Published on March 31, 2026
At a time when parts of the insurance market remain unsettled, Artes’ recent visit to the US was driven by a clear objective: to spend time with distribution partners and insurers, listen carefully to their priorities, and reaffirm long-term commitment to the market. Rather than focusing solely on major financial centres, the trip covered a broad geographic spread — reflecting where Artes’ clients and partners actually operate. That approach is deliberate. As our CEO, Chris Thomas, explains: “It’s not about turning up in the obvious places. It’s about going to see people where they are, understanding their reality, and making sure we’re solving the right problems.”
A pragmatic market, not a pessimistic one
The overall mood among brokers and insurers was pragmatic rather than pessimistic. While the US casualty market continues to face sustained pressure — driven by nuclear verdicts, litigation trends, and ongoing challenges across auto and general liability — there was little appetite for alarmism.
Instead, conversations focused on certainty, clarity, and consistency. In a market where capacity can shift quickly and pricing remains volatile, partners are increasingly selective about who they work with and why.
As our Chief Underwriting Officer, Richard Brown, notes: “No one we spoke to was chasing short-term wins. What people want is confidence that the product will still be there next year, and the year after.”
Brokers prioritising certainty over cost
For brokers, the priority is helping clients navigate complexity rather than simply finding the cheapest option. Rising asset values, increasingly sophisticated construction projects, and more demanding timelines mean that coverage quality and claims capability matter more than ever.
A recurring theme was the need for consistency — of pricing, coverage, and underwriting approach — particularly in specialist sectors where transactional insurance simply doesn’t work. “You don’t have to be the cheapest,” says Chris. “But you do have to be clear, consistent, and credible — especially when clients are making long-term investment decisions.”
That requirement becomes even more pronounced in a softening market, where capacity may be plentiful but commitment is not always assured.
Insurers cautious, but still seeking opportunity
From the insurer perspective, caution remains front of mind — particularly around casualty exposure — but so does the need to deploy capital intelligently. Many insurers are acutely aware of the risks of competing aggressively in crowded segments during softer phases of the market cycle.
Instead, there is growing interest in diversification through specialist portfolios that are well-understood, well-managed, and supported by experienced underwriting teams. Artes’ role, as an MGA operating in technically complex niches, is to bridge that gap — providing insurers with access to risks they would not typically reach through traditional distribution channels.
Technology, algorithms and the limits of automation
Another theme that surfaced during conversations was the growing focus on algorithmic underwriting and AI-driven tools across parts of the market. While there is broad recognition that technology can improve efficiency and data handling, there was also caution around over-simplification — particularly in complex, specialist risks.
Several discussions returned to the same point: judgement, context, and long-term relationships do not translate easily into algorithms. Decisions based purely on historical data or automated thresholds risk reinforcing short-term thinking and reducing flexibility just when it is needed most.
As Chris Thomas observes, “Technology should support underwriting, not replace it. In specialist lines, you’re underwriting the people and the business as much as the asset — and that requires experience, context, and continuity.”
Rather than viewing AI as a threat, the conversations reinforced the importance of using technology thoughtfully — as a tool to enhance decision-making, not remove it.
Data centres, distribution hubs and downstream exposure
One area that came up repeatedly during the trip was the continued expansion of data centres and large-scale distribution hubs across the US — and, more specifically, the risks that sit around those projects rather than at the headline construction level.
While much of the industry focus is understandably on the main build and the consortium-led insurance structures supporting it, brokers and contractors are increasingly concerned about downstream exposure. High-value components such as transformers, battery systems, specialist plant, and prefabricated modules are often stored, handled, and moved multiple times before installation. In many cases, those assets sit outside traditional construction policies for extended periods.
As project scale increases, so does concentration risk. Storage locations hold higher values than ever before, logistics timelines are tighter, and lifting operations are more complex. Any delay, damage, or loss can have a disproportionate impact on project schedules and contractual obligations.
“These projects aren’t going away,” Chris explains. “Regardless of economic cycles, demand for digital infrastructure continues. What’s often overlooked is the exposure carried by the businesses operating around those sites — the contractors, riggers, and logistics providers who are handling extremely valuable equipment long before it ever reaches the build phase.”
For many brokers, the challenge is ensuring coverage keeps pace with reality. Standard limits and wordings are not always designed to respond to the scale and complexity now involved. That has led to increased focus on specialist, bolt-on solutions that reflect how these risks are actually structured and managed on the ground.
From Artes’ perspective, this reinforces the importance of specialist underwriting rooted in operational understanding. Protecting those involved in the construction and supply chain of data centres requires more than capacity — it requires clarity around values, movements, responsibilities, and accumulation risk.
Long-term partnership still matters
Perhaps the most consistent message from the trip was the value placed on long-term partnership. In a market where capacity can enter and exit quickly, continuity stands out.
The visit reinforced that visibility matters — not just during growth phases, but during periods of change. Showing up, listening, and responding thoughtfully remains one of the most effective ways to build trust.
As Richard adds: “The biggest takeaway for us was reassurance. Partners want us to keep doing what we’re doing — stay disciplined, stay visible, and keep improving the product.”
Reinforcing Artes’ approach
For Artes, the trip reaffirmed that its approach — specialist underwriting, disciplined growth, and sustained partnership — is not only relevant but increasingly valued in a complex US market.
The conversations reinforced that while market cycles come and go, the fundamentals remain the same: clarity of purpose, consistency of delivery, and the willingness to engage meaningfully with partners on the ground.
In that sense, the trip wasn’t about changing direction — it was about confirming it.