Specialty insurance policies are in greater demand.

Yachting | 2026

Sandra Ahrabian, shareholder and chairwoman of the supervisory board of BAVARIA AG, on current developments in the world of specialist insurance.

Streifzug: Ms Ahrabian, thank you for taking the time. Looking back at 2025 – how would you characterise the year for BAVARIA AG?
Sandra Ahrabian: Very positively. We achieved all of our targets, and BAVARIA AG has further strength-ened its position as Europe’s leading specialist broker for yacht, aircraft and classic car insurance. What mattered to us was not only maintaining our traditional markets but expanding our international presence. Given the economic and geopolitical uncertainties of recent years, we acted early and extended our reach into regions with a high concentration of HNWIs and a more stable business environment.

Sandra Ahrabian, Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board of BAVARIA AG

Streifzug: Is there a particular achievement you are especially proud of?
Sandra Ahrabian: That’s a difficult one – but if I had to choose, it would be our unwavering client focus. Our core teams have worked together for many years, and our promise – “You will always speak to a person, never to a machine” – remains at the heart of our philosophy. Clients repeatedly praise our personal service, both in day-to-day matters and during claims handling. But our service does not end where a traditional broker’s might. We see ourselves as a fullservice provider, connecting clients with lawyers, surveyors, and other experts as needed, and approaching every case with the expertise of a highly specialised team. I am also proud of our agility – we are far more flexible than a traditional underwriter or insurer, if I may say so.

Streifzug: You mentioned international expansion – what exactly did that involve in 2025?
Sandra Ahrabian: A key element was our proactive presence at international trade shows and the strategic strengthening of our global presence. In Dubai and Abu Dhabi, for instance, we specifically targeted European yacht owners who now spend more time in the Gulf. Appearances at major shows in Düsseldorf, Palma, Cannes and Monaco – with or without our own stand – have long been part of our calendar. We have seen very clearly that BAVARIA AG has become an internationally recognised brand, increasingly approached by prestigious private banks and family offices for partnership projects.

Ulrich Puchta, Sandra Ahrabian, Markus Wolf and Stephan Dietzsch from BAVARIA AG

Streifzug: How do you assess current demand – particularly in the premium segment?
Sandra Ahrabian: Demand in the premium segment continues to rise steadily. Our clients – affluent individuals with yachts, aircraft or classic cars – are increasingly looking for specialised, international and efficient solutions. In 2025 we saw particularly strong growth in the superyacht insurance sector, alongside a growing number of owners seeking comprehensive, multi-asset coverage across different categories.

Streifzug: Finally, what lessons do you take from 2025 – and what’s next for 2026?
Sandra Ahrabian: Quality growth is the key – not just more contracts, but better service, faster claims handling, a stronger international focus and a clear positioning within the premium segment. For 2026, our priorities are further internationalisation, particularly in emerging markets, and greater interconnection between asset classes – yachts, aircraft, classic cars and real estate. On this foundation, I am confident that we will continue to grow even more dynamically than before.