Partnerships between insurers and non-traditional technology and service providers are expected to play an increasingly important role in shaping future insurance offerings, according to a survey conducted by GlobalData, a leading intelligence and productivity platform.
A GlobalData poll, conducted on Life Insurance International and concluded in Q1 2026, found that 41.1% of respondents identified partnerships between health insurers and mental health and wellness apps as the most important non-traditional collaboration over the next three years, reflecting growing demand for preventative and value-added services.
The findings highlight a broader shift within the insurance sector toward more proactive engagement with policyholders and enhanced risk prevention. As insurers seek to move beyond traditional protection models, partnerships that enable earlier intervention and continuous monitoring are becoming increasingly important. This trend reflects growing recognition that preventative services can help improve customer outcomes while also reducing long-term claims costs.
Charlie Hutcherson, Insurance Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Insurers are increasingly recognizing the value of partnerships that enable more proactive risk management and continuous customer engagement. Collaborations with mental health and wellness platforms, in particular, allow insurers to support preventative healthcare initiatives while also improving customer retention and reducing long-term claims exposure. As customer expectations evolve, insurers that integrate value-added services into their offerings will be better positioned to differentiate themselves in a competitive market.”
GlobalData’s poll also identified partnerships with climate technology companies as a key strategic priority, with 35.6% of respondents citing these collaborations as most important. As climate-related risks become more frequent and severe, insurers are increasingly leveraging external expertise and infrastructure to better assess and mitigate exposure. These partnerships enable insurers to strengthen their risk modelling capabilities and support resilience efforts, while also positioning themselves to address emerging environmental challenges.
Other partnership types were viewed as less critical but still strategically relevant. For example, 13.7% of respondents identified partnerships between motor insurers and mobility service providers, such as rideshare and micromobility platforms, as important. Meanwhile, 6.8% highlighted collaborations between home insurers and IoT device providers and smart home manufacturers, which can improve risk monitoring and enable earlier detection of potential losses. These partnerships reflect insurers’ efforts to adapt to technological change and evolving customer behaviours across different lines of business.
Hutcherson concludes: “Partnerships with climate technology providers and digital infrastructure firms will also play a key role in helping insurers strengthen their risk assessment capabilities and respond to emerging challenges. As climate risk and technological disruption continue to reshape the insurance landscape, insurers that leverage external expertise and real-time data insights will be better equipped to enhance operational efficiency and maintain long-term profitability. These collaborations will be critical in supporting the industry’s transition toward more preventative, data-driven insurance models.”
