Insurance Forward

Economist Impact reveals four futures that will reshape insurance.

Which one will define your strategy?

Economist Impact report cover

Economist Impact reveals:

A turning point in global insurance

At a moment of historic disruption, Economist Impact, in partnership with SAS, surveyed 500+ insurance leaders worldwide to uncover how today’s most successful insurers are redefining resilience, growth and trust.

   

The US$1.8 trillion coverage crisis

The uninsured risk gap in 2022 reached $1.8 trillion – a 33% increase in just 10 years.

   

The AI tipping point

46% of insurance leaders say advanced AI is critical to staying competitive.

   

Climate risk or opportunity?

43% see climate as a top risk, while 25% view it as a growth opportunity.

Economist Impact reveals:

A turning point in global insurance

At a moment of historic disruption, Economist Impact, in partnership with SAS, surveyed 500+ insurance leaders worldwide to uncover how today’s most successful insurers are redefining resilience, growth and trust.

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?

One
Two
Three
Four

Scenario 1

Fragmented markets

Navigating complexity through global collaboration.

Explore how insurers can navigate fragmented markets and drive global collaboration.

Which future will you 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.

What percentage of insurance leaders identified a lack of trust as a significant barrier to closing the protection gap?

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Take a guess

What percentage of insurance leaders see closing the protection gap as a significant business growth driver?

percent

Reveal answer

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.

SAS delivers the technology to turn which of the following priorities into action?

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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

Data at-a-glance

Want a quick rundown of the survey report? See the insights in a quick, colorful snapshot.

See the data

Delve into the data yourself in our interactive dashboard and find out what 500+ insurance leaders think.

Webinar spotlight

Four Futures of Insurance: Strategic Insights from Economist Impact Research

Join our panel of experts for a discussion of the groundbreaking Economist Impact research.

Insurance blogs: Insights that matter

Ready for insurance tech that delivers results? Dive into our blogs, where industry experts explore how analytics and AI are driving real-world success for your business. Discover the practical innovations that make insurance smarter, faster and more human.

Dynamic Actuarial Modeling: Unlock the Future of Insurance

Ready to see results from your actuarial investments? The SAS Actuarial Modeling Hub is your gateway to using AI-powered tools for transforming insurance processes.

Deepen your knowledge on the history and importance of AI and learn about insurance analytics solutions from SAS.