HDI Global, a commercial and specialty lines insurer, has launched its new strategy for 2026 through 2029, “Xcelerate29”, targeted at selective international expansion and driving excellence in core business.
The insurer will focus on expanding its specialty business across North America (NA), Southeast Asia and the Middle East, while further strengthening its corporate & specialty insurance segment.
Dr Edgar Puls, Chief Executive Officer, HDI Global, commented, “The United States, as the world’s largest insurance market, is a central lever for growth for us.
“Alongside expanding our presence there, we also intend to strengthen our global position in the Specialty segment – for example, in Aviation, Crisis Management, Surety and Credit Insurance.”
Simultaneously, the insurer will harmonise underwriting and claims standards, supported by data and process discipline, ensuring high quality, reliability, and sustainable performance.
Puls noted, “Our established Underwriting Excellence framework sets clear guardrails for technical quality across all market phases. This technical excellence and our consistent underwriting discipline are the foundation for standing by our clients over the long term as a Partner in Transformation.”
HDI Global emphasises that it is continuously advancing its claims management, focusing on claims expertise, smart processes and data-driven solutions. As part of the investment excellence initiative, the insurer will continue to develop its investment function across three core areas: strategic asset allocation, investment operations, and investment governance.
Puls added, “This enables us to further optimise our risk-return profile, strengthen our long-term financial performance and underline our commitment to excellence across the entire value chain.”
Additionally, the strategic plan’s name is derived from combining “Excellence” and “Accelerate”, and one of the insurer’s other goals is to establish itself as one of the top employers in the financial services industry.
Puls stated, “Success is driven by people. We will only achieve our ambitious goals if we systematically empower our employees. That’s why we invest in development, modern working conditions, international career paths and a culture that encourages and recognises innovation and performance.”
The targeted use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) aims to further strengthen the organisation’s underwriting and claims processes, which are being optimised across the value chain – from AI-supported risk analysis and automated document processing to intelligent models enabling faster first notification of loss.
“We are currently implementing several AI-supported processes in underwriting and claims. They free up employees’ time for higher-value tasks, accelerate processes, and increase consistency in decisions. Final decisions remain with people, following the motto: human-driven – AI powered,” Puls emphasised.
In 2024, the insurer surpassed the €10 billion mark in insurance revenue for the first time and significantly increased earnings, with 57% year-on-year rise in EBIT and a combined ratio of 90%.
Puls said, “This gives us strong momentum for the next steps towards 2029 as a globally capable and financially reliable partner. In recent years, we have consolidated our position as a leading global Corporate & Specialty insurer through expertise across our entire value chain, reliable services and a partnership-based collaboration with our clients.
“With Xcelerate29, we are taking our ambition to the next level. We are embedding innovation in our core processes and investing selectively in regions and lines where we create the greatest added value for our clients, brokers, and investors.”
He continued, “Our goal is to understand the individual needs of our clients and brokers, develop individual solutions and deliver tangible added value. Not least due to our cross-border expertise, we are one of the world’s five largest providers of managed International Programmes. We will further strengthen this position as part of the new strategy.”
