Private Client CAE Private Client Outlook 2026: Smarter Wealth and Risk Protection

Coverage With Intent: Aligning Wealth, Lifestyle and Risk Tolerance

Download Report

What to Expect in 2026

Risks that once felt rare or exceptional are now part of daily decision-making for affluent households. Markets shift overnight, weather events strain capacity, digital threats multiply and reputations can be challenged in an instant. This steady backdrop is reshaping choices about where to live, what to insure and how to protect family wealth. For households across the wealth spectrum, the new reality is that protection isn’t simply about buying more policies. It’s about achieving risk readiness — knowing what risks you’re comfortable carrying and having the intentionality to measure them before the market measures them for you.

Property Pressures

Digital and Social Exposures

Risk Appetite

Resilience as Strategy

Property Pressures

Property risk remains the most visible stress point across Canada, with regions like British Columbia and Alberta feeling the impact of worsening wildfire seasons and earthquake exposure in B.C., the Pacific Coast and fault zones in Quebec adding another layer of complexity. While stronger building code requirements reflect the hazard, insurance coverage is increasingly difficult to secure in high-risk zones. Fewer than half of B.C. homeowners, and only about 7% of homeowners in Quebec, carry earthquake coverage.1 Even in areas where uptake is greater, high deductibles leave many households under-protected. Resilience measures are also under greater scrutiny, especially in wildfire-prone areas. Carriers are increasingly looking for evidence of defensible space, fire-resistant materials and access to water supplies. Securing these risk management steps are becoming a critical factor in determining both availability and terms of coverage. Exposures are also coming from lifestyle choices. Renovations have become a defining trend, with a quarter of Canadian homeowners planning a renovation in 2025.2 Historically, homeowners have not frequently consulted with insurance partners on renovations or updated policies after large

A Market on Shaky Ground

projects. Undisclosed renovations can trigger unexpected deductibles, reclassification into builder’s risk and even denied claims.

These shifts make it more important than ever for affluent individuals to view property protection as a dynamic process rather than a one-time purchase. That means taking proactive steps — from updating coverage after renovations to installing wildfire, water or security protections — and documenting them through appraisals and inspections. Brokers can help households use these measures as leverage, ensuring carriers recognize the investment in resilience when negotiating terms.

Since 2021, Canadians have reported losses of over $2 billion to fraud.3 Basic identity theft protection or homeowner policy endorsements are no longer sufficient to cover the impact of today’s financial scams, extortion or crypto losses. High-net-worth household cyber policies should now replicate those of businesses — with forensic investigation, legal support, crisis PR and restitution included as part of the response. Market capacity for these standalone policies is strong and ready to be treated as a baseline for wealth protection. The risks also extend beyond financial loss. Social media missteps, online harassment and AI-driven deepfakes can escalate into financial and personal fallout within hours. Nearly 28% of consumers have already had a social media account hacked, underscoring how cyber incidents and reputational harm are increasingly intertwined.4 Traditional liability programs aren’t designed for this environment. Umbrella policies may respond in some cases, but they rarely cover the full spectrum of costs: PR services,

crisis management, digital forensics or even relocation when harassment becomes dangerous. Layered solutions that combine broader liability protection with reputation-specific coverage can close these gaps and provide the proactive safeguards today’s households need.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui.

A Growing Protection Gap

Digital and Social Exposures

Download our 2026 Private Client Outlook and Insurance Market Rate Report to see what to expect in the coming year.

Download Report

In a market where volatility is the baseline, defining one’s risk appetite and how much financial exposure you are willing to take on has become the foundation of every other risk decision you make in 2026. Property Considerations: For Canadian homeowners, the real question is how much wildfire or earthquake exposure to retain. Deductibles are rising, and in high-risk zones, coverage is becoming harder to secure. Some families may choose to self-insure part of that risk; others to invest in mitigation such as defensible space, seismic retrofits and water-shutoff devices. Cyber Considerations: Homeowner policy add-ons for cyber coverage often don’t respond when a household faces a six-figure wire transfer scam, a crypto theft or a deepfake impersonation. A standalone family policy — modeled on business coverage with forensic investigation and legal support — represents a deliberate choice to transfer that risk instead of retaining it. Reputational and Social Considerations: The more visible the household, the greater the chance of reputational harm if a post, harassment campaign or AI-generated attack spirals out of control. And while the Canadian litigation landscape may

be less visible itself than other countries’, recent multi-million-dollar defamation awards show these cases carry serious financial weight. Umbrella liability coverage is the essential baseline, yet it remains underused among affluent individuals. Cyber and reputational-specific policies can add the crossover protection needed to cover PR, crisis management and relocation costs.

