This week in insurance: Asia reinsurance prices fall, Middle East tensions raise risk, insurers roll out AI and legacy products

Ongoing conflict in the Middle East is increasing operational and insurance pressures.

The insurance and reinsurance sector saw rising geopolitical risk pressures—particularly from the Middle East—alongside continued optimism in trade growth, and a wave of product launches, this week from 13 to 17 April.

Reinsurance prices in Asia and India fell during the April 1 renewal season as an increase in capital created excess capacity in the market. 

According to a report from Guy Carpenter, approximately $1b of Asia reinsurance premiums and all reinsurance treaties in India were up for renewal during this period. 

The conflict in the Middle East is increasing pressure on trade credit insurance and risk assessment, even as most companies continue to expect export growth in 2026, according to the Allianz Trade Global Survey.

Based on a survey of 6,000 companies across 13 markets, Allianz Trade said 75% of exporters still expect positive export growth this year.

Ongoing conflict in the Middle East is increasing operational and insurance pressures for airlines across Asia, according to Aon.

In a statement dated 9 April 2026, Stephen Rudman, head of Marine and Regional Aviation Lead, Asia at Aon, said the situation is creating a more complex risk environment, particularly affecting flight operations and cost structures.

Whilst 81% of respondents are concerned their wealth may not be preserved beyond the next generation, only 18% said they are fully prepared with legacy arrangements. 

Just 6% have completed and communicated their plans, and 25% have no arrangements in place. In line with this, Sun Life of Canada (Philippines) has launched the Sun Life Premier Legacy, as it seeks to capture growing demand for wealth transfer and legacy planning solutions.

Ping An Insurance (Group) announced major upgrades to its artificial intelligence (AI)‑powered Express Service and Global Emergency Assistance, marking the launch of its "Service Year 2026" initiative.

Powered by AI, Express Service streamlines complex service processes across multiple apps and scenarios, providing customers with a single access point to complete transactions, financing, claims and urgent requests using one sentence.

Crédit Agricole CIB Japan and Crédit Agricole Life Insurance Japan, both Crédit Agricole Group’s entities, today announced the inauguration of their new office at Azabudai Hills Mori JP Tower.

The new office brings together over 350 employees from Crédit Agricole CIB and Crédit Agricole Life Insurance in Japan, in a modern, energy-efficient workplace on the 50th floor of the building.