Brown & Brown, Inc., an insurance brokerage and risk management services firm, has released its 2026 Market Trends report, providing a detailed assessment of developments across the insurance landscape and notes that rate conditions in several areas are beginning to move in a more favourable direction for buyers who approach renewals with careful preparation and maintain strong claims performance.
At the same time, the report identifies sectors and product lines where pricing is expected to remain elevated and underwriting standards more exacting.
The 2026 edition is the first issued following Brown & Brown’s 2025 acquisition of Risk Strategies. Drawing on the combined experience of specialists from both organisations, the report presents analysis of the forces shaping commercial insurance, employee benefits and personal insurance markets, along with considerations for organisations planning for the year ahead.
“The dynamism of today’s insurance market and the ever-changing economic factors being managed by customers make this type of insight invaluable for planning,” commented Steve Hearn, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and President of the Retail segment. “I’m excited to see how the combination of Brown & Brown and Risk Strategies’ specialty knowledge has deepened our ability to provide insight into the factors shaping the risk and liability markets.”
While overall market capacity has increased, the report notes that conditions vary meaningfully by segment. In commercial insurance, heightened competition among carriers is creating opportunities for well-managed risks. However, large-scale loss events, including wildfires and cyber incidents, continue to influence underwriting decisions and pricing. Certain industries, such as transportation and hospitality, as well as organisations operating in catastrophe-prone regions, may encounter more restrictive terms.
In the employee benefits arena, employers are seeking ways to address cost pressures without diminishing the relevance or quality of coverage. Greater adoption of digital health tools, including virtual care solutions and platforms that promote cost transparency, reflects this focus. At the same time, maintaining benefits programmes that support employee engagement and retention remains a priority.
Personal insurance markets are being shaped by climate-related volatility, increased claims severity, regulatory developments and evolving carrier strategies. These factors underscore the importance of detailed risk information and proactive management. Although underwriting conditions have begun to stabilise in certain areas and capacity has expanded selectively, properties exposed to wildfire and severe convective storm risk continue to face tighter requirements and sustained pricing pressure.
According to the company, the report is intended to provide practical insight for businesses, employers and individuals evaluating insurance decisions in a complex operating environment. Brown & Brown states that its national scale, international reach and specialised expertise position it to support clients as market conditions continue to evolve.
