APP Tech has launched a major upgrade to First Report Portal, the field-facing interface of the Cloud Claims platform. The new design gives organizations a faster, smarter way to capture and manage incidents, delivering the intuitive usability, automation, and efficiency that modern risk and claims teams demand.

This isn’t just a design refresh. It’s a step forward in connecting every stakeholder — from the employee in the field to the claims manager in the HQ office — through a seamless, centralized experience.

Note: Existing First Report clients already have the ability to use the new portal. Just contact support to turn it on.

What’s New in First Report Portal

View and update submitted reports

Submitters can now log in to review past incidents, make edits to an existing case, or upload photos and documentation as they become available. No more tracking updates through emails or making follow-up phone calls.

Configurable, industry-tailored workflows

The tool adapts to each client’s operational model. A restaurant chain with hundreds of locations, for example, is using a mobile-friendly First Report Portal web form that automatically routes data to Cloud Claims in real time.

Built-in approval and review

For industries where supervisor approval is required, incidents can now enter a pending review state. Supervisors can approve, amend, or return reports for correction before they move forward — ensuring accuracy and compliance from the start.

Secure, role-based access

Role-based permissions and audit trails maintain compliance and data integrity while keeping information flowing smoothly and securely.

Why User-Friendly Design Matters

In claims management, usability isn’t cosmetic — it’s critical. When submission tools are confusing or outdated, accuracy drops, and valuable time is lost. The redesigned First Report Portal interface was built for real-world users — field employees, supervisors, and claims teams who need to document incidents quickly and correctly.

• The clean, mobile-first layout guides users through required fields.
• Clear prompts reduce errors and prevent incomplete entries.
• Simplified navigation helps field teams focus on capturing facts, not fighting the form.

When it’s easier to report incidents, organizations collect better data — leading to faster claims resolution, fewer administrative delays, and greater visibility into risk trends.

“If you make it easier for me to get information to the adjuster, and then our field teams can make additions or edits as new information becomes available, everything gets easier. It’s not fire and forget. It’s part of a process we can see and manage.”

— Bill Nagle, National Sales & Marketing Director

Built for Automation and Efficiency

Behind the user-friendly design lies an intelligent automation engine that streamlines the entire intake process. Every submission triggers predefined workflows, routing approvals, alerts, and data integrations automatically. That means:

• Field reports instantly notify supervisors and claims managers.
• Photos, forms, and attachments link directly to the corresponding record in Cloud Claims.
• Approved reports flow seamlessly into the claim file — no duplicate entry required.

This automation turns what used to be a manual, error-prone process into a real-time, reliable data and process engine. It shortens cycle times, eliminates bottlenecks, and gives clients confidence that every submission begins with accurate, actionable information.

Competitive Advantage: Designed Differently

Many RMIS vendors offer submission tools, but few match the polish, configurability, and integration of APP Tech’s First Report Portal. With a no-code setup, APP Tech can configure and deploy the interface for any client — often within hours. That speed, paired with deep customization, gives organizations control over their own process without the burden of IT intervention.

Most importantly, First Report Portal is part of the Cloud Claims ecosystem — a single, secure source of truth for incidents, claims, and analytics. By keeping every update within the same environment, clients gain unmatched visibility, auditability, and efficiency.

APP Tech’s advantage is simple: empowerment through usability and integration.

See the New First Report Portal in Action

The redesigned experience is now live! For self-insured organizations, specialty carriers, and TPAs, the first step in claims management just got an upgrade. Explore the new First Report Portal and see how APP Tech makes incident intake faster, easier, and more efficient — from the field to final claim.

Schedule a demo to learn how Cloud Claims can help you modernize your incident reporting and streamline your claims operations.

The post Introducing the New First Report Experience Portal: Smarter, Simpler Incident Submission in Cloud Claims appeared first on APP Tech.

Risk and claims teams hold a powerful bargaining chip in the market: high-quality, centralized data. The fact is, insurers increasingly reward organizations that demonstrate transparency, accuracy, and proactive risk management. And with good reporting, risk and claims leaders can highlight positive trends, prove incident avoidance or reduction, and justify lower premiums. So, defensible data doesn’t just protect against losses — it strengthens your insurance position, too.

