Evaluating 2026's Leading Trends With Gallagher Bassett's Claims and Risk Management Experts

Irina Simpson (IS): Trends such as increasing medical costs, rising jury awards, and an aging workforce emphasize the need for comprehensive and proactive risk management strategies. We're seeing several economic and regulatory factors come into play, starting with how businesses, governments, and various agencies are reevaluating their budgets, expenditures, and financial outlook and are changing their approach to risk and claims as a result.

Speaking from a claims perspective, mega claims present challenges for organizations looking to minimize their total cost of risk. These claims require more resources, faster and more comprehensive intervention, and higher caliber claims expertise to manage.

Christie Grant (CG): The field of risk management is evolving rapidly, driven by technological advancements, regulatory changes, and the increasing complexity of global risks. AI-powered risk management strategies are at the forefront of this transformation. As for predictions in 2026, we're keeping an eye on the continued adoption of AI and machine learning, the focus on cybersecurity, and the growth and automation of risk management processes, to name a few.

Laura Noble (LN): The complexity of claims and risk continues to grow, partly driven by changes to jurisdictional requirements and the impact these have on management strategies. Organizations can analyze vast amounts of historical data to inform decision-making, but they need to prepare for evolving conditions going forward. In addition, rising litigation rates introduce additional layers of complexity for claims management and potential expenses for organizations. Legal proceedings demand thorough and timely documentation, which can overwhelm claims adjusters.

Without effective systems in place, preparing for mediations, arbitrations, and trials can lead to missed deadlines and escalating legal costs. Addressing these challenges requires solutions that streamline operations and enhance efficiency, ensuring organizations are equipped to manage claims and risk effectively.

CG: We ensure alignment through a few key approaches:

• Our client-centric focus enables us to home in on each organization's specific goals and develop strategies that blend best practices with innovation.
• Data-driven analysis informs decision-making.
• We capitalize on the expertise available across verticals and industries so that we're implementing new ways of working.
• We provide flexible and adaptable solutions to respond to our clients' current and evolving needs.
• A consistent feedback loop drives change rooted in collaboration and communication.

IS: Our partnerships center on shared goals and priorities, and we establish key performance indicators (KPIs) based on these targeted outcomes. Understanding our clients' businesses and how various social and economic changes impact their results, brand, and long-term planning helps us align our goals.

We work closely with them to understand their plans for growth, learning how this may change their business model, their short- and long-term goals, and their strategies for managing economic changes. Once we know this, we can design a tailored set of KPIs to measure progress and use partnership meetings and stewardships to ensure continued alignment.

LN: At Gallagher Bassett, we understand the importance of aligning with our clients' culture and objectives, as well as minimizing disruptions within our operations. We foster partnerships built on trust, reliability, communication, and shared success, and through this collaborative approach, we can implement the solutions that address our clients' unique needs and help them stay ahead of the industry's trends. Whether supporting injured workers through their recovery or mitigating liability risk, we work closely with our clients to enhance operational efficiency and deliver measurable outcomes.

LN: Risk managers must embrace analytics and data-driven strategies to reduce the total cost of risk, specifically investing in predictive analytics to identify trends and proactively address risk. On top of that, they should focus on the strategies that deliver measurable outcomes, such as reducing claim frequency or improving claim resolution times. For example, in our partnerships at Gallagher Bassett, we leverage data to guide decision-making and program design. We collaborate closely with clients to understand their goals and then provide tailored recommendations that drive results, optimize risk management strategies, and create long-term value.

IS: The most important approach for risk managers is to identify how industry trends will specifically affect their programs and to advocate for the resources, whether it be technology or industry partners, that will set them on the right path.

For example, we partnered with a new client who positioned themselves for success in improving efficiency and effectiveness by forming collaborative partnerships with teams that understood and contributed to the workers' compensation program's goals for claims management and, more importantly, for prioritizing the care of their injured workers. To do this, they knew communication and alignment among the partners were paramount, so they instituted an approach that emphasized claims and litigation reviews and meetings focused on developing action plans and addressing gaps.

CG: Risk managers should look to enhance efficiency throughout their operation, which, for reducing the total cost of risk, means capitalizing on their resources and implementing targeted risk management strategies. For example, organizations can analyze their historical claims data to identify trends over time, and this helps create a sharper and more agile risk program and enhances overall resilience. Also, leveraging technology, automation, and AI-powered tools allows claims and risk professionals to focus on the human-side of our work, whether that be handling claims or developing holistic risk management practices.

IS: Our approach to technology is people driven. We develop and implement the technology that will empower our claims and risk professionals as well as provide the best support for the clients and claimants we serve.

For example, Gallagher Bassett Navigator is an AI-enabled claims engagement platform that helps our resolution managers prioritize their work, organize their day, and focus on what matters most, from prioritizing time-sensitive claims to assessing individual claim status. Then, data analytics and technology are powerful tools for mitigating increasing claim severity, specifically in identifying co-morbidities and psychosocial factors in developmental cases that may become severe. Through SMART Benchmarking, our Waypoint suite of tools, and more, we harness historical claims data and benchmarking to better understand emerging trends and patterns, which informs decision making and our strategies for overcoming challenges.

CG: Gallagher Bassett is leveraging advanced technologies, including predictive analytics, AI, and other innovative tools, to transform claims management and risk mitigation strategies. Some of our key focus areas in 2026 are early risk identification, automation within the claims process, fraud detection, data-driven insights, and virtual assistants to answer claim specific questions.

LN: Rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach, Gallagher Bassett uses predictive analytics and AI-powered tools to form a methodical, data-driven approach. The goals are simple: Reduce risk and costs, enhance efficiency, ensure compliance, and improve outcomes. We achieve these by analyzing client results, providing actionable insights, and shaping strategies that harness these learnings. Our tools are designed to integrate seamlessly into existing workflows and best practices, and we tailor our solutions to ensure that clients receive measurable outcomes while navigating intricate claims scenarios.

LN: Our innovative tools empower teams to work smarter, identify opportunities for improvement, and quickly course-correct to enhance claim outcomes. Our solutions are designed to integrate effortlessly into existing workflows, ensuring that technology adoption is smooth and painless for all teams involved. By combining cutting-edge technology with a commitment to personalized service, Gallagher Bassett ensures that clients benefit from operational excellence and meaningful engagement. This approach fosters trust, enhances collaboration, and delivers superior results, reinforcing Gallagher Bassett's reputation as a trusted partner in claims management.

CG: Gallagher Bassett takes a balanced approach that integrates advanced technology with the human element to deliver optimal outcomes in claims management, risk mitigation, and client service. This approach ensures that while technology enhances efficiency and accuracy, the human touch remains critical to building trust, empathy, and customized solutions. Gallagher Bassett is constantly looking for ways to improve the claimant and injured worker experience, specifically by driving down duration and prioritizing better outcomes.

IS: Providing exceptional service will always be the driving force behind our strategies. We're constantly looking for new ways to innovate and streamline the claims process, but we do this through a people-centric approach. The only way our business continues to thrive is if we empower our great claims professionals with user-friendly, supportive technology that helps them build strong relationships, reduce administrative work, and elevate meaningful and purposeful work. From a growth standpoint, young and upcoming talent in the industry has been raised on technology and expects a smooth, seamless work experience as they help injured workers, claimants, and other partners. They're equipped as digital natives to be champions of innovation.