GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – September 15, 2026 – Acrisure®, a global fintech leader, today released its latest Market Pulse report, which reinforced that small businesses are following a different path than the broader insurance market, adopting specialty insurance solutions more gradually and remaining more likely to return to traditional coverage over time. The report analyzes renewal data across thousands of insured businesses, highlighting the distinct ways small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) are responding to changing market conditions.
Powered by Auris℠, Acrisure's proprietary AI-driven technology platform, Market Pulse provides a unique view into the insurance trends affecting the SMB sector and actionable insights into the evolving financial services landscape.
“It’s not surprising that small businesses navigate market changes differently than the broader insurance market, creating a more nuanced environment for business owners evaluating coverage options,” said Matt Schweinzger, President, North America Insurance, Acrisure. "Risk continues to move between admitted and surplus lines, and as market conditions change, staying ahead of shifts can help business owners better prepare for renewals, manage risk, and help future-proof their business.”
Pricing Remains Resilient, but Signs of Softening Are Emerging. SMB general liability pricing remained resilient through early 2026, though the pace of rate increases moderated compared to late 2025, signaling early signs of market softening.
SMBs Move into the Excess and Surplus (E&S) Lines Market at a Slower Pace. The shift toward the E&S market has been more gradual among SMBs, with adoption showing signs of slowing down. Several factors may be contributing to this trend, including more stable or less complex risk profiles among many SMBs, as well as evolving market conditions that have created opportunities for some businesses in the E&S market to return to traditional coverage.
Insurance Market Changes Often Mean Carrier Changes. Fewer than 1% of SMB policies moving between admitted and E&S markets remained with the same carrier, highlighting the growing role of carrier movement in today’s insurance landscape.
Many Businesses Return to Traditional Insurance Markets. A meaningful share of SMB business returns to admitted markets over time as business and coverage needs evolve.
"We're seeing a continued movement of business between markets and between carriers," said Simon Hedley, CEO of Acrisure Re. "As companies reevaluate coverage solutions, it's important to understand that risk isn't simply flowing in one direction. This report highlights where buyers are finding greater choice, where carrier appetite is strengthening and how those shifts are influencing placement strategies across the market."
Acrisure's Market Pulse is a tool that examines the trends, market dynamics and risk movements shaping the SMB insurance market. Read the full report at https://www.acrisure.com/blog/acrisure-market-pulse-q2-bulletin-2026 for the latest data and insights.
About Acrisure
A global fintech leader, Acrisure empowers millions of ambitious businesses and individuals with the solutions to grow boldly forward. Bringing cutting-edge technology and top-tier human support together, it connects clients with personalized solutions across a range of insurance, reinsurance, payroll, benefits, cybersecurity, real estate services – and beyond. Since 2013, Acrisure has grown in revenue from $38 million to ~$5 billion and employs ~20,000 colleagues in 19 countries. And this is just the beginning. To learn more, visit Acrisure.com.
