Two protection trends from IFA 2026

IFA Berlin is where the consumer electronics and home appliance industry shows what's next. This year's edition, from 4 to 8 September, drew 240,000 visitors from 155 countries and more than 2,000 exhibitors.

There was plenty to see, from humanoid robots on the runway and robot football in Hall 15 to smart home appliances and passenger drones. We tried one.

The most useful part, though, was the conversations with existing and new partners. Two trends came up again and again.

1. Furniture protection is becoming a revenue stream

Retailers are starting to offer protection for furniture, with cover against spills, stains, scratches, pet damage and more. For customers, it's an easy way to protect a large purchase they expect to keep for years. For retailers, it's a new revenue stream.

2. Warranties and insurance belong in the checkout

In electronics and home appliances, insurance and extended warranties are becoming a standard part of the purchase, offered directly in the checkout rather than after it.

Regulation points the same way. From 31 July 2026, EU countries apply the new right to repair rules (opens in a new tab): when a product is repaired under the legal guarantee, the guarantee is extended by 12 months, and manufacturers of products such as washing machines, fridges, smartphones and tablets must offer repairs beyond it. As repair becomes the default, protection built around repair fits naturally.

What it means for retailers and manufacturers

For e-commerce businesses, retailers and manufacturers, the case is the same in both categories: better protection for customers, more loyalty and an additional high-margin revenue stream.

If you sell online in Europe and haven't explored embedded insurance yet, we can build your business case in less than a day.

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