Commercial insurers view risk digitisation as key area for investment

Commercial insurers view risk digitisation as their primary technological priority, new figures have revealed.

Risk digitisation refers to the use of digital technologies and processes to improve risk management effectiveness and efficiency.

Data published by Cytora today (26 March 2025) revealed that 79% of commercial insurers rated risk digitisation – encompassing new business, renewals, claims and mid-term adjustments – as the technology they was most likely to invest in over the upcoming two years.

Respondents rated revenue growth (22%), higher transaction volume (19%) and improved service to brokers and customers (17%) as the major drivers for potential investment.

Richard Hartley, chief executive at Cytora, said: “Insurers that effectively harness and scale artificial intelligence (AI) to digitise risk workflows will have an enduring and growing advantage in the years ahead.

“Risk digitisation unlocks the path to a zero marginal cost operating model, progressively decoupling premium growth from expense growth and reinforcing decision-advantage.”

AI initiatives

Cytora polled 200 commercial insurance professionals from the UK and US between 24 February 2025 and 5 March 2025.

The data also revealed that professionals predict an increase in spend in AI initiatives over 2025.

Some 26% of respondents reported that their firm had invested at least £500,000 in AI initiatives over the past year, with 11% reporting a spend of over £1m.

Looking ahead to 2025, 28% predicted a spend of over £500,000 and 17% predicted a spend over £1m.