Every claim tells a story. As 2025 comes to a close, businesses that take time to reflect on last year’s losses are better positioned to reduce risk, control costs, and strengthen their insurance programs in 2026.
Claims are not just events to recover from — they are data points that reveal where operations, coverage, and processes can improve.
What 2025 Revealed About Risk
Across industries, 2025 reinforced a key truth: losses are rarely isolated incidents. Patterns emerged in workers compensation injuries, liability claims, cyber incidents, property losses, and auto accidents that point to broader operational issues.
In many cases, severity increased not because incidents were unavoidable, but because response timing, documentation, or coverage structure failed to keep pace with reality.
The Cost of Delayed Reporting
One of the most consistent lessons from 2025 claims was the impact of delayed reporting. Claims reported late often resulted in higher reserves, more complex investigations, and reduced carrier flexibility.
Prompt reporting improves outcomes, preserves credibility with adjusters, and limits escalation. Businesses that reinforced early reporting protocols consistently experienced smoother claim resolution.
Documentation Makes or Breaks Claims
Strong documentation continued to separate successful claims from costly disputes. Incomplete incident reports, missing photos, unclear witness statements, or inconsistent narratives created friction and delays.
Claims with clear documentation moved faster, closed sooner, and were more defensible during audits and renewals. This lesson applies across all lines, from workers compensation to property and liability.
Coverage Gaps Exposed by Real Losses
2025 claims also highlighted where coverage assumptions didn’t match reality. Sublimits, exclusions, waiting periods, and outdated endorsements surprised many insureds after losses occurred.
Cyber sublimits, business interruption waiting periods, EPLI exclusions, and property valuation gaps were common pain points. Claims don’t create coverage gaps — they reveal them.
The Role of Reserves and Renewal Impact
Claims reserves set in 2025 will influence underwriting decisions well into 2026. Businesses that actively engaged in reserve discussions and supported adjustments with documentation saw better renewal outcomes than those who took a passive approach.
Managing reserves is not about minimizing claims — it’s about ensuring accuracy and fairness.
Turning Claims Data Into Strategy
Claims data should inform more than insurance placement. It should shape training programs, safety initiatives, vendor controls, and internal policies.
Businesses that used 2025 losses as learning opportunities were able to implement targeted improvements rather than broad, unfocused changes.
Preparing for Stronger Outcomes in 2026
The most successful organizations entering 2026 are those that reviewed claims holistically, identified patterns, corrected weaknesses, and aligned coverage with real exposure.
A proactive approach reduces surprises, improves carrier confidence, and positions the business for more favorable pricing and terms.
How Skyscraper Insurance Supports Claims Strategy
At Skyscraper Insurance, we help clients analyze claims beyond the surface level. Our claims strategy process focuses on lessons learned, reserve accuracy, documentation improvement, and renewal positioning.
By carrying the right lessons forward, businesses can turn last year’s losses into next year’s strength.
A claims planning call before the new year begins can help ensure your 2026 strategy is built on insight, not hindsight.
