Canada
Ireland
Specialist insurer, Ecclesiastical Insurance has published its latest broker wellbeing research, revealing that stress levels among insurance brokers have fallen for the first time in several years, but warns this improvement should not be mistaken for pressure easing.
The research, now in its seventh year and one of the longest-running studies of its kind in the industry, found that 67% of brokers experienced work-related stress in the past 12 months, with 44% reporting anxiety. Both figures represent a fall on last year’s findings, and the number of brokers reporting high or very high stress has dropped notably since 2025.
This year, Ecclesiastical worked with Dr Simon Moore, Chartered Psychologist and Behavioural Scientist, to help interpret the findings.
Despite the fall in reported stress, the underlying drivers remain firmly in place. Workload is the biggest single cause of stress, cited by 69% of brokers, followed by regulation and compliance (57%), customer demands (53%), staff shortages (45%) and insurer relationships (41%).
Dr Simon Moore cautioned against reading the improved figures as a sign the job has got easier.
"This isn’t necessarily a sign that brokers are coping better. Concerns around stigma, job security and rapid technological change may mean some brokers are simply becoming more reluctant to speak about stress and more likely to mask it."
Two-tier wellbeing support system emerging across broking
The research also reveals stark differences in the support available depending on the type and size of brokerage. National brokers are significantly better resourced, with 89% having access to a confidential helpline compared with just 33% of provincial brokers. Counselling support follows the same pattern, available to 79% of national brokers, 52% of regional brokers and only 34% of provincial brokers. Provincial brokers were also more likely to cite dealing with insurers, managing staff and bullying as sources of stress than their counterparts at larger firms.
The survey revealed stress also varies by demographic with younger and mid-career brokers reporting the greatest pressures, and women consistently reporting higher stress intensity than men, something Dr Moore links to the additional caring responsibilities and cultural pressures many women carry alongside their work.
Encouragingly, most brokers feel supported within their own organisation. 83% agree their brokerage is committed to improving wellbeing, 86% see their employer as supportive of colleagues facing mental health challenges, and 84% feel able to raise the subject with their manager. Flexible working is now available to 77% of brokers.
But confidence drops sharply when brokers look beyond their own firm. Just 59% rate mental health awareness across the wider broker industry as high, only 37% rate industry understanding as high, and fewer than half (45%) believe there is strong acceptance of mental health issues across the sector as a whole.
“It's encouraging to see signs that brokers are reporting lower levels of stress than in recent years. But as our industry continues to evolve through technological change, rising customer expectations and increasing complexity, supporting wellbeing remains more important than ever. The opportunity isn't simply to help people cope with pressure, it's to create environments where they can thrive, develop and build long-term careers.”
Younger brokers are less willing to accept chronic stress as normal
The research points to a clear generational shift in attitudes towards workplace wellbeing. Younger brokers report higher stress intensity than their older colleagues, but are also more likely to recognise early signs of strain, use wellbeing tools and challenge outdated norms around “pushing through”.
Crucially, younger brokers are far less willing to accept chronic stress as a normal part of professional life, and expect employers to proactively support their wellbeing rather than treat it as an individual responsibility.
Ecclesiastical warns this shift has direct implications for recruitment and retention. Firms that build flexibility, psychological safety and genuine wellbeing support into working life will be better placed to attract, develop and retain the next generation of talent.
“Wellbeing is no longer a peripheral issue for our industry. The firms that will succeed in the future will be those that create cultures where people feel supported, valued and able to perform at their best. That is good for individuals, good for customers and ultimately good for the long-term strength of our profession.”
Ecclesiastical has launched the Broker Stress Check, a free and confidential online tool designed to help brokers better understand themselves. Developed with Dr Simon Moore, the five-minute assessment provides personalised insight into how individuals respond to pressure, what influences their wellbeing and the conditions that help them thrive. Because no two people experience stress in the same way, the tool can also help teams and managers better understand what motivates colleagues, what triggers stress and how they can support one another more effectively. No email address is required and all responses are completely anonymous.
The Stress Check is part of a wider broker wellbeing campaign from Ecclesiastical this autumn, including a new four-part video podcast series hosted by broadcaster Datshiane Navanayagam. Featuring Chartered Psychologist Dr Simon Moore and senior Ecclesiastical leaders, the series takes an honest look at the realities of modern broking, from managing the emotional impact of claims and understanding personal stress triggers, to navigating AI-driven change and building resilience in an increasingly uncertain world.
View the full report, Understanding Broker Mental Wellbeing 2026, and the Broker Stress Check tool.