A new survey commissioned by AXIS Capital, conducted by The Harris Poll, reveals a concerning trend of rising stress and anxiety among professionals in the insurance sector, with many feeling that the industry is falling short in addressing mental health needs.
The survey, fielded in April 2025, underscores the growing mental health challenges faced by insurance employees, particularly in light of the ongoing pressures stemming from economic volatility, geopolitical tensions, extreme weather events and technological disruptions, like AI.
The findings, based on interviews with 405 full-time insurance professionals in the US and the UK, reveal widespread concern about the impact of these pressures on mental wellbeing, with nearly nine in 10 respondents, or 88%, acknowledging stress and anxiety as significant issues within the industry.
The survey also found that nearly eight in 10, or 77%, of insurance employees sought mental health support in the past year. Younger employees were notably more likely to seek help, with 82% of those aged 18 to 34 and 81% of those aged 34 to 44 reporting they had done so. In contrast, just 64% of employees aged 45 and older sought support.
The data also reveals that stress levels are climbing in line with increasing workloads, particularly in the UK. There, 82% of employees reported higher stress and anxiety over the past 12 months, compared to 60% in the US. Similarly, 84% of UK respondents and 69% of US respondents said their workload had increased during the period.
While mental health resources exist within the industry, the survey suggests they are often underused or undervalued.
Although 80% of respondents felt that mental health is not prioritised enough in the insurance sector compared to other industries, many employees are dissatisfied with the mental health support provided by their employers. Just 64% of respondents said they were satisfied with the mental health resources offered by their companies.
Flexible work arrangements (53%), mental health days (45%), and financial wellness programs (43%) were identified as the most helpful benefits, yet nearly half (46%) of UK insurance employees said they were unable to manage their stress and anxiety with their employer-provided benefits. This contrasts with just 22% of US employees feeling similarly unsupported.
The survey findings suggest that employees are calling for more empathy, open communication and improved mental health benefits in the workplace.
Lisa Pariot, chief people officer at AXIS, commented on the data, stating: “The data clearly shows that our colleagues are seeking empathy, open communication and benefits regarding mental health needs in the workplace.”
The research also revealed a significant gap in mental health conversations. About 76% of employees, including 87% in the UK and 72% in the US, believe that mental health issues are not discussed enough in the insurance industry.
In response to the survey findings, AXIS Capital said it is taking steps to address mental health within the industry. According to the company, it has scaled up internal programs aimed at promoting mental health and wellbeing, including offering a Wellbeing/Mental Health Day as paid time off for employees.
The company also said it is expanding its educational resources to better support its workforce’s mental health needs.
