Insurance Times Advent Calendar: David Kelly

Open your advent calendar below!

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What was your insurance industry highlight of 2025?

Seeing data and intelligence finally move from nice-to-have to non-negotiable in UK personal lines has been the standout highlight.

After years of pricing turbulence, claims inflation and regulatory scrutiny, 2025 felt like the year insurers and brokers genuinely embraced smart use of enrichment, propensity and retention insight to create fairer, more transparent outcomes for customers.

For us at Percayso, the growth in collaborative partnerships, for example integrations with core platforms to make enriched data and analytics available from quote to claim, showed the market leaning into innovation rather than just talking about it.

What is your Christmas message for your insurance colleagues?

We work in an industry that quietly keeps cars on the road, roofs over heads and pets cared for when things go wrong.

As we head into 2026, let’s build on doing the right thing – using data responsibly, pricing fairly, supporting vulnerable customers and backing innovation that genuinely improves the experience for policyholders, not just the P&L.

What do you hope to find under the industry’s Christmas tree for 2026?

I’d love to unwrap three things. First, a sustainable personal motor market where claims inflation, repair costs and pricing are finally in balance so insurers can make a fair return without constant rate shocks for consumers.

Second, a step-change in the quality and speed of claims handling, supported by better data sharing and automation, so customers feel the benefit of all the innovation we talk about.

And third, a genuine culture of collaboration between insurers, brokers, MGAs and insurtechs so that new ideas and innovations reach the market faster and deliver real value in UK personal lines.

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