5 Questions with Katya Skorik, Global Head of Travel Business Line & Chief Commercial Officer, Europ Assistance

Could you briefly introduce Europ Assistance to our audience?

Europ Assistance, founded in 1963, is a global leader in assistance and insurance services, operating in over 200 countries and territories through a network of 750,000 providers and 57 assistance centers worldwide. Every day, our mission is simple: to bring people from distress to relief – anytime, anywhere.

Our travel business brings together all solutions dedicated to travelers, whether for leisure or business. It combines 24/7 medical and logistical assistance with comprehensive travel insurance coverage. This includes emergency medical expenses abroad, medical repatriation, trip cancellation and interruption cover, baggage protection, and support in the event of major disruptions such as natural disasters or political instability.

In a world where travel remains strong, but risks are more visible, our role is to provide both financial protection and operational support – wherever the journey takes our customers.

How do you see the travel and travel insurance sector evolving in 2026?

Travel demand remains strong going into 2026, even in an inflationary context. Across Europe and North America, a large majority of people still plan to travel (79% of Europeans and 71% of North Americans) and many are increasing their budgets rather than cutting trips altogether. Uncertainty around safety, geopolitical tensions and climate events has not reduced travel intent, but it has reshaped behaviour: safety now ranks as a leading decision factor, and consumers are looking for reassurance more than ever before.

For the insurance sector, this means continued growth and higher penetration as travelers seek protection against medical, cancellation and logistical risks, reflecting that travel no longer just happens, it needs to be safeguarded.

How are customer expectations changing in insurance?

Customer expectations are evolving alongside the broader travel experience. Travel planning is becoming more digital and AI-informed, and insurance needs to be embedded seamlessly into that journey.

For B2B partners, this translates to broader and more complementary covers – from cancellation to liability and parametric products – that help boost conversion and ancillary revenue. For B2C, it means fast, simple, digital-first interactions: clear coverage explanations, paperless claims and real-time support. In short, travellers expect protection that is intuitive, instant and integrated.

Operating at global scale can bring complexity.

How do you drive consistency whilst maintaining market relevance?

Global scale is a strength, but it must be paired with local relevance. We build consistent product frameworks and shared technology platforms that ensure operational quality everywhere and then empower local teams to tailor offers to specific market behaviours, regulations and risk perceptions. The result: global coherence with local precision.

How do you align product, underwriting and sales around a single commercial agenda?

Alignment starts with collaboration. Product, underwriting and sales work together from the earliest stages – sharing market insights, customer needs and commercial goals. We test new solutions together quickly and iteratively, learning as a team before scaling successful innovations. This culture of shared experimentation ensures we move forward as one organisation with one commercial agenda.

For more information:

Europ Assistance