Why defensible data is insurance leverage

When renewal season arrives, organizations with clear, accurate claims history negotiate from a position of strength. A defensible trail of incidents and claims provides underwriters with confidence that the information is free from duplication or gaps, and data that shows reductions in claim frequency and severity becomes tangible proof of risk improvement. Insurers see this as evidence of accountability and proactive management.

Companies that rely on fragmented systems or spreadsheets, on the other hand, have less negotiating power. And because of it, they often face slower responses, hidden exposures, and inflated premiums.

How Cloud Claims makes data defensible

Cloud Claims, APP Tech’s incident-based claims management solution, equips organizations to turn raw incident reports into actionable leverage. Its incident-based architecture ensures accuracy from the start, creating a trustworthy audit trail that fosters clarity. Flexible, on-demand reporting gives leaders the ability to generate customized reports that spotlight safety improvements and claims-handling efficiency. And with full visibility into workplace trends, organizations can demonstrate reductions in incident frequency and severity and present them confidently to insurers. This is the kind of reliable, defensible history that directly supports stronger insurance negotiations and lower premiums.

“You can have all of the fancy tools, but if your data quality is not good, you’re nowhere.”

– Veda Bawo, Director of Data Governance at Raymond James – atlan.com.

Beyond premiums: building resilience and trust

Simply put, transparency and accuracy build stronger relationships with carriers. Linking data to safety outcomes connects insurance benefits directly to workplace risk reduction. In every case, defensible data fosters resilience by equipping leaders with insight they can act on — and prove. 

According to a recent survey, organizations that leverage advanced data analytics in insurance operations are more likely to negotiate favorable terms because they can demonstrate reduced loss frequency and severity trends. Avenga

In the P&C space, some insurers now offer discounts or preferential pricing to customers that can provide transparent, high-fidelity incident and claims data — effectively rewarding investment in defensible systems. Zurich

Turn your data into leverage

Insurance negotiations are no longer about what you say — they’re about what you can show. Cloud Claims helps organizations demonstrate positive trends and incident reduction through flexible reporting, so leaders can contain costs and build credibility with carriers. The ability to pair transparency with accountability turns renewal discussions into opportunities, rather than hurdles. See every risk. Prevent every loss. Prove it with defensible data.

Contact APP Tech today to learn how Cloud Claims can help your organization present defensible data, uncover trends, and negotiate better insurance outcomes.

The post Strengthening insurance negotiations with defensible data appeared first on APP Tech.

We were excited to see APP Tech featured in the Verdantix Smart Innovators: Claims Management Software report (June 2025), alongside major industry players like Appian, Pega, and DXC Technology. And while we’re proud to be included, we’re even prouder of what set us apart: our unique, incident-based approach to claims and risk management.

This recognition reinforces what many of our customers already know — Cloud Claims is built for where the industry is going. 

Why APP Tech was called out

Verdantix highlighted our ability to do more than just process claims. Unlike legacy claims management systems that wait for a claim to be filed, our platform puts incidents at the center.

From page 9, Verdantix, Smart Innovators: Claims Management Software, June 2025:

“APP Tech leverages its robust incident management foundation to enhance claims management operations. Its solution combines the capabilities of CMS and a risk management information system (RMIS), capturing and connecting all relevant data from the moment an incident occurs, to deliver a unified, real-time view within a centralized system. This seamless integration ensures that all subsequent updates, including claims data, are automatically reflected. … This approach ensures consistent visibility, timely stakeholder engagement and proactive risk mitigation.”

Analysts will write like analysts, but what all that really means is that with Cloud Claims, our customers experience faster response times, more accurate data, better risk prevention, and stronger collaboration across teams.

Built for digital transformation in the real world

In the same report, Verdantix cited APP Tech (alongside DXC Technology) as a key innovator in digital claims transformation, noting that today’s leading claims management providers are responding to growing pressure for faster, more transparent, and cost-efficient solutions. The most forward-thinking platforms are cloud-native, built to initiate workflows at the incident level, and equipped with intelligent automation to streamline every step of the process. These adaptable, scalable tools are setting the standard for what modern organizations expect — and need — to stay competitive in a fast-evolving landscape.

