Shared Messages of Insurance Industry Wisdom Took the Stage at saz2026
saz2026 Insurance Intermediaries Summit, the first summit focusing on the distribution ecosystem of the insurance industry, brought together different stakeholders of the sector on the same platform on 22-23 June. Held with broad participation ranging from insurance companies to agencies and brokers, from technology providers to assistance companies, the summit addressed the growth and transformation of the sector and the future of the value chain reaching the customer.
Distinguished from other industry events by its distribution channel-focused structure, saz2026 approached insurance not only from the perspective of insurance companies, but also within the framework of the shared responsibility of the entire ecosystem that reaches the customer.
The first day of the summit was held with Türkiye Sigorta as the Day Sponsor, while the second day was sponsored by AXA Sigorta. Monopoli Sigorta participated as the Strategic Session Main Sponsor, while the Insurance Association of Türkiye (TSB) contributed to the summit as the Institutional Participation Partner. Quick Sigorta, MetLife, Agito, and Venhancer took part in the summit as Platform Sponsors.
HOMER Smart Auto Service, REMED Assistance, DASK, and sigortaacentesi.com served as the summit’s Ecosystem Sponsors. Doğa Sigorta, Katılım Emeklilik, Medline, RS Otomotiv Grubu, Tur Assist, and Ünlem Sigorta supported the summit as Summit Stakeholders. TOBB Insurance Agencies Executive Committee (TOBB SAİK) and the Insurance and Reinsurance Brokers Association also provided significant support to saz2026 as Sector Participation Partners.
Shared Message at the Opening: Insurance Intermediaries Are at the Center of Transformation
The summit’s opening address was delivered by Mehmet Turgay Özata, Executive Vice President of Türkiye Sigorta. Highlighting the critical role of insurance intermediaries in the development of the sector, Özata noted that agencies account for 55% of the distribution market and emphasized that insurance is fundamentally built on trust.
Stating that digitalization does not reduce the importance of intermediaries, but rather increases it, Özata said that the trust-based relationship established with customers still relies on human interaction. According to Özata, insurance intermediaries are no longer positioned merely as sales channels, but as strategic advisors who manage customers’ risks.
Also speaking at the opening, Levent Korkut, Chair of the TOBB Insurance Agencies Executive Committee (TOBB SAİK), stated that the industry should focus its energy on expanding the insurance market rather than protecting existing areas of market share. Korkut noted that the traditional intermediary model is gradually giving way to a risk analysis-driven advisory model and said that digitalization and artificial intelligence are fundamentally transforming the way the insurance industry operates.
Korkut stated that a hybrid structure that does not exclude technology but integrates it into its processes has become inevitable, adding that agencies that increase operational efficiency and offer more advisory support to customers will stand out.
The final opening speech was delivered by Ahmet Yaşar, President of the Insurance Association of Türkiye (TSB), who stated that the insurance sector is moving beyond being merely a structure that pays claims and is shifting toward a preventive insurance approach.
Pointing out that natural disasters, the ageing population, and changing risks are widening protection gaps in Türkiye, Yaşar stated that the role of insurance within the economic and social system should be communicated more strongly. Emphasizing the importance of all stakeholders acting together for the sector to achieve its 2030 target of USD 50 billion in volume, Yaşar noted that the first contact with insurance customers is still largely established by agencies and brokers.
New-Generation Agency Models Were Discussed in the First Session
The summit’s first panel, titled “Next-Generation Agency Models: Scaling, Small Offices, Institutionalization, and Structural Transformation,” focused on the future of insurance agencies. Moderated by Cem Yılmazer, General Manager of BEST Publishing, the session featured valuable insights from Ahmet Yaşar, President of the Insurance Association of Türkiye (TSB); Levent Korkut, Chair of the TOBB Insurance Agencies Executive Committee (TOBB SAİK); Erol Esentürk, Co-Founder and CEO of Monopoli Sigorta; and Yavuz Ölken, CEO of AXA Türkiye.
