Gallagher Bassett, a global claims and risk management provider operating in the UK, Europe, Middle East, Asia, North America and Australia, highlighted how changing weather patterns are leading to rising costs in loss adjustments and increasing complexity in property claims.
Traditionally, insurers and claims agencies have been able to rely on seasonal patterns, regional risk profiles and established operating methods to plan claims responses with reasonable certainty. Gallagher Bassett noted that this predictability is now waning.
As a result, weather-related events not only increase claims volume, but also result in higher repair costs, more technical assessments, and the additional stress of lost claims capabilities.
Neil Mather, head of internal operations for Gallagher Bassett’s Europe, Middle East and Asia loss adjustment division, said the industry continues to see an increase in weather-related claims, which are linked to more frequent and less predictable events.
“A single claim may involve storm damage and flood intrusion, or a lightning strike resulting in fire damage. Greater complexity changes the operational reality of loss claims. This requires more comprehensive technical assessments, closer coordination with supply chain partners and a more agile response model.”
Gallagher Bassett highlighted that rising claims volume, complexity and surge in demand were putting pressure on the wider insurance market. As climate and catastrophe risks intensify, insurers are adjusting how they assess and price risk. The organization noted that its Carrier Perspective: Claims Insights 2026 report found that 57% of UK insurers are enhancing risk assessment and modeling, with the same proportion increasing premiums.
“These are not marginal adjustments,” Mather added. “They show that markets are recalibrating around new risk realities. Insurers are becoming increasingly precise in the way they price risk, but pricing alone will not solve operational challenges. The point of claims is that adjusters have to manage costs, and that’s the real volatility for customers.”
In response to these pressures, Gallagher Bassett has developed an integrated field and desk scaling model designed to flexibly deploy resources based on demand. The company has also increased its use of data-led decision-making, validation processes and real-time management information to support prioritization during periods of high activity.
The organization said its operating model is designed to address the financial impact of rising claims volume and repair complexity, as well as the operational demands arising from losses involving multiple causes, supplier and stakeholder requirements.
“Our response is built around operational agility and control,” Mather said. “Our model allows us to flexibly deploy resources as needs change, while ensuring claims are accurately assessed, progressed efficiently and managed with the level of care our customers expect.”
“At the same time, services cannot be limited to processes,” he further added. “The process provides important guidance, but our staff need to be flexible and responsive to the situation at hand. This means clear, one-on-one communication with claimants to understand what matters most.”
Looking ahead, Gallagher Bassett expects weather-related losses to remain a significant factor affecting claims activity and costs. The company expects the future of loss adjustment to involve increased investment in data and analytics, broader use of technology and artificial intelligence, more adaptable disaster response structures and closer collaboration between insurers, customers and claims partners.
“As weather events cause costs to rise and claims to become more complex, the ability to respond at scale becomes critical. By leveraging the capabilities of the UK’s wider global network, which includes key operations in the US, Australia and Asia, we can create 24-hour claims operations when required. This provides customers with greater continuity and control during surges, while helping to ensure complex losses are assessed, prioritized and dealt with without unnecessary delays.”
Mather concluded that resilience remains critical in a changing risk environment. “Clients want to trust their loss adjustment partner to respond to challenging situations with resilience and reliability. Gallagher Bassett is structured to manage volatility, not just react to it. Even during times of heightened disruption, our focus remains the same: delivering consistent, high-quality claims outcomes with speed, control, empathy and confidence.”
