Growing consumerism, the globalisation of supply chains, the emergence of new technologies and the need to innovate are driving an increase in product liability claims globally.

This is amongst the findings of Global Insurance Law Connect’s first Product Liability Report, providing insights and forecasts from 17 countries on product liability insurance in local markets.

Gillian Davidson, GILC’s chair and partner at Sparke Helmore, commented: “These current and future trends in claims globally stem from a combination of consumer and regulatory pressures. While modernisation and innovation are increasingly important factors in today’s consumer society, at the same time, concerns around privacy and environmental preservation are also front of mind for many consumers. Alongside this, the growing body of legislation affording greater consumer protection rights has led to increased awareness of product liability insurance.

“Some less mature insurance markets are still relatively underdeveloped and here product liability coverage often occupies a small niche in the overall mix, being a relative newcomer. Nonetheless, the global tide of regulatory and legislative change is set to encourage consumers and corporates alike to increasingly hold manufacturers, importers and suppliers to account for the products and services that they provide.”

Artificial intelligence is highlighted by the research as one of the latest and most rapidly evolving issues impacting product liability globally.

“One area that has thrown up challenges for regulators and legislators alike is the unprecedented growth of new technology platforms and tools such as artificial intelligence - and particularly the speed at which they are entering the daily lives of consumers and businesses. Although regulators are making a concerted effort to introduce frameworks that will both mitigate the risks to users of this new technology and protect them from harm, many are playing catch-up and we are likely to continue to see an increase in the number of claims,” Davidson explains.

“As awareness of product liability issues grows, the market for insurance coverage is expected to grow alongside it. In more developed insurance markets, the strengthening of consumer protections across a range of industry sectors (including the expanded definition of who or what constitutes a consumer in the eyes of regulators) is bringing more businesses into scope for potential product liability claims, driving appetite for coverage.”

GILC anticipates that this class of business will continue to grow at a fast pace in the coming years; and is advising insurers to be alert to both the exposures and the opportunities.

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