HDI Global has unveiled a new four-year strategy that will see the German insurer step up its push into speciality lines and expand internationally, including in Southeast Asia, according to a company press release on Wednesday.
Unveiling its 2026–2029 roadmap, branded Xcelerate29, the corporate & specialty insurer said it will sharpen its international footprint in selected growth regions while strengthening technical excellence across underwriting, claims and investments.
A key focus is North America, as well as dynamic growth regions such as South East Asia and the Middle East. “The United States, as the world’s largest insurance market, is a central lever for growth for us,” said Dr Edgar Puls, chief executive officer of HDI Global.
“Alongside expanding our presence there, we also intend to strengthen our global position in the specialty segment, for example, in aviation, crisis management, surety and credit insurance”, Puls added.
Asia and specialty growth in focus
HDI currently operates 30 owned entities worldwide and provides services in more than 175 countries, positioning itself as a major provider of managed international programmes.
For Asian markets, the strategy signals increased appetite for complex corporate and specialty risks, particularly where multinational programme capabilities are required.
“We are embedding innovation in our core processes and investing selectively in regions and lines where we create the greatest added value for our clients, brokers, and investors,” Puls said.
Earlier in the year, the company opened a representative office in Seoul, Korea, as part of its strategy to grow its presence in the Asia-Pacific region.
Technical discipline and AI integration
Beyond geographic growth, Xcelerate29 places strong emphasis on underwriting discipline and operational consistency. The insurer will continue to harmonise underwriting and claims standards globally, supported by data-driven frameworks.
“Our established Underwriting Excellence framework sets clear guardrails for technical quality across all market phases,” Puls noted, adding that consistent underwriting discipline underpins long-term client partnerships.
Artificial intelligence will play a growing role across the value chain. HDI said AI-supported risk analysis, automated document processing and intelligent claims models are being implemented to enhance efficiency and consistency. However, decision-making authority will remain with underwriters and claims professionals.
The new plan builds on solid recent performance. In 2024, HDI Global surpassed €10bn (approx. US$11.83bn) in insurance revenue for the first time and lifted EBIT by 57% year-on-year, with a combined ratio of 90.0%, the company said.
