The insurance claims industry is changing quickly, and some of the biggest shifts are happening behind the scenes. They may not make headlines outside of insurance, but they are having a real impact on how claims are handled, how long they stay open, and where the industry is headed next.
Three topics in particular stand out. None of them are entirely new, but all three have become regular points of conversation over the past year—and they’re worth keeping an eye on.
1. Electrical Component Availability Is Reshaping Business Interruption
If you’ve worked a commercial property claim recently, you’ve probably seen this firsthand.
Whether it’s a data center trying to replace specialized networking hardware or a manufacturing facility waiting on a critical transformer after a fire, sourcing electrical components has become one of the biggest variables affecting claim timelines.
The challenge isn’t adjusting the claim—it’s waiting for the equipment.
Industry forecasts continue to paint the same picture. S&P Global Mobility projects DRAM prices could increase between 70 and 100 percent during 2026 compared to the previous year, while Fusion Worldwide has reported lead times for new memory orders extending beyond 58 weeks.
The same story is playing out with power infrastructure. Utility organizations and the National Association of Home Builders have documented transformer and switchgear lead times that have stretched to 2-3 years in some cases. Recognizing the issue, the Department of Energy committed $375 million earlier this year to strengthen domestic transformer and grid component manufacturing.
One factor that often surprises people is the sheer lack of standardization. More than 80,000 different transformer designs are currently used across U.S. utilities, making large-scale manufacturing far more complicated than simply increasing production.
The result is a noticeable shift in commercial property claims. Files that once closed in a matter of months can now remain open for years —not because of coverage questions or claim complexity, but because the necessary equipment simply isn’t available.
It’s a reminder that business interruption today is increasingly being influenced by supply chain realities rather than claims handling itself.
2. Industry Consolidation Is Changing the Vendor Landscape
Another trend worth watching is the growing number of venture-backed companies expanding across multiple parts of the claims ecosystem.
Rather than specializing in one service, many organizations are building portfolios that include adjusting, engineering, estimating, managed repair, restoration, and other related services.
That isn’t inherently good or bad. There are certainly efficiencies that can come from bringing multiple services together under one organization.
At the same time, it does raise important questions for carriers, insureds, brokers, and others.
When several vendors on a preferred list ultimately share the same ownership, understanding those relationships becomes increasingly important. Transparency around referral patterns, business relationships, and organizational structure helps carriers evaluate how claims are being managed and whether the available options align with their goals.
As the industry continues to consolidate, knowing who owns what—and how those relationships fit together—will likely become an increasingly valuable part of vendor management.
3. AI Is Beginning to Mature, but the Most Valuable Applications Solve Real Problems
Artificial intelligence continues to dominate conversations throughout the claims industry, and understandably so.
Today, however, much of what is marketed as “AI” focuses on improving administrative tasks like summarizing files, organizing notes, or drafting correspondence. Those tools certainly save time, but they don’t necessarily address the biggest operational challenges carriers face.
The opportunities become much more interesting when AI is applied to problems that have traditionally been difficult to solve.
One example is wildfire mitigation.
Firescape has developed a platform that combines real-time monitoring with AI-driven risk modeling to help electric utilities identify wildfire exposure before it becomes a loss. Considering how many transformer shortages today stem from fire-related damage, helping prevent those events altogether may ultimately create more value than simply processing claims faster afterward.
Another example is EliteVerify and its RiskScore360 platform.
Rather than relying solely on traditional background checks, the platform combines identity verification, document authentication, sanctions screening, behavioral analysis, and network intelligence to identify risks that conventional screening often misses. For insurers regularly evaluating contractors, vendors, and claimants, this type of intelligence has practical applications well beyond simple automation.
These examples highlight what many in the industry are beginning to recognize: AI creates the greatest value when it tackles difficult operational problems, not just repetitive administrative tasks.
Looking Ahead
None of these trends exist in isolation.
Each of these developments is influencing the future of claims in different ways. Understanding them—and planning for them—will help insurers, adjusters, and service providers better navigate an industry that continues to evolve.
Comment below your thoughts… what are some other concerns that you are hearing?
