income per share of $5.50 (17% above estimates), driven by disciplined underwriting, a completed global rebrand, and a four-year transformation following its RSA acquisition, achieving a 19.5% operating return on equity and a 16% year-over-year book value increase. (Kenneth Araullo, 12/2/2026, Insurance Business, 'Intact crushes street estimates as four-year transformation pays off')
AIG reported strong Q4 2025 results with a 51% year-over-year jump in adjusted after-tax income per share and a combined ratio of 88.8%, but it continues to trail rival Chubb in underwriting efficiency and return on equity, while focusing on strategic initiatives like Syndicate 2479 and partnerships to drive future growth. (Kenneth Araullo, 11/2/2026, Insurance Business, 'AIG posts strong Q4 gains, but lags closest industry rival')
OpenAI's advancements in AI-driven insurance distribution have sparked concerns about brokers' control over customer relationships, with potential shifts toward platform-led models; while immediate impacts on commercial insurance are limited, the development signals a structural narrative that could reshape the industry's future dynamics.(Gia Snape, 11/2/2026, Insurance Business, 'OpenAI sparks a distribution reckoning for insurance – what does this mean for brokers?')
Insurers in the UK and Ireland face mounting pressure to modernise legacy systems, improve digital accessibility, and rebuild trust, with Accenture highlighting challenges like rising customer expectations, cost efficiency, and scaling AI responsibly, as 2026 looms as a pivotal year for transformation. (Bryony Garlick, 10/2/2026, Insurance Business, 'UK and Ireland insurers under pressure to modernise or risk falling behind')
Arch Capital's insurance segment saw Q4 2025 underwriting income nearly quadruple to $119 million, contributing to a consolidated combined ratio of 80.6% and $798 million returned to shareholders, highlighting strong capital generation and profitability across its diversified platform. (Rod Bolivar, 10/2/2026, Insurance Business, 'Arch Capital insurance arm sees underwriting income almost quadruple')
Specialist Risk Group (SRG) has launched operations in Australia, with offices in Sydney and Melbourne, as part of its international expansion strategy, integrating with its platforms in London, Singapore, and Europe while focusing initially on entertainment, media, and sport insurance solutions. (Jonalyn Cueto, 10/2/2026, Insurance Business, 'Specialist Risk Group expands into Australia')
Talanx, the parent company of Hannover Re and HDI Global, expects to surpass its 2027 earnings target of €2.5 billion a year early, driven by a 25% rise in 2025 net income to €2.48 billion, supported by strong operating performance, portfolio adjustments, and capital allocation strategies. (Rod Bolivar, 10/2/2026, Insurance Business, 'Talanx expects to reach 2027 earnings target a year early')
CNA Financial posted record Q4 income despite deteriorating underwriting margins, with compression extending beyond catastrophe-related losses. (Kenneth Araullo, 9/2/2026, Insurance Business, ‘CNA Financial posts record income while underwriting margins deteriorate’)
UK corporates are experiencing “quiet distress” that is reshaping D&O exposure well before insolvency, as prolonged strain and delayed restructuring increase early-cycle risk. (Bryony Garlick, 9/2/2026, Insurance Business, ‘UK corporate “quiet distress” is reshaping D&O risk long before insolvency’)
London’s insurance market is increasingly diverging in 2026, with delayed reform and softer rates forcing carriers to choose between scale leadership and strategic relevance. (Bryony Garlick, Insurance Business UK Staff, 9/2/2026, Insurance Business, ‘How London’s insurance market is diverging in 2026’)
OpenAI enabled insurance quote functionality within ChatGPT, with the first approved insurer now live and converting customers at the point of search and discovery. (Kenneth Araullo, 9/2/2026, Insurance Business, ‘OpenAI greenlights insurance quotes within ChatGPT’)
AXA XL joined the NEMO initiative supporting nuclear-powered shipping as part of its strategy to back long-term maritime decarbonisation targets. (Kenneth Araullo, 9/2/2026, Insurance Business, ‘AXA XL joins nuclear shipping push with NEMO membership’)
EU regulators proposed a blanket ban on maritime insurance services linked to Russian oil shipments, potentially cutting off reinsurance and P&I cover. (Paul Lucas, 9/2/2026, Insurance Business, ‘EU targets marine insurers with proposed blanket ban on Russian oil shipping’)