From page 12, Verdantix, Smart Innovators: Claims Management Software, June 2025:

“Vendors such as APP Tech and DXC Technology are deploying solutions designed to centralize the handling of various claim types, such as workers’ compensation, general liability, auto and property, within a single platform. From one incident, multiple claims can be created and tied back to that single event. Consolidating claims data across departments, locations and insurance lines provides a unified view of all incidents and associated costs. This model ensures the consistent tracking of each claim’s life cycle, enables root cause analysis and supports more effective reporting and oversight. It eliminates data silos and aligns risk, finance and compliance teams around a shared, accurate source of truth. It also captures both direct and indirect costs, making it easier to identify trends, benchmark performance and forecast future risk exposure.”

Why our approach matters

We believe better claims management starts with seeing the full picture, right from the start. That’s why our approach kicks in at the incident level — giving teams the chance to step in early, take action fast, and head off bigger problems down the road. With more context and real-time data at your fingertips, it’s easier to make smart calls when they matter most. And because our system’s built to flex with how real teams actually work, it keeps things moving — even when things get complicated.

What makes APP Tech different

We keep things simple — and powerful. Cloud Claims is easy to get up and running, doesn’t demand a big IT lift, and gives you the visibility you need across every incident and claim. But the real difference? Our team. We’ve been in the trenches with risk and claims professionals, and we bring that know-how to everything we do. From setup to support, we’re with you — not just as a tech vendor, but as a partner who gets what you’re up against and knows how to help.

Let’s connect

The claims world is evolving fast — and organizations need solutions that can keep up. With AI, automation, and cloud capabilities reshaping expectations, Cloud Claims is already delivering where others are still catching up. We’re honored by the recognition from Verdantix — but what matters most is what it means for you.

If you’re ready for a better way to manage risk and resolve claims, contact us to start the conversation.

The post APP Tech gets a nod in recent independent analyst report on claims software appeared first on APP Tech.

The pain shows up in all the usual places:

• Manual workarounds that waste time and money
• Disjointed data that delays insight
• Expensive software with limited configurability and lackluster support
• Compliance gaps and unchecked risk
• Frustrated customers and underwhelmed leadership
• Systems that just don’t scale — or even integrate

At some point, it becomes clear that the status quo costs more than the solution.

The hidden costs of outdated systems — and unresponsive vendors

Spreadsheets and legacy platforms aren’t just clunky — they’re expensive. Not just in dollars, but in delays, errors, and missed opportunities. Workarounds become standard operating procedure. Reports take so long to generate that they’re old, irrelevant news by the time they reach decision-makers. In some cases it gets so bad that leaders stop asking for insights altogether. They’ve given up.

And it’s not just the software. The hidden costs of poor vendor support — slow implementations, limited configurability, expensive custom programming, and humdrum service — can be crippling.

When your tech partner isn’t keeping pace with your needs, you’re throwing good money after bad.

Customer experience takes a hit

Customers expect real-time updates, fluid workflows, clear communication, and simple self-service tools. But outdated and ill-fitting claims systems make even the basics difficult. Claims drag out. Status updates are too vague to be useful. And, alas, frustration builds, and trust erodes.

This isn’t just an annoyance — it’s a measurable problem. Operational inefficiencies contribute to nearly $140 billion in claims-related leakage and delays across the industry, and 82% of claims still take more than 30 days to process. ^[1]

Good news: Here’s where purpose-built claims and risk management platforms, like Cloud Claims, shine — streamlining processes from end to end, improving response times, producing insights you can actually use, and fostering outcomes that lead to lower claims costs and fewer claims.

Risk and compliance vulnerabilities rise

Regulations evolve constantly. And unfortunately, homegrown and legacy solutions often leave organizations exposed to audits, fines, and reputational risk.

