Insurance Europe launches Insurance Matters 2026

Insurance Europe has launched its flagship publication, Insurance Matters 2026, bringing together diverse perspectives on the future of insurance in Europe.

The publication marks a new chapter for Insurance Europe, replacing its traditional annual report with a forward-looking collection of contributions from leading voices in policymaking, regulation, industry and public life.

"Instead of looking backwards, we wanted to look forward," said Director General Thea Utoft Høj Jensen at the launch. "Instead of focusing on ourselves, we wanted to focus on Europe. And instead of speaking with one voice, we wanted to bring together a range of perspectives from people helping to shape the debate."

Industry experts, central bankers, CEOs, a European Commissioner, an MEP, a secretary-general and an Olympic medallist all contribute, approaching Europe's challenges from different angles. Yet as Thea noted, "people approaching Europe's challenges from very different perspectives often highlight many of the same priorities."

Read together, the contributions converge on five connected themes: capital, protection, rules, technology and partnership.

"Insurance plays a vital role in supporting Europe's economy and society, from financing investment and pensions to strengthening resilience, innovation and competitiveness. Yet it is too often viewed only through a regulatory lens," Thea added. "Insurance Matters 2026 is about turning Europe's priorities from ambition to delivery, and the insurance sector is ready to play its part."

The report opens with a foreword from Insurance Europe's President Frédéric de Courtois, who frames confidence as "the invisible capital on which every successful economy depends." Thea follows with her own perspective on turning Europe's priorities into practical delivery.

The report features contributions from:

• Maria Luís Albuquerque, European Commissioner for Financial Services and the Savings and Investments Union, on how the Savings and Investments Union and Solvency II reforms can help connect European savings with productive investment and strengthen competitiveness.
• Nadia Calviño, President of the European Investment Bank, on mobilising investment to support Europe's future growth and innovation.
• Andrew Bailey, Governor of the Bank of England, on financial stability and the growing interconnectedness of modern financial markets.
• Petra Hielkema, Chairperson of EIOPA, on how artificial intelligence and new technologies are reshaping insurance and how innovation can be supported while maintaining trust and appropriate safeguards.
• Mathias Cormann, Secretary-General of the OECD, on closing protection gaps and strengthening resilience through prevention and public-private cooperation.
• Stine Bosse, Member of the European Parliament, on the importance of smarter regulation and simplification that supports competitiveness while maintaining high standards.
• Stephen Frank, President of the Global Federation of Insurance Associations, on the challenge of helping people save for retirement and strengthen long-term financial security.
• Alison Martin, CEO EMEA and Bank Distribution at Zurich Insurance Group, on the role insurers can play in turning long-term savings into investment while helping people prepare for retirement.
• Claire-Marie Coste-Lepoutre, CFO of Allianz SE, on the need for regulatory simplification and a more competitive Europe.
• Thomas Blunck, Chair of Insurance Europe's Reinsurance Advisory Board and Member of the Board of Management at Munich Re, on resilience, prevention and public-private solutions to growing protection gaps.
• Fabian Rupprecht, CEO of Helvetia Baloise Group, on the role of insurance as part of the economic infrastructure that supports growth, investment and confidence.
• Jolien D'hoore, Olympic bronze medallist and Sports Manager of the AG Insurance-Soudal women's cycling team, on resilience, leadership and learning to adapt in the face of uncertainty.

Across the publication, a common message emerges: Europe has the capital, expertise and ideas needed to address its key challenges. The task now is to turn ambition into delivery by strengthening investment, closing protection gaps, making regulation more effective, harnessing technology responsibly and deepening cooperation between policymakers, regulators, insurers and society.

As Thea put it at the launch: "This publication is not about producing another set of ideas. It is about what we do with them."

Read the report here

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