Mergers and Acquisitions

AIG acquired a 35% stake in Convex and a 9.9% holding in Onex to deepen its exposure to global specialty re/insurance and alternative assets without pursuing full control. (Josh Recamara, 9/2/2026, Insurance Business, ‘AIG seals 35% stake in Convex and 9.9% stake in Onex’)
Generali Group has acquired Swiss Life Network, creating a €3 billion global employee benefits platform spanning 130 countries, aimed at dominating multinational pooling and captive solutions while enhancing digital capabilities and expanding its footprint in the employee benefits market. (Josh Recamara, 11/2/2026, Insurance Business, 'Generali snaps up Swiss Life Network to build EB ‘network of choice’)

Moves

Descartes Underwriting has expanded Juan Maria Marqués Domenech’s responsibilities to include Central Europe alongside Iberia and appointed Felix Dalheimer, formerly an Underwriter at Chubb with expertise in natural catastrophe risks, as business developer for Germany and Austria to support growth and strengthen client relationships in the region.(Kenneth Araullo, 13/2/2026, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Descartes Underwriting, West of England P&I')
West of England P&I has appointed Alexis Wildman as Head of Products, succeeding Richard Turner, who is retiring, to oversee its diversified product portfolio and work with managing general agent partners, including Nordic Marine Insurance, as part of efforts to enhance its offerings for the evolving maritime industry. Wildman, bringing over 20 years of marine insurance experience, joins from Ki Insurance and reports to Chief Underwriting Officer Bart Mertens. (Kenneth Araullo, 13/2/2026, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Descartes Underwriting, West of England P&I')
Markel International promoted Phil Amlot to head of trade credit, elevating his underwriting experience to lead the firm’s global trade credit strategy and team development. (Josh Recamara, 11/2/2026, Insurance Business, ‘Insurance moves: Markel and Mission’)
Mission appointed Tom Hill as chief commercial officer for the UK & Europe, bringing extensive underwriting and delegated authority experience to support growth and technical delivery. (Josh Recamara, 11/2/2026, Insurance Business, ‘Insurance moves: Markel and Mission’)
Covéa Insurance UK appointed Philippe Domart as its third CEO in 18 months, effective April 1, 2026; Domart, with over 20 years of global insurance and reinsurance experience, will focus on profitability, broker partnerships, and advancing the firm's "Doing What Really Matters" strategy. (Kenneth Araullo, 11/2/2026, Insurance Business, 'Covéa Insurance UK names third CEO in 18 months')
João Mendonça, with over 25 years of insurance experience including leadership roles at Howden and Aon, has been appointed CEO of Acrisure Portugal as the firm targets growth in the €14.3 billion Portuguese market, leveraging technology and innovation to strengthen operations. (Kenneth Araullo, 11/2/2026, Insurance Business, 'Former Howden leader to steer Acrisure Portugal as €14.3 billion market heats up')
Allianz Commercial has appointed Guy Money as Regional Managing Director for Iberia and a board member of Allianz Seguros (Spain), effective March 1, 2026, subject to regulatory approval. With extensive leadership experience at Allianz and AXA, Money will oversee commercial insurance for SMEs, large corporations, and specialty risks in Spain and Portugal, succeeding Agustín de la Cuerda, who will transition to a new role after 30 years with Allianz. (Josh Recamara, 10/2/2026, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Allianz Commercial, Addresscloud, CyberCube, MAXIS and Alps')
CyberCube has appointed Chris Methven as CEO, succeeding Pascal Millaire, who transitions to Senior Advisor. Methven, previously Chief Growth Officer since 2020, brings extensive knowledge of CyberCube's products, clients, and ambitions. This leadership change follows the company's recent $180 million financing led by Spectrum Equity, marking a new phase of growth. (Josh Recamara, 10/2/2026, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Allianz Commercial, Addresscloud, CyberCube, MAXIS and Alps')
Alps, an MGA specialising in insurance add-on policies and claims solutions, has promoted Martin Green to Head of Business Development. Green, who joined in 2024 as Compliance Officer and later became Sales Manager, will now play a key role in advancing Alps's ambition to become the UK's leading add-on provider, according to Managing Director Michelle O'Reilly. (Josh Recamara, 10/2/2026, Insurance Business, 'Insurance moves: Allianz Commercial, Addresscloud, CyberCube, MAXIS and Alps')