Economist Impact analysis:
Four insurance futures for 2040
Economist Impact has identified four distinct scenarios that will reshape the industry by 2040. Which of these futures are you ready to lead?
The $1.8 trillion trust challenge
Economist Impact research: Trust impacts protection gap
Lack of trust in the insurance industry remains the critical barrier to closing the protection gap. Economist Impact reveals how trust could be the key to unlocking massive growth.
Answer: 77%
Lack of trust isn’t abstract – it’s personal.
When people feel uncertain, underserved or disconnected from insurers, trust erodes. And without trust, even the best products can fall short. Building stronger relationships and clearer communication is essential to closing the gap.
What percentage of insurance leaders identified a lack of trust as a significant barrier to closing the protection gap?
Answer: 76%
Trust isn’t just a barrier – it’s a business opportunity.
Closing the 1.8 trillion protection gap means reaching new markets, but that only happens if people believe in the product. For insurers ready to lead, rebuilding trust could be the biggest growth lever of all.
What percentage of insurance leaders see closing the protection gap as a significant business growth driver?
From research to results
Economist Impact insights + SAS solutions
The Economist Impact study highlights where insurers are investing to stay competitive – from advanced analytics and AI to customer trust and climate resilience.
Answer: All of the above!
SAS delivers the technology to turn which of the following priorities into action?
Insurance leaders – your defining moment is here
The global insurance landscape is at a historic turning point. Climate risks, cyber threats and AI innovation are reshaping what’s possible. In collaboration with SAS, Economist Impact surveyed 500+ insurance leaders to reveal how they’re navigating these unprecedented changes.
Global Protection Gap Soars
The uninsured risk gap reached US$1.8 trillion in 2022 – a 33% increase in just 10 years.
AI Changes the Game
Nearly half (46%) of insurance leaders rank GenAI as critical to staying competitive.
Climate: Risk or Opportunity?
While 43% see climate as a top risk, 25% view it as a growth opportunity.
Bridging the trust gap
Building trust is key to unlocking business opportunities in insurance today.
76%
76% recognize it as a significant business growth driver.
79%
79% of leaders view closing the protection gap as an ethical duty.
2040 INSURANCE SCENARIOS
Economist Impact Briefing Report
This future-focused analysis outlines the distinct paths insurance could take by 2040:
- How climate adaptation will shape new product lines.
- Which AI capabilities will define industry winners.
- How trust dynamics will reshape customer engagement.
- Where protection gaps will spark billion-dollar innovations.
This provides critical insight for leaders designing long-term strategy in a rapidly evolving world.
READY TO DIVE INTO THE INSIGHTS?
Economist Impact Survey Report
Explore the landmark study that reveals how 500+ global insurance leaders are addressing:
- The $1.8 trillion protection gap as untapped market potential.
- Generative AI’s role in shaping operational performance.
- Climate risk as both a threat and an opportunity.
- Trust barriers as growth blockers.
This is essential reading for insurance leaders ready to turn disruption into growth.
IS AI LIVING UP TO THE HYPE IN INSURANCE?
Underwriting the future: The role of artificial intelligence in insurance
Insurers are seeing early gains from AI – but transformation remains elusive. This Economist Impact report, based on global executive roundtables, reveals what’s working, what’s stalling progress and why agentic AI may reshape the industry faster than expected.
Putting insurance’s future into focus
Deepen your knowledge on the history and importance of AI and learn about insurance analytics solutions from SAS.