79% of Gen Z Have Never Considered a Career in Insurance, New Cake & Arrow Report Finds
A new report from New York-based Cake & Arrow uncovers a widening disconnect between Gen Z’s career expectations and how the insurance industry can meet those needs. More specifically, the survey reveals how the insurance industry is perceived, warning that the gap could complicate talent replacement as 400,000 insurance workers approach retirement by 2026.
The report, Why Gen Z is Ambivalent About Working in Insurance, found that 79% of Gen Z respondents have never considered working in insurance, while nearly half (49%) say they have no interest in doing so. Yet, 55% still view the industry positively—a perception paradox that suggests younger workers recognize insurance’s societal value but fail to see where they fit within it.
“Trust Gap” Undermines Recruitment
“Insurance has many of the qualities Gen Z is looking for in a career, but they don’t see it that way,” said Josh Levine, CEO and founder of Cake & Arrow. “When 11 of 12 people in our study say insurance companies will do whatever they can to deny claims, it exposes a trust gap—but also an opportunity to rebuild purpose.”
Levine said the industry’s mission—to protect people intimes of uncertainty—aligns with Gen Z’s desire for meaningful work. He called on the industry to involve younger professionals in reimagining the industry “from the inside out,” fostering innovation and restoring trust.
What Gen Z Wants from Work
The findings, based on a national survey of 519 Gen Z respondents and 12 qualitative interviews, show a generation that values both stability and modern work environments:
- 66% value financial stability
- 41% prioritize work-life balance
- 39% want flexibility
- 41% seek values-driven employers but remain skeptical about insurance ethics
Although pragmatic about money, many Gen Z respondents described insurance careers as “boring” (67%) or overly corporate. Only 16% expressed interest in working for large organizations.
A Call for Cultural Modernization
The report urges insurers to bridge the gap not simply through improved recruiting, but by engaging Gen Z directly—linking insurance’s strengths of stability, purpose, and impact to modern expectations of flexibility and collaboration.
“Connecting with new talent requires listening and co-creating with this generation,” the report concludes, “aligning the industry’s promise of protection with Gen Z’s pursuit of purpose.”
The report cites various opportunities to engage this cohort including:
- Modernizing CX to appeal to Gen Z
- Introducing modern tools to make work agile and innovative
- Using storytelling and human-centered design to shift perceptions
For those interested in downloading the full report, it can be accessed here: Gen Z & Insurance: Why Gen Z is Ambivalent About Working in Insurance
