The recent cyberattack affecting major European airports, including Heathrow, Dublin, and Brussels, has drawn attention to the need for parametric and preventive cyber insurance, according to research by GlobalData.
The incident resulted in dozens of flight cancellations, hundreds of delays, and long queues, as airport staff reverted to handwritten tags and manual redeployments. The disruption has prompted discussion about the potential for insurance products that offer automatic payouts and proactive cyber risk management.
GlobalData’s survey found that 45.7% of UK consumers would be willing to pay more for a travel insurance policy that pays out automatically in the event of disruption. Among those surveyed, 24.7% would accept a premium increase of up to 5%, while 14.1% would pay up to 10% more. In contrast, 37.5% said they would not pay extra, and 16.8% were undecided.
Charlie Hutcherson, insurance analyst at GlobalData, said: “Parametric travel insurance has the potential to transform the customer experience by removing the complexity of claims processes and providing near-instant payouts when disruption occurs.”
Hutcherson also noted that cyber insurance is increasingly focused on helping businesses anticipate, prevent, and respond to attacks, not just on financial compensation. These products address two of the most significant risks for both consumers and businesses, and insurers need to build awareness and adoption to remain competitive.
The Heathrow incident has also highlighted the risks associated with supply chain dependencies in aviation technology. The attack was traced to a breach of Collins Aerospace’s ‘MUSE’ platform, which supports passenger processing for multiple airlines. This supply-chain vulnerability led to widespread disruption at several airports, not just Heathrow, and has prompted scrutiny of cyber insurance policy wordings, particularly around business interruption and dependent-business cover.
Experts have raised concerns about the potential for data exposure, noting that attackers could have accessed sensitive passenger or staff information, which may have long-term implications for affected organisations and individuals.
The attack also reflects a broader trend of rising cyber threats across sectors. According to GlobalData’s 2025 UK Commercial Insurance Broker Survey, 53.6% of brokers identified cyber insurance as the new or emerging product with the highest growth potential, indicating growing demand from businesses seeking protection against operational and financial disruption.
The UK cyber insurance market itself is evolving in response to the increasing frequency and sophistication of attacks. Recent industry analysis shows that cybercrime costs are projected to reach US$10.5 trillion annually by 2025, with half of UK businesses experiencing some form of cybersecurity breach in the past year.
The market has also seen a shift in policy features, with clarity of first-party coverage and breach response now the most valued attributes among brokers and clients. Insurers are adapting by offering more comprehensive solutions, including retroactive coverage and enhanced breach response services, to address the changing threat landscape and client expectations.
Hutcherson said that as flight disruption and cyber threats become more frequent, insurers that can effectively market parametric and cyber coverage will be better positioned to retain customers and capture growth opportunities.
“The events of this weekend underline the urgency of delivering solutions that are both protective and proactive,” he said.
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