The risk extends to cybersecurity, too. Research shows that nearly 40% of cyberattacks exploit unpatched or outdated software, making legacy systems an open invitation for data breaches and regulatory penalties ^[2]

Good news: Cloud Claims, APP Tech’s incident-based claims management solution, is designed for security, to enforce consistency, and to maintain an audit-ready trail — so your team can proactively manage risk and stay compliant.

Outdated systems block growth

As your business grows, your claims system should scale with you. But too often, legacy systems can’t handle rising claim volumes, expanding operations, or the need for real-time data and analytics.

And the cost of maintaining these outdated systems is staggering. Seventy percent of IT budgets in insurance are devoted to legacy system maintenance, consuming resources that could be driving innovation. IT spending in the sector is expected to reach $291 billion in the next year — much of it tied up in outdated infrastructure.^[3]

For smaller organizations, the hidden costs are just as damaging. An average SME with 100 users spends more than $92,000 annually maintaining outdated software, through a combination of support expenses, productivity loss, and inefficiencies. Even modest upgrades can yield a full return on investment in under two years.^[4]

Good news: Cloud Claims is built to scale — integrating with modern tech stacks and adapting to your ever-shifting needs. Whether you’re adding new lines of business, expanding to new geographies, or simply processing more claims, you’ll have the confidence and flexibility to grow how you like.

The tipping point — when doing nothing is no longer an option

Eventually, the pain of Excel-based systems or software that doesn’t fit your business becomes systemic. Complex claims are getting costlier. Turnover is rising. Compliance concerns keep surfacing. Reports are slow, outdated, or just not very useful.

Your team is relying on green screens while the rest of the industry runs on smartphones.

This isn’t just an IT issue. It’s a strategic imperative. When you reach this point, the real question isn’t whether to invest — it’s whether you can afford not to.

The ROI of doing it right

Cloud Claims delivers measurable impact by smoothing operations and equipping stakeholders to make better decisions across the board. With automated workflows, teams can eliminate repetitive tasks and focus on higher-value work. Real-time reports deliver eye-opening insights that improve oversight and responsiveness. Compliance is strengthened with built-in controls and audit-ready records, reducing risk and administrative burden.

And with faster claims resolution and clearer communication, the customer experience improves dramatically. Cloud Claims isn’t a patch — it’s a performance upgrade, built to support your operation today and evolve with your business as time goes on.

Don’t wait for a crisis

Upgrading your claims and risk systems is a proactive move. It doesn’t have to wait until something breaks. The sooner you act, the more stability, efficiency, and competitive swagger you gain. When the cost of inaction is higher than the cost of change, the choice becomes clear. Make the move to a purpose-built claims management system, and instead of asking yourself, “Should we do this?” you’ll be saying “We should have done this sooner.”

^[1] Operational Inefficiencies in Insurance and How Technology Can Fix Them
^[2] The Hidden Dangers of Outdated Software: A Cyber Security Perspective
^[3] Your Legacy Software is Eating 70% of Your IT Budget – Here’s the Exit Strategy
^[4] How Much Is Outdated Software Really Costing You? Invisible Expenses Revealed

The post When managing claims becomes too painful to ignore appeared first on APP Tech.

We had a clever booth concept, inspired by the iconic dog-in-fire meme (playing on the all-too-familiar chaos of claims and risk management), and bins full of stuffed dogs to hand out.

Then our booth disappeared.

One of the shipping cases went missing somewhere between here and Chicago. No signage. No banners. No display structure. Suddenly, our tongue-in-cheek booth theme about claims chaos became wildly on brand.

Stuff happens. And when it does, you adapt. What followed was a scrappy, funny, and genuinely rewarding few days that reminded us why we love this space — and how much you can accomplish with the right mindset, the right team, and a few floppy-eared fire dogs.

When “this is fine” became real

RISKWORLD is the premier event for claims and risk professionals — risk managers, legal, compliance, brokers, and tech innovators. We came prepared to make a splash.

Until we didn’t have a booth.

As Paul put it in an email to the team:
“You’ll never believe this, but the exhibit services company has lost one of the cases for our booth. Without it, the booth display is dead in the water! We’re preparing a Plan B… but the ‘this is fine’ meme might be closer to reality than we anticipated.”