During the panel, it was emphasized that digitalization is not a threat to agencies but rather a supporting force. The speakers noted that digitalization does not replace agencies; instead, it offers alternative distribution models that enhance their effectiveness.
One of the strong messages emerging from the panel was that the sector’s sustainable growth target can only be achieved by accurately analyzing customer and agency needs. The speakers emphasized that agencies need to know their customers better and argued that making progress in this area would largely contribute to the success of insurance.
saz2026 Day One Draws Strong Attendance and Highlights Key Industry Topics
The second session of the day focused on the impact of technology on distribution channels under the title “Digital Transformation in Agency Distribution: Artificial Intelligence and the Evolution of the New Customer Experience.” Moderated by Cem Yılmazer, General Manager of BEST Publishing, the panel featured Erdem Çalışkan, CEO of Venhancer; Melek Yılmaz, COO of sigortaacentesi.com; and Fatih Tunga, General Manager of Tunga Sigorta, as panelists.
Participants emphasized that artificial intelligence offers new opportunities in many areas, from operational efficiency to customer communication, while trust remains a fundamental component of insurance.
The third session focused on “Expanding Life Insurance and Private Pension (BES) Through Agencies.” The discussion highlighted that life insurance and the Private Pension System (BES) represent significant growth opportunities for agencies, while also exploring why agencies have not yet established a stronger presence in this field and the underlying reasons behind this situation. The panel was moderated by Aysun Yıldız, Deputy Secretary General of the Insurance Association of Türkiye (TSB). The session was enriched by the insights and experience of Gökhan Uçar, Chairman of the Board of Ünlem Sigorta; Selçuk Adıgüzel, President of AXA Hayat ve Emeklilik; Gökhan Sertsöz, Executive Vice President of BNPPC; and Arda Turcan, Founder of Siar Sigorta.
The fourth session, titled “Service Quality, Product Diversity, and Service Reliability,” featured insights from Ünal Ünaldı, Chairman of the Board of RS Holding; Eyüp Özsoy, General Manager of Quick Sigorta; Zübeyde Erdemir, General Manager of Zer Sigorta; and Bekir Kılıç, Chairman of the Board of Magarsus Sigorta Brokerliği. Moderated by Cem Yılmazer, the panel explored changing customer expectations in the insurance industry. The participants emphasized that product diversity alone is no longer sufficient, noting that customers place greater importance than ever on fast, transparent, and reliable service experiences.
In the fifth session, titled “The Role of Agencies in the Service Ecosystem,” the responsibilities undertaken by insurance intermediaries in operational management, technology integration, and disaster and crisis periods were evaluated. The session emphasized that cooperation among different stakeholders in the insurance ecosystem plays a critical role in customer satisfaction. Moderated by Cem Yılmazer, the panel featured speeches by Haluk Yeşilbayraktar, General Manager of HOMER Smart Auto Service; Selçuk Tiftik, Chairman of the Board of Remed; Balkır Demirkan, Secretary General of DASK; and Suzan Süsen Ümit, General Manager of Derman Sigorta.
The sixth session, titled “The Position of Agencies in a Multi-Channel World: Competition or Balance?”, explored the role of different distribution models within the insurance sector. The participants agreed that, rather than focusing on competition between channels, adopting a balanced structure centered on customer needs would contribute more effectively to the industry's growth. The session was particularly noteworthy because both the moderator and all panelists were agency professionals. Moderated by Özgür Yılmaz, General Manager of Yılmaz & Yılmaz Sigorta, the panel featured Hande Önal, General Manager of Hande Önal Sigorta; Şebap Çelik, General Manager of Nişantaşı Sigorta; and Ünal Tanyıldızı, General Manager of Tanyıldızı Sigorta, who enriched the discussion by sharing their industry experience.
The day concluded with the session titled “Intermediation in Transformation: Perspectives and Collective Wisdom,” where Mehmet Turgay Özata, Executive Vice President of Türkiye Sigorta; Levent Korkut, Chair of the TOBB Insurance Agencies Executive Committee (TOBB SAİK); and Cenk Ecevit, President of the Insurance Brokers Association, reflected on the topics discussed throughout the day from the perspective of collective industry wisdom.
