By Josh Recamara
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) has welcomed Travelers Europe as its newest partner, strengthening ties between one of the world’s largest property and casualty insurers and the UK broker community.
Travelers Europe, part of The Travelers Companies, provides a wide range of commercial insurance solutions across the UK and Ireland. Headquartered in London, the insurer combines local underwriting expertise with global financial strength to help businesses manage complex risks. The partnership will enable Travelers to work more closely with brokers and BIBA members, particularly as insurance distribution and customer needs continue to evolve.
A valuable addition
BIBA chief executive Graeme Trudgill (pictured) said Travelers’ specialist expertise will be a valuable addition to the association’s network and will support the development of new broker relationships. He noted that Travelers’ long-standing collaboration with brokers aligns with BIBA’s goal of fostering stronger partnerships and advancing professional standards across the market.
Ben Gilbert, head of distribution operations and strategy at Travelers, said the partnership reinforces Travelers’ commitment to the broker community and reflects its focus on working with regional brokers to meet the evolving needs of UK businesses. The collaboration, he added, provides a platform to exchange insights and drive better outcomes for customers.
A growing UK travel insurance market
The partnership comes at a time when the UK travel insurance market is expanding steadily following a post-pandemic rebound in overseas travel.
The sector is valued at about US$2.2 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to US$3.5 billion to 4.2 billion by 2030 to 2033, according to industry reports. Around 78% of outbound UK travellers are now insured, reflecting a resurgence in demand for protection against medical emergencies, trip cancellations and travel disruptions.
The rise is being fuelled by higher travel volumes, greater health-risk awareness and the acceleration of digital distribution channels. Single-trip policies still dominate, but annual multi-trip and specialist covers for longer stays or high-risk travel are gaining traction.
At the same time, the market faces pressure on profitability as competition intensifies. Insurers must distinguish themselves through policy transparency, digital service quality and efficient claims handling, particularly for customers with pre-existing conditions. The need for tailored underwriting has also increased as insurers manage risks associated with longer trips, geopolitical uncertainty and higher medical costs abroad.
Both an opportunity and a challenge
For UK insurers and brokers, the expanding travel insurance market presents both opportunity and challenge. The growing volume of policies is creating a more competitive environment that rewards digital innovation and customer-centric service models.
Insurers are expected to continue investing in technology to improve claims processing, risk pricing and product flexibility, while brokers will play an essential role in helping customers navigate complex coverage options. Partnerships like that between Travelers Europe and BIBA could therefore strengthen collaboration across the sector, supporting brokers as they respond to changing travel behaviours and rising consumer expectations.