Ah, well. We borrowed some basic materials from the exhibitor services crew and turned on some hustle. Paul even spun up a quick video loop for the loaner TV. It wasn’t the booth we planned — but it worked. And honestly, it matched the theme a little too well.

The dogs delivered

We gave out dozens of the “This is fine” plush dogs within the first few hours. One attendee asked if they could take one for their kid — then paused and admitted, “Well, actually, it’s for me.” Attendees were tracking us down from across the exhibit hall.

After we ran out on the first day, we heard someone say, “I think it was over here somewhere…” then squealed when they spotted someone walking by with one. We wish we had it on video.

The takeaway? Great storytelling, even at an industry trade event, doesn’t have to be boring. A well-timed laugh can spark real conversations — and open doors to deeper connections about the serious business of managing risk.

Lessons from the floor

RISKWORLD gave us more than a memorable story to tell. It reminded us of a few core truths that power everything we do at APP Tech:

• Adaptability is everything. Whether you’re standing in a half-baked booth in Chicago or navigating a claims crisis, the ability to pivot matters. Our team stayed calm, collaborated, and kept our goals in sight.
• Imperfection creates connection. We showed up imperfect — and human. That vulnerability opened more doors than a pristine booth ever could.
• Engagement starts with emotion. People didn’t line up for a sales pitch. They came for a smile, stayed for a chat, and left remembering who we were.

Why RISKWORLD was worth it

Even with the booth bungle, RISKWORLD 2025 was a fantastic event for the APP Tech team. We connected with risk and claims leaders across the spectrum — from compliance and operations to IT and finance.

We took in forward-looking session tracks on risk management analytics, accident tracking, AI and claim handling, captive utilization and more. We learned what’s keeping risk professionals up at night — and how we can better serve them with the next evolution of our claims management software and RMIS tools.

Our DevOps & Support Engineer, Hector, even called it his favorite RISKWORLD yet.

For us, that says it all.

Let’s put out the fire and get your claims process under control

If your current claims and risk processes feels like a crisis — or if you’re just tired of settling for “fine” — let’s talk. APP Tech helps claims and risk teams move from chaos to control with smarter, more adaptable, incident-based software.

Connect with our team, and let’s talk about:

• What’s broken (and what isn’t)
• How you’re managing risk events in real time
• What you wish your claims platform could do

We’ll bring the coffee — and maybe a few stuffed dogs.

The post This is fine: What a shipping snafu, a stack of stuffed dogs, and a sea of risk pros taught us at RISKWORLD appeared first on APP Tech.

Miller & Long streamlined claims operations and improved risk response with Cloud Claims

Industry: Commercial construction
Solution: Cloud Claims by APP Tech
Key benefits: Centralized data and workflows, faster processing, real-time insight and collaboration, simplified compliance, and long-term platform stability

Building and evolving on tradition

Founded in 1947, Miller & Long has grown from pouring sidewalks to reshaping city skylines. As a structural concrete contractor, with operations across the Mid-Atlantic region, the company manages complex, high-risk projects that demand operational precision — especially when it comes to risk and claims management.

Deborah Carr, vice president of insurance at Miller & Long, has been part of that evolution for more than 25 years. “We’ve always believed in building from within,” Carr says. “From skilled trades to claims systems, we believe in keeping our expertise in-house. But even that model needs to evolve with the times.”

For more than two decades, Miller & Long relied on a homegrown, custom-built claims management system called Odyssey. While functional in its early years, Odyssey was aging out of relevance. “It was built on Delphi 7, which hasn’t been supported for years,” says Doug Shobe, Director of IS at Miller & Long. “We couldn’t modernize, and we couldn’t scale.” 

“This wasn’t just a system upgrade — it was a shift in how we manage risk, respond to incidents, and align technology with our business goals.”
— Deborah Carr, Vice President of Insurance, Miller & Long

The challenge: Legacy technology meets operational risk

Odyssey was developed internally during the Windows XP era and remained unchanged for years. But as business needs changed, the system couldn’t keep up, Shobe explains. It required manual code updates for even minor changes, and critical components were increasingly incompatible with modern IT environments.