Clarifying risk appetite sets the foundation — but it only matters if it informs the next steps. In 2026, the priority is ensuring deductibles, limits and specialty policies reflect not just exposures, but what the household is truly willing to carry on its own.

Defining and Acting With Intentionality

Risk Appetite

Instead of taking on more risk to lower costs, affluent families can choose to invest in risk readiness — the steps that demonstrate preparedness to insurers and reduce the likelihood of a loss. Over time, this readiness translates into greater resilience, giving households both stronger protection and more leverage at policy renewal. For example, homes with defensible space and ember-resistant construction are more attractive to carriers and less likely to face wildfire exclusions, and families that adopt monitoring and device audits are positioned for broader cyber coverage. Risk assessments are the foundation for moving up in risk readiness. Insurers are tightening underwriting and using new tools like aerial imaging and wildfire scoring to scrutinize properties, and households that match that rigor with frequent, comprehensive reviews are better positioned for favorable terms. While already a best practice in Canada, their frequency is slipping. The number of HNW households conducting quarterly evaluations dropped from 22% to 10% in 2025, while annual reviews rose from 25% to 43%.

Readiness only delivers resilience when it is documented and communicated. Brokers and advisors play a critical role by prioritizing investments, ensuring coverage limits reflect appetite and presenting preventative steps to underwriters. It’s not just about installing a water sensor or trimming trees near a home but turning those actions into proof points that carriers can underwrite against. In this way, risk readiness becomes market leverage, and resilience is the reward.

Turning Prevention Into Leverage

Resilience as Strategy

For high-net-worth households, protecting wealth in 2026 requires more than securing a policy at renewal. It means advancing risk readiness step by step — connecting appetite, assessments and resilience into a proactive strategy that reduces exposures and strengthens negotiating power.

Moving Your Family Forward

Annual assessments are no longer sufficient on their own. Major life changes — a renovation, valuable acquisition or new teen driver — should trigger immediate reassessment. Today’s reviews go beyond property to capture lifestyle, travel, household staff and digital footprints. Independent third parties add credibility andensure findings carry weight with underwriters.

Make risk reviews routine.

Preventive steps are increasingly prerequisites for coverage. Wildfire defensible space, roof reinforcements, impact-rated windows and smart water sensors help reduce physical exposures, while cyber hygiene, monitoring systems and family training address digital risk. Documenting these measures shows insurers that households are lowering loss potential.

Prioritize resilience measures.

A clear risk appetite only matters if it informs policy structure. Deductibles, limits and specialty programs should reflect what the household is prepared to retain, mitigate or transfer. Umbrella liability limits should align with net worth, and cyber or reputation-specific programs should be added where exposures are significant.

Match coverage to appetite.

Advisors serve as more than transaction managers. Brokers and risk specialists help families prioritize which resilience investments matter most, document them and present them to underwriters. Their role ensures household strategies translate into market leverage and stronger protection.

Leverage advisors strategically.

Download our 2026 Private Client Outlook and Insurance Market Rate Report to see what to expect in the coming year.

Download Report

Meet the Experts

About Us

HUB Private Client

When you partner with us, you’re at the centre of a vast network of experts who will help you reach your goals. For more information on how to manage your insurance costs, reduce your risk and take care of your employees, talk to a HUB Private Client Risk Advisor.

