Business Worries

From costs to interruptions to climate risks and regulating AI–these are issues that owners are worried about when it comes to their business for the next year.

Nearly all–93% of business owners–report feeling concerned that supply chain disruptions, in particular, will affect their business over the next 12 months, according to the 2025 Business Owners Survey by Gallagher.

Some 90% also report feeling concerned about the impact of tariffs as well.

For many business owners (65%), worries about their businesses are more likely to keep them up at night than personal matters, such as family.

The survey responses show business owners have growing concerns in three key areas: supply chain disruptions; weather/climate issues; and artificial intelligence and cyber risk.

According to the survey, the majority of business owners (73%) have dealt with supply chain disruptions that impacted their business in 2023 or 2024, or during both years. The good news is that three in four business owners (75%) have contingency suppliers in place to manage potential supply chain disruptions.

Product recall can have a direct and widespread effect on the supply chain, the survey noted. When asked if business owners were concerned about product recall, 89% of owners indicated they have some level of concern.

The survey also found that 91% of business owners are concerned that natural disasters will adversely affect their business.

Business owners identified flooding (41%) as the natural disaster risk they were most concerned with, followed by fire risk (39%), earthquakes (37%), severe storms (36%), tornadoes (33%), and hurricanes (31%).

Business owners also noted that the biggest threat when it comes to climate is either direct threats to their business or to one of their suppliers.

When it comes to cyber threats, nearly three-quarters of businesses (72%) feel extremely/very concerned that a cyberattack will affect their business over the next 12 months.

The survey revealed that 36% of business owners would like to acquire or expand insurance coverage for cyberattacks as well.

When asked about AI, almost all business owners (93%) reported feeling at least somewhat worried that the technology will affect their business over the next 12 months, compared to 85% who said the same last year.

Nearly all business owners surveyed said that AI misuse needs stronger regulation (95%) and better protection (90%). Even so, a large number (41%) reported they would be increasing their investment in AI technologies in 2025.