Italian insurance market grows while trust between firms erodes

The Italian credit and surety insurance sector is expanding, with the global market projected to reach $31.85 billion by 2031. In Italy, non‑auto premium collection reached €116.6 billion in 2025, a 9.2 % increase, and the worldwide surety market was valued at $20.26 billion in 2024.

Industry participants report a severe deterioration of professional relationships. Broker Claudio Capobianchi, with 45 years of experience, says the main problem is relational, not technical, noting that “while financial instruments multiply, trust between operators drops dramatically.” The lack of trust hampers credit insurance and guarantees that Italian SMEs need to export and work with foreign partners.

The crisis is amplified by slow Italian courts, making formal contracts ineffective and pushing firms toward personal trust, which is also eroding. Capobianchi warns that without competitive credit and surety products, small firms risk being excluded from public and private contracts.

The 2025 stability plan, allocating €35.3 billion with a focus on tax relief, could help revive the sector, but experts stress a cultural shift toward professional collaboration and ethics is essential.