Corporate & Specialty insurer HDI Global has delivered a robust first half of 2026, driven by disciplined underwriting, lower large loss payments, and an increased investment result. In the Middle East, HDI Global Dubai continued to strengthen its regional presence by expanding its specialist capabilities and supporting clients navigating increasingly complex risks across key sectors including infrastructure, construction, energy and cyber.
“Despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty globally, the resilience demonstrated across the UAE and wider GCC has reinforced confidence in the region's long-term growth trajectory,” said Mr Willem van Wyk, Managing Director of HDI Global Dubai in a statement. “Throughout the first half of the year, we continued investing in our people and capabilities, with particular focus on strengthening our Cyber, Power and Construction Risk Engineering expertise.
“As businesses undertake increasingly complex projects and expand across borders, demand continues to grow for multinational insurance programmes and specialist risk solutions that combine technical expertise with deep local market understanding. Our ambition is to help clients and brokers manage these evolving risks while supporting the region's continued economic transformation.”
Financial performance
On a worldwide scale, HDI Global’s 1H2026 insurance revenue remained stable due to currency effects and disciplined underwriting at EUR5.0bn (EUR5.1bn in 1H2025). The insurance service result rose by 8% to EUR465m (EUR430m). Large loss payments amounted to EUR92m (EUR142m), undershooting the pro rata budget for the period, which was recognised in full, by EUR209m.
While NatCat losses remained below budget in the first half of the year, significant man-made losses continued across all industries. The combined ratio of HDI Global improved to 90.7% (91.6%).
The net insurance financial and investment result before currency effects benefited from higher investment volumes and an increase in current interest income, climbing to EUR169m (EUR99m). EBIT was stable at EUR381m (EUR377m), while the division’s contribution to Group net income rose by 7% to EUR292m (EUR274m). Across the GCC, investment activity has remained resilient despite heightened geopolitical uncertainty.
“Looking ahead, we remain highly optimistic about the opportunities across the UAE and the wider Middle East,” Mr van Wyk said. “Our Xcelerate29 strategy provides a clear roadmap to further strengthen our product capabilities and expand our presence across key growth areas, including Cyber, Power, Energy and Construction.”