Finance
European insurer stocks slide after US brokers selloff on AI concerns
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 10, 2026
1 min readLast updated: February 10, 2026
Quick Summary
European insurer stocks fell after US brokers sold off due to AI concerns. The STOXX 600 Insurance index dropped 1.9%, with major firms like Hiscox and AXA affected.
European Insurers Experience Stock Decline Following US Broker Selloff
Impact of AI on Insurance Stocks
MILAN, Feb 10 - European insurance stocks fell sharply on Tuesday as investors reacted to a selloff in U.S. insurance brokers, triggered by concerns that new artificial intelligence tools could accelerate disruption in the sector.
US Broker Selloff Details
Shares in top U.S. brokers Willis Towers Watson, Aon and Arthur J. Gallagher slumped between 9% and 12% on Monday after online insurance platform Insurify released an AI‑powered comparison tool built on ChatGPT.
Market Reactions in Europe
A trader said the U.S. market lagged the UK in adopting price‑comparison sites though added that investors still underestimated the risks AI could pose to European insurers.Europe’s STOXX 600 Insurance fell as much as 1.9% by 0837 GMT, the biggest sector decliner in the region, while the broader STOXX 600 slipped 0.1%.
Notable Stock Declines
Among the steepest fallers were Hiscox, Mapfre, Admiral, Aviva and AXA, all down between 2% and 3%. The S&P 500 Insurance Index fell 3.9% on Monday, the biggest drop since October 2025.
(Reporting by Danilo Masoni, editing by Alun John )
Key Takeaways
- •European insurance stocks fell sharply following a US broker selloff.
- •AI tools are causing concerns about disruption in the insurance sector.
- •US brokers like Willis Towers Watson saw significant stock declines.
- •European STOXX 600 Insurance index dropped by 1.9%.
- •Major European insurers like Hiscox and AXA experienced stock declines.
Frequently Asked Questions about European insurer stocks slide after US brokers selloff on AI concerns
1What is artificial intelligence (AI)?
Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines programmed to think and learn like humans, enabling them to perform tasks such as problem-solving and decision-making.
2What are insurance stocks?
Insurance stocks are shares of companies that provide insurance services. Investors buy these stocks to gain exposure to the insurance industry and potentially profit from its growth.
3What is a stock market selloff?
A stock market selloff occurs when a large number of investors sell their shares simultaneously, often leading to a significant drop in stock prices across the market.
