Backchat: October 2026

Jetsetting to the future

With the next generation of insurance distribution on UK general insurance’s doorstep – such as embedded insurance, super apps and artificial intelligence (AI) platforms like ChatGPT – are insurers fully ready to integrate their current practices with these new tools entering the market? And how will such new distribution channels impact travel insurance products themselves?

These were some of the questions tackled during the opening panel of the Innovate This conference on 22 September 2026, held at Convene 133 Houndsditch in London and organised by the Travel and Health Insurance Series (This).

This opening panel discussion was chaired by Insurance Times content director Katie Scott and also featured Robin Diligent, chief executive at Waniwani, Chiew Ling Koot, chief strategy officer at Tune Protect Group and Jonas von Oldenskiöld, head of partnerships at Qover.

The main takeaway from the session was that although the underlying tools are very much in place to start utilising next generation distribution, insurers themselves are not quite ready to throw themselves in, with data being a primary market concern.

London’s burning

UK charity the Insurance Museum is collaborating with the Bank of England Museum this month to host a joint exhibition, entitled ’After the fire: Insurance, finance and a rebuilt city’.

Running between 5 October and 27 November 2026, the exhibition aims to explore a distinct moment in the 18th century when modern insurance, global trade and central banking first emerged in the City of London.

Contributing to the installation are exhibition design firm Mr.creative studio and illustrator and printmaker Alice Pattullo. The exhibition will feature a large scale street scene depicting London around 1700, an interior reconstruction of Edward Lloyd’s Coffee House and displays revealing more about the people living and working in London during this period.

All aboard

Insurance Times reporter Harriet Scott received a unique insight into the impact engineering know-how can have beyond insurance inspection processes this month when she visited former Royal Navy vessel and current museum ship the HMS Belfast with insurer Zurich.

Chatting with the firm’s head of engineering development Jason Knowles and head of regional markets for the Midlands and south west Georgina Davis, Scott got a better understanding of how engineering knowledge can contribute to risk management strategies and operational resilience, while also enjoying a tour of the historic cruiser and scenic London views.

The power of networking

Insurance Times content director Katie Scott joined artificial intelligence (AI) powered firm Shift Technology’s Women in Insurance Network last month (24 September 2026) for a group coaching session on building a professional reputation and the power of intentional networking.

This marked the third people focused coaching afternoon Shift had hosted for its female led network, with the business aiming to use these types of event to create a “community space” for female insurance professions to learn “about other women’s experiences and [talk] openly”, according to Laura Horrocks, Shift’s customer success manager.

Held at WeWork’s Aviation House in Holborn, speakers at September’s gathering included personal and business coach Gemma Brown and Joanna Butler, director of product marketing at Shift Technology.