Top Risk Themes of the Year
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December 2025
What 2025 Revealed—and How Smart Companies Are Preparing for 2026.
As the year comes to a close, a clear set of risk themes has emerged from conversations with business owners, exec- utives, and operations leaders; particularly across manufacturing, recycling, logistics, and pallet operations. While the industries may vary, the challenges are remarkably consistent. Claims data, underwriting feed- back, and real-world losses continue to point to the same pressure points.
This year was less about discovering new risks and more about confronting persistent ones that many businesses still underestimate or address too late. The good news: the same insurance and risk- control strategies discussed throughout the year remain the foundation for preparing for 2026.
What follows are the most consistent risk themes seen throughout the year, along with practical guidance on how companies can position themselves for 2026 and beyond.
1. Employee-Related Claims Remain the Primary Loss Driver
People risk continues to be the most predictable and preventable source of loss.
Across nearly every discussion, employee- related risk stood out as the most frequent and costly issue. Workers’ compensation claims, wage-and-hour disputes, and employment practices liability (EPLI) exposures continue to rise, especially in labor-intensive operations.
Common contributors included:
Inconsistent safety training
Lack of documented procedures
Poor injury reporting protocols
Supervisors unprepared to manage performance, discipline, or terminations.
Many companies relied on insurance alone to absorb these losses, only to see higher premiums, reduced capacity, or unfavorable underwriting terms. The recurring theme was clear: insurance without operational discipline is no longer sufficient.
Preparation for 2026: Businesses should treat workers’ comp and EPLI as controllable risks. This means investing in supervisor training, formal return-to-work programs, clear job descriptions, and consistent documentation. Insurers are increasingly rewarding companies that demonstrate proactive employee risk management—not just clean loss runs.