At the start of the year, we shared a few thoughts on where we saw the P&C industry heading in 2025. Six months later, that momentum hasn’t let up, and for the carriers leaning into change, the payoff is becoming real.
Technology continues to shape every part of the insurance lifecycle. The carriers making the most progress are those leaning into that evolution with a strategic, flexible mindset.
Across the board, we’re seeing companies get serious about modernizing in ways that drive business value. The three biggest focus areas? System performance, cloud migration, and the early (but growing) adoption of AI. Here’s a look at how those trends are shaping up so far and what they mean for the road ahead.
System Optimization: Squeezing More Out of What You’ve Got
Whether teams are prepping for a major upgrade or staying the course for now, the push to clean up and optimize existing systems has become a top priority.
There’s a clear focus on getting more out of what’s already in place: faster performance, cleaner configurations, and fewer customizations that slow things down.
Conformance reviews, health checks, and infrastructure audits aren’t just IT hygiene anymore. They’re business enablers - especially in a year where every dollar and every hour counts.
But here’s the catch: technology alone doesn’t solve problems. Execution does.
Cloud Migration: Less Lift and Shift, More Smart Planning
We’ve worked with a number of carriers this year on cloud initiatives, many of them focused on Duck Creek OnDemand. What stands out is the shift in mindset. Cloud isn’t new, but how carriers approach it has changed.
It’s no longer about just getting there. It’s about how you get there. The most successful migrations we’ve seen are rooted in real planning: readiness assessments, cleanup work, stakeholder alignment, and clear internal ownership.
Our Flight Plan framework was designed exactly for this, because cloud success isn’t just about the destination. It’s about how well you set up the journey.
AI: From Buzzword to Business Tool
AI has officially moved beyond the hype cycle. We’re seeing real use cases gain traction: from decision support in claims to conversational tools that streamline service.
But the lesson here isn’t just about what AI can do. It’s about what organizations are ready for. Success depends on having clean data, clear governance, and cross-functional buy-in. The insurers making progress aren’t waiting for the perfect scenario. They’re testing, learning, and building the muscle as they go.
Looking Ahead
Change may not happen overnight, but the forces shaping the first half of 2025 aren’t slowing down anytime soon. What we’re seeing gives us a lot of confidence: carriers making smarter decisions, prioritizing the right things, and investing in their future with a little more clarity and a lot more urgency.
Whether you’re optimizing, migrating, or just figuring out your next step, we’re here to help you move forward with strategy, speed, and the right team in your corner.
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