Joanne Madrid is a reporter at (Re)in Asia, known for data features and analysis on how technology and climate are reshaping the region's insurance markets. Areas of specialty include insurtech and AI adoption, cyber and climate risk, and the premium and results data moving markets including India, Korea and Hong Kong.
AI’s payback period may be longer than expected, as costs, timelines and benefits remain difficult to separate and quantify, industry experts said at ITC Asia.
Insurers will need to adopt AI, geospatial tools and specialist partnerships as conventional underwriting models struggle to keep pace with fast-evolving risks, says Japan's NTT Data.
The AI Cohort Symposium 2026 saw first-batch participants report gains across underwriting, claims and customer service, while newcomers Manulife, BOC Life and China Life unveiled new plans.
Standalone health premiums surged 31.7%, outpacing the broader market as rising medical costs and expanding healthcare coverage continued to drive demand
Industry underwriting profits jumped 34% year-on-year as property lines recovered from catastrophe losses, while cyber led premium growth and motor remained profitable.
