2026 regulatory priories for insurance

As regulation, customer expectations and technology collide, 2026 is a tipping point for UK insurers. 
This isn’t a year for better narratives — it’s a year for measurable proof. 

The FCA’s focus on Consumer Duty and fair value is sharpening: insurers must show where value is genuinely delivered, where it isn’t, and how they intervene before foreseeable harm occurs — especially for vulnerable customers. 

At the same time, stress testing and solvent exit planning are moving from policy to practice. Regulators want evidence that firms can withstand real-world shocks — and protect customers if pressure escalates. 

And with AI and digital distribution accelerating, innovation must come with accountability: clear ownership, explainability, resilience and outcomes baked in from design to deployment. 

In this video, Manav Soni explores the key themes shaping the UK insurance sector in 2026, and what insurers must do to move beyond compliance — proving fair value, resilience and trust in practice.