2026 Executive Outlook | The Future is Now 

For those who aren’t yet aware, the future of artificial intelligence in the property and casualty (P&C) insurance industry is now.

A vast majority of P&C insurance company and broker executives make this abundantly clear in this year’s digital version of Canadian Underwriter‘s 2026 Executive Outlook.

We asked executives to tell us just one thing the industry will have to contend with in 2026 that it didn’t have to face in 2025. Many point out the industry has dabbled in AI this past year, but they assert the experimentation stage is now over. Things will start to get real in 2026.

How many insurance providers have introduced AI into their operations? The data is sparse on that question.

Studies show brokers have been careful about introducing AI for fear of forfeiting the human touch with their clients. Brokerages tend to use AI most often in office automation procedures and in marketing initiatives.

For insurers, AI’s already been introduced into underwriting, claims processing, and call centre environments. Regulators predict future AI use-cases will include advanced analytics to refine and expedite customers’ risk profiles; the rise of ‘micro-insurance’ offerings (such as phone battery insurance or separate coverage for washers and dryers); the ability to update insurance on an ongoing basis instead of annual renewals; and shifting the claims approach from reacting and identifying damage to trying to prevent it.

All this enthusiasm about AI is taking place in a wider context.

Several executives note natural catastrophes remain a paramount concern next year. Climate risks, sustainability initiatives, capital efficiency, the industry’s ongoing talent gap, pay transparency legislation, and the divergent market cycles in personal and commercial lines all received mention as things to watch for in 2026.

CU reached out to 36 P&C insurance industry executives to ask for their thoughts about what’s in store next year. We received many more responses than we could fit in our print magazine. Our digital outlook series presents all responses we received.

For each day of the week between Monday, Dec. 15, and Monday Jan. 5 (except for statutory holidays), we will publish three new Executive Outlooks. Please enjoy the responses we present here, in alphabetical order by last name. We hope it gives you some insights into AI and other hot topics as we enter 2026.

Editor’s Note: Canadian Underwriter will be open during the holidays, but our editors will be working on a reduced holiday schedule. We will be back producing new content on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. To all of our readers, we are grateful to you for engaging with our content. We will be expanding our digital offerings next year. Stay tuned for more information on that. In the meantime, Canadian Underwriter wishes everyone a happy and safe holiday, and we look forward to seeing everyone again in 2026.

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David Gambrill

David has twice served as Canadian Underwriter’s senior editor, both from 2005 to 2012, and again from 2017 to the present.