Conning Releases 2026 Insurance Industry Outlook

January 26, 2026


HARTFORD, CT – January 26, 2026 – Conning today announced the release of its annual forward-looking assessment of the U.S. insurance market. Insurance Industry Outlook 2026 provides a comprehensive, structured examination of the macroeconomic forces, sector specific dynamics, and strategic considerations shaping both the property-casualty and life-annuity industries in 2026.  

The study finds that 2026 is a pivotal year defined by “strategic adaptation” as insurers confront modest GDP growth, a softening labor market, moderating but persistent inflation, evolving investment conditions, and heightened regulatory scrutiny. 

“Insurers in 2026 are operating in an environment where competitive advantage increasingly depends on agility, transparency, and execution,” said Scott Hawkins, a Managing Director and the Head of Insurance Research at Conning. 

“Market growth is slowing, volatility is becoming more attritional, and stakeholders expect stronger governance. The firms that win will be those that can adapt rapidly while maintaining discipline across underwriting, investments, and capital,” added Alan Dobbins, a Director at Conning.  

Key areas covered in the study include: 

  • Macro Environment Drivers — GDP outlook, employment trends, inflation, and regulatory developments.  
  • P&C Market Conditions — Deceleration of premium growth, secondary peril catastrophe pressures, reinsurance market dynamics, cyber risk trends, distribution consolidation, and casualty ILS capital flows.  
  • Life & Annuity Market Forces — Converging product, investment and capital models, continued asset diversification, offshore reinsurance, rising guaranteed income adoption, and medical breakthroughs including GLP1 impacts.  
  • Strategic Actions for 2026 — Proactively invest in technology, talent development, regulatory compliance, and innovative products to successfully adapt and thrive amid uncertainty.   

Insurance Industry Outlook 2026 is available for purchase
 here or contact (888) 707-1711. 

 

 

 

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ABOUT CONNING
Conning (www.conning.com) is a leading investment management firm with a long history of serving the insurance industry. Conning supports institutional investors, including insurers and pension plans, with investment solutions, risk modeling software, and industry research. Founded in 1912, Conning has investment centers in Asia, Europe, and North America. Conning is part of the Generali Group.

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Media Contacts
Conning Insurance Research
860-299-2288
InsuranceResearch@conning.com

 

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