Skip to main content

Finding opportunities in a soft market

A soft market can create challenges for brokers – but also opportunities to uncover new business.

Product Article 1 min Wed, Oct 14, 2026

When rates are under pressure and premiums are moving backwards, growth doesn't have to come from chasing more of the same business. Instead, soft market conditions can create an opportunity to strengthen client relationships, uncover exposures and broaden the value you deliver to clients.

Here are three key points brokers can consider:

  1. Revisiting products that may historically have been difficult to sell

    A soft market is an ideal time to revisit products that have been challenging to place in the past. Coverages such as cyber, intellectual property (IP), product recall and other specialist solutions address real exposures many clients face but may not have received the same focus as core lines.

  2. Building expertise in specialist or emerging risks that competitors may be less comfortable discussing

    As risk landscapes evolve, clients increasingly need guidance on emerging and specialist exposures. Brokers who invest time in understanding these risks can have more informed conversations, identify needs that may otherwise go unaddressed and position themselves as trusted advisers in areas where competitors may be less confident.

  3. Helping clients create broader insurance programmes that focus on long-term protection, not just price

    A soft market can create an opportunity to shift conversations beyond premium alone. While competitive pricing is important, a more robust insurance programme creates greater resilience for businesses by addressing a broader range of exposures. When you've helped a client build a well-rounded programme, discussions are more likely to focus on the overall protection being provided rather than the price of any individual policy.

Ultimately, a soft market creates an opportunity to focus on more than price alone. By identifying overlooked exposures, helping clients retain the protection they genuinely need, and introducing solutions that support their evolving risk profile, brokers can strengthen client relationships, increase share of wallet, and create long-term value for both their clients and their business.

Want to explore opportunities to uncover new business? Speak to your CFC underwriter or explore our product appetite here.

↑