Cyber threats emerge as top business concern in 2026 Travelers Risk Index

The 2026 Travelers Risk Index identifies cyber threats as the primary concern for business decision-makers, marking the fifth time in eight years that it has held the top spot. According to a survey of 1,202 U.S. business insurance decision-makers conducted by Hart Research, 58% of respondents expressed significant worry regarding cyber threats, surpassing concerns over economic uncertainty, medical cost inflation, and geopolitical conflict.

While companies are becoming more proactive—with 70% now reporting they have purchased cyber insurance—new vulnerabilities are emerging due to the integration of artificial intelligence into daily operations. AI-related risks, such as attackers using AI to exploit system vulnerabilities and the rise of AI-generated phishing and deepfakes, ranked as the second-highest specific cyber worry, nearly equal to traditional security breaches.

Cyber insurance adoption has increased across all business segments. Large businesses reported an 82% adoption rate, up from 73% in 2025, while small businesses reached 50%, up from 43% the previous year.