The Emphasis on Preventive Insurance Came to the Fore on the Second Day
The second day of the saz2026 Insurance Intermediaries Summit began with the opening speech by Yavuz Ölken, CEO of AXA Türkiye. Sharing his views on the future of the industry, Ölken stated that, in the coming period, insurance will be reshaped not only around products and pricing, but also through a stronger focus on customer understanding, risk management, sustainability, and empathy.
Ölken also stated that the saz2026 Insurance Intermediaries Summit is more than just an event that brings together industry stakeholders; it is an important platform for discussing the future of insurance. He noted that the ideas generated and the dialogue fostered at such summits produce valuable outcomes for both the insurance ecosystem and the investment environment. Emphasizing the importance of understanding customers more effectively, Ölken stressed that this should be one of the industry's top priorities.
Stating that the sector should act in line with common goals without making distinctions between distribution channels, Ölken said: “Whatever we do, the choice of distribution channel belongs to the insured. What matters is being able to create an ecosystem in which all channels can develop together.”
Highlighting the rapid changes in customer expectations and lifestyles, Ölken stated that one of the sector’s critical priorities is determining how agencies can adapt to this new era.
In his speech, Ölken also addressed artificial intelligence and the competitive dynamics of the future, stating that insurance can no longer remain sustainable if it competes solely on price. He noted that future competition will be shaped by the ability to better understand customers, risks, and distribution channels, emphasizing that sustainable growth will only be possible through this approach.
“We need to strengthen an insurance approach that places people at the center,” said Ölken, emphasizing that empathy will become one of the most important competitive factors of the future. Reminding participants that insurance is built on a relationship of trust, Ölken stated that the bond established with customers is just as critical as technological transformation.
Concluding his speech with a striking message, Ölken described the current period for the industry as “a return to factory settings.” He emphasized the need to refocus on the core principles of insurance—trust, customer centricity, risk expertise, and long-term value creation—and expressed his confidence that the insurance industry will successfully accomplish this transformation.
The Inevitable Impact of the Digital Ecosystem and Artificial Intelligence Was Discussed
The first session of the second day featured the panel titled “The Inevitable Impact of the Digital Ecosystem and Artificial Intelligence: Operations, Lead Management, Agencies, and Online Distribution Channels,” moderated by Nihal Asker, CEO of RS Holding. The panel included keynote presentations by Sanem Çıngay Buçukoğlu, President of Sales, Corporate Communications, and Health at AXA Sigorta; Çiğdem Kılıç, Executive Vice President of Türkiye Sigorta; Cüneyt Aşuk, Deputy General Manager responsible for Technology at Agito; and Ataman Kalkan, CEO of Sigortam.net.
The panelists emphasized that artificial intelligence increases efficiency in many areas, from policy issuance processes to risk profiling, but that its real value lies in enabling a better understanding of customers and providing accurate guidance. It was noted that it has become critical for agencies to save time and focus more on customer interaction, while digital visibility is no longer a preference but a necessity. The panel also highlighted that insurance is not merely about issuing policies, but a structure that provides assurance and support at the moment of need, with data management and human-centered use of artificial intelligence expected to shape the future of the sector.
The second session, titled “The Growing Impact of Financial Distribution Channels on Insurance,” examined the development of bancassurance, the impact of participation finance on the insurance sector, and the growing adoption of alternative distribution models. The participants emphasized that integration within the financial ecosystem is one of the key drivers of increasing insurance penetration. Moderated by Cem Yılmazer, the panel featured Sami Kaya, Executive Vice President of Neova Sigorta; Asude Yüce Korkmaz, Consumer Finance Marketing Manager at Kuveyt Türk; Gökhan Sertsöz, Executive Vice President of BNPPC; and Ali Lülü, Group Director of Bancassurance at TEB, as speakers.
The third session, titled “A New Era in Corporate Risk Management and Intermediation,” focused on reinsurance mechanisms, the concept of resilience, and sustainability. The panel examined the concept of risk from multiple perspectives. Moderated by Cem Yılmazer, the session brought together Levent Atakan, Financial Services Sector Leader at Ernst & Young Türkiye; Barış Altın, Chief Technical Officer of AXA Sigorta; Bora Akdoğanlar, Chairman of the Board of the Corporate Risk Management Association; Ebru Yüksekbilgili, General Manager of Corporate Risk and Insurance at Lockton Omni Sigorta ve Reasürans Brokerliği; and Selçuk Tiftik, Chairman of the Board of REMED Assistance.
Accurately Identifying Protection Gaps Is Essential for Insurance
Speaking during the fourth session, titled “Preventive Insurance and the New Era of Risk Management,” Yavuz Ölken, CEO of AXA Türkiye, stated that changing lifestyles, technological transformation, and emerging risk areas are creating significant “protection gaps” in insurance, and that the future of the industry will be shaped by its ability to accurately identify and address these gaps. Emphasizing that protection gaps represent not only a risk but also a significant opportunity for the growth of the insurance industry and the strengthening of societal resilience, Ölken noted that preventive insurance will play a critical role in the sector’s 2030 vision. He added that, in the face of increasing risk complexity, the transition from systems that respond only after a loss has occurred to integrated systems capable of anticipating and managing risks in advance has become inevitable.
Highlighting that changing customer behavior is also transforming the insurance industry, Ölken stated that the expectations of younger generations, evolving lifestyles, and changing needs are reshaping the entire insurance value chain—from product design to distribution models. Ölken also noted that the role of agencies is evolving as part of this transformation. According to him, the agency of the future will stand out not merely by offering the most competitive premium, but by acting as a trusted advisor who understands customers, accurately assesses their risks, and develops sustainable solutions. He emphasized that investments in technology and customer insight are among the key drivers of this transformation..
The Future Looks Bright for Embedded Insurance Models
The fifth session focused on “Embedded Insurance and New Distribution Models.” One of the key themes of the discussion was the strong growth potential expected in embedded insurance as insurance products become increasingly integrated into a wide range of services and digital platforms. The panel was moderated by Gencay Genç, Managing Partner of Genç Sigorta. The speakers included Aydın Çağlan, Director of Bancassurance, Corporate Solutions, and Business Development at MetLife Türkiye; Erdem Çalışkan, CEO of Venhancer; Ayşe Seda Düğmeli, CEO of Insurext; and Buket Erşan, Executive Vice President of Fibasigorta.
The sixth session, titled “The Role of Big Data in Customer Management in the Insurance Industry,” focused on data-driven pricing, customer behavior analytics, and segmentation models. The panel emphasized that big data is not merely a technical tool, but a core element of strategic decision-making processes. Moderated by Cem Yılmazer, the session featured contributions from Aylin Akınlı Kaya, Director of Growth Strategies, Customer Experience, and Digital Platforms at AXA Sigorta; Erol Esentürk of Monopoli Sigorta; Selcen Doğan, CEO of Doğan Sigorta Reasürans Brokerliği; and Özgür Bülent Koç, Deputy General Manager of Türk Reasürans.
The final session of the day, titled “Next-Generation Insurance Opportunities and the Future,” explored perspectives on the future of the insurance industry. Moderated by Seda Bora Arkan, Director of International Business Development and Green Investments, the closing session examined not only traditional risks but also climate change and agricultural risks, cyber risks, protection models, and the future vision of insurance. Opening the discussion with the statement, “Climate change is no longer just the polar bear’s problem,” Arkan effectively captured the mindset and central theme of the session. The panel also featured valuable insights from Cenk Ecevit, President of the Insurance and Reinsurance Brokers Association, and Nihal Asker, CEO of RS Holding.
Concluding the summit, Seda Bora Arkan emphasized that the risks shaping the future of insurance will increasingly be driven by climate-related issues. She stressed that preparing for this new era is one of the insurance industry's key priorities, bringing the summit to a close with a strong focus on the sector’s future direction.