“Our original developer had retired, and our newer team members were struggling to keep the platform alive,” Shobe says. “Every time we needed to tweak a form or respond to a regulation, we were in the weeds — testing and debugging just to stay compliant.” 

The lack of agility was more than an IT problem — it was a risk. Miller & Long’s insurance operations support a 24/7, 365-day business. With complex cases, ever-shifting compliance requirements, and multiple involved stakeholders, the company needed more than just a place to store claims data — it needed a living, responsive system that could drive productivity and efficiency now and grow with the company.

The solution: A claims platform built for modern risk management

In 2024, Miller & Long began searching for a replacement that could offer security, configurability, and real-world usability. After evaluating several options, they selected Cloud Claims by APP Tech — a modern, cloud-based claims management software built specifically for organizations in medium- to high-risk industries managing high-volume, high-stakes claims.

Carr notes a unique alignment in culture as well as technology fit: “It felt natural to partner with a team that truly understands the space, and APP Tech understands the insurance industry because they’re rooted in it. Their deep industry knowledge and practical experience made them stand out, and they proved that they deliver big — innovation, responsiveness, and real-world solutions. Their flexibility and their approach is the right fit for our needs, both operationally and culturally.”

Miller & Long officially transitioned to Cloud Claims on January 1, 2025. The migration from Odyssey was substantial, moving over 20 years’ worth of data, but the rollout was smooth, and user adoption began immediately.

“Cloud Claims brought us structure, speed, and visibility we didn’t even realize we were missing.”
— Victor Villacorta, Insurance Claim Representative, Miller & Long

The results: Streamlined operations and real-time visibility

Today, Cloud Claims is deeply integrated into Miller & Long’s daily operations. The system manages claims from intake to closure, centralizing all activity logs, documents, correspondence, and timelines. It also enables collaboration with legal partners, case managers, and adjusters — ensuring that every stakeholder has access to accurate, timely information.

“Cloud Claims brought us structure, speed, and visibility we didn’t even realize we were missing,” says Victor Villacorta, Insurance Claim Representative at Miller & Long.

Carr adds: “This wasn’t just a system upgrade. It was a shift in how we manage risk, respond to incidents, and align technology with our business goals.”

Among the most relied-upon features is diary management, which supports accountability and transparency throughout the claims lifecycle. “You need to be able to tell the story of every claim,” Carr says. “With diary management, we don’t lose sight of deadlines or follow-ups. It’s helping us maintain control over a complex, fast-moving operation.”

A platform — and partnership — for the future

While Miller & Long is still fine-tuning its new environment and adapting workflows, the benefits of Cloud Claims are already clear: better visibility, faster processes, reduced manual effort, and scalable modernization.

More importantly, the organization feels confident in its technology partnership. “We’re not a number to them,” Carr says. “APP Tech listens. They respond. They help us tailor the system so it works the way we work. That kind of relationship is rare — and it’s why this was the right move.”

The post Miller & Long streamlined claims operations and improved risk response with Cloud Claims appeared first on APP Tech.

A senior leader needs visibility into a specific category of claims — by location, over a 12-month period, segmented by type. “Can we get that by the end of the week?” they ask.

But for the claims manager, it’s not that simple. That data is buried and scattered across emails, spreadsheets, PDFs, and a paper notebook. And while formal claims are all tracked, incidents and near-misses are not. Pulling all this information together will mean hours of digging, cross-checking, reformatting — and even then, there’s a risk it won’t be 100 percent accurate.

What leadership sees as a routine reporting request — and a reasonable one — feels, to the claims team, daunting. Cue panic.

Simple request vs. complex reality: One report is never just one report

Leaders expect timely insights, and claims teams want to deliver. But legacy tools and disconnected systems can make it feel impossible.

It starts with data capture. If your team isn’t logging information and images at the scene of an incident (First Report), you’re already introducing blind spots.

Data wrangling often requires pulling from different systems, each with its own inefficiencies and quirks. And as information is gathered, inconsistencies emerge, and tiny mistakes can wreak havoc. For example, if dropdowns weren’t available when the data was input, a misspelled word or ambiguous label can make data unfindable. Formatting issues