$1.2B+

in premiums brokered

52,000+

Private Client accounts

500

Private Client Risk Advisors

Job Title Here

Firstname Lastname

Practice Name Here

Linkedin Profile

Job Title Here

Firstname Lastname

Practice Name Here

Linkedin Profile

Job Title Here

Firstname Lastname

Practice Name Here

Linkedin Profile

Job Title Here

Firstname Lastname

Practice Name Here

Linkedin Profile

Job Title Here

Firstname Lastname

Practice Name Here

Linkedin Profile

Risk Advisor

Jordan Cash

Private Client

Linkedin Profile

Risk Advisor

Carmen So

Private Client

Linkedin Profile

Vice President

Tracy Spark

Private Client

Linkedin Profile

Vice President

Monique Mehl

Private Client

Linkedin Profile

Vice President

Dominique Duquette

Private Client

Linkedin Profile

Canadian Practice Leader

Todd Peterson

Private Client

Linkedin Profile

Job Title Here

Firstname Lastname

Practice Name Here

Linkedin Profile

Profitability

Vitality

Resiliency

Profitability

Resiliency

Vitality

Profitability

Resiliency

Profitability

Vitality

Profitability

Resiliency

1 of 12

2 of 12

3 of 12

4 of 12

5 of 12

6 of 12

9 of 12

10 of 12

11 of 12

A Market on Shaky Ground

A Growing Protection Gap

Defining and Acting With Intentionality

Turning Prevention Into Leverage

Download Report

3. Government of Canada “Fraud Prevention Month to focus on impersonation fraud, one of the fastest growing forms of fraud,” February 28, 2025.

4. Insurance Information Institute, “Addressing the Personal Cyber Protection Gap,” 2025.

1. Insurance Business “Canada’s earthquake risk exposes insurance protection gap: MyChoice,” August 27, 2025.

2. Financeit “The 2024 Canadian Homeowner Renovation Report,” March 27, 2024.

5. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempo lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempo.

6. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempo lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempo.

7. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempo lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempo.

8. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempo lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempo.

9. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempo lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempo.

10. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempo lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempo.

11. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempo lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempo.

12. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempo lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempo.

13. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempo lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempo.

14. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempo lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempo.

15. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempo lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempo.

16. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempo lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempo.

17. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempo lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempo.

18. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempo lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempo.

Download Report

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.

Download Report

Download our 2026 INSERT Outlook and Insurance Market Rate Report to see what to expect in the coming year.

19. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempo lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempo.

20. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempo lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempo.

Download Report

Download our 2026 INSERT Outlook and Insurance Market Rate Report to see what to expect in the coming year.

Download Report

Download our 2026 Nonprofit Outlook and Insurance Market Rate Report to see what to expect in the coming year.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.

CA | EN

CA | FR

US | EN

CA | EN

Transportation

Real Estate

Nonprofit

Hospitality

Healthcare

Financial Institutions

Entertainment & Sports

Education

Construction

Agribusiness

Industry Outlooks

Private Client

Employee Benefits & Retirement

Product Outlooks

North American Outlook

Sitemap

Terms & Conditions

Privacy Statement

Industry Outlooks

Private Client

Employee Benefits & Retirement

Product Outlooks

Transportation

Real Estate

Nonprofit

Hospitality

Healthcare

Financial Institutions

Entertainment & Sports

Education

Construction

Agribusiness

North American Outlook

Keep pace with the latest trends.

Stay in the Know

Learn more about us.Visit hubinternational.com

Transportation

Real Estate

Nonprofit

Hospitality

Healthcare

Financial Institutions

Entertainment & Sports

Education

Construction

Agribusiness

Back to Main Menu

Private Client

Employee Benefits & Retirement

Back to Main Menu

CA | FR

US | EN

Industry Outlooks

Product Outlooks

North American Outlook

Sitemap

Terms & Conditions

Privacy Statement

Keep pace with the latest trends.

Stay in the Know

Industry Outlooks

Private Client

Employee Benefits & Retirement

Product Outlooks

Transportation

Real Estate

Nonprofit

Hospitality

Healthcare

Financial Institutions

Entertainment & Sports

Education

Construction

Agribusiness

North American Outlook

Learn more about us.Visit hubinternational.com

of HNW respondents in Canada have struggled to secure adequate property insurance for their homes.

63%

$1-5M Net Worth: Households in this range are increasingly looking to balance cost and coverage. Access to stable insurance markets and loss-prevention strategies can help preserve favorable terms. $5-30M Net Worth: This segment often feels market fluctuations more acutely. As premiums rise and capacity tightens, a deliberate risk management approach becomes their strategic advantage. Demonstrating resilience —through wildfire mitigation, water detection or robust cyber practices, for example — can reduce exposure and help maintain leverage with carriers. $30M+ Net Worth: Ultra-wealthy households continue to build and acquire despite volatility. This segment should focus on resilience — wildfire defenses, water detection, digital security — and on protecting reputation as much as property.

Personalized Priorities: Tailoring Protection in 2026

Umbrella liability remains one of the most underused layers in wealth protection. It’s relatively inexpensive compared to the limits it provides, yet many households don’t carry enough coverage to match their wealth. Check the limits. Umbrella coverage should reflect the actual level of liability exposure a household is carrying, not just a round number that feels sufficient. Rising verdicts and settlements mean limits that seemed adequate five years ago may now leave gaps. Liability exposures also extend beyond auto and home to include social media, reputational incidents and next-gen family activities. Working with a risk advisor can determine the right level of coverage and identify when additional layers, like cyber or reputation-specific programs, should be added.

How Big is Your Umbrella?

Only 18% of HNW respondents in Canada are still willing to assume more risk to save on premiums

18%

Engage third-party expertise. Independent reviews uncover blind spots and carry weight with underwriters. Begin with discovery. Capture the full household picture: properties, valuables, travel, lifestyles and staff. Review annually at minimum. Property values and liability exposures change quickly; annual updates are the baseline. Reassess at trigger events. Renovations, acquisitions or new drivers demand immediate reassessment. Include digital exposures. Online accounts and family social media activity now create real financial and reputational risk.

5 Best Practices for Risk Assessments

Practice Leader

Katherine Frattarola

Private Client

Linkedin Profile

of organizations saying staffing shortages are affecting their ability to operate.

65%

Personalized Priorities: Tailoring Protection in 2026 $1-5M Net Worth: Households in this range are increasingly looking to balance cost and coverage. Access to stable insurance markets and loss-prevention strategies can help preserve favorable terms. $5-30M Net Worth: This segment often feels market fluctuations more acutely. As premiums rise and capacity tightens, a deliberate risk management approach becomes their strategic advantage. Demonstrating resilience —through wildfire mitigation, water detection or robust cyber practices, for example — can reduce exposure and help maintain leverage with carriers. $30M+ Net Worth: For ultra-wealthy households, complexity is the defining challenge. Multiple residences, specialized assets and diverse portfolios require programs that are both comprehensive and coordinated. The focus is on aligning coverage with lifestyle and risk profile and finding the right balance between protection and cost efficiency.

How Big is Your Umbrella? Umbrella liability remains one of the most underused layers in wealth protection. It’s relatively inexpensive compared to the limits it provides, yet many households don’t carry enough coverage to match their wealth. 53% of HNW respondents feel they have adequate liability coverage, yet a significant number do not have enough umbrella liability to cover their net worth. Check the limits. Umbrella coverage should reflect the actual level of liability exposure a household is carrying, not just a round number that feels sufficient. Rising verdicts and settlements have increased both the potential severity of losses and the cost of higher-limit coverage. While capacity at the upper limits has tightened due to nuclear verdicts, well-structured programs and proactive risk management can help maintain access to needed protection. Liability exposures today extend beyond auto and home to include social media, reputational incidents and next-gen family activities. Working with a broker can determine the right level of coverage and identify when additional layers, like cyber or reputation-specific programs, should be added.

of organizations saying staffing shortages are affecting their ability to operate.

65%

5 Best Practices for Risk Assessments Engage third-party expertise. Independent reviews uncover blind spots and carry weight with underwriters. Begin with discovery. Capture the full household picture: properties, valuables, travel, lifestyles and staff. Review annually at minimum. Property values and liability exposures change quickly; annual updates are the baseline. Reassess at trigger events. Renovations, acquisitions or new drivers demand immediate reassessment. Include digital exposures. Online accounts and family social media activity now create real financial and reputational risk.

of HNW respondents feel they have adequate liability coverage, yet a significant number do not have enough umbrella liability to cover their net worth.

53%

Only 18% of HNW respondents in Canada are still willing to assume more risk to save on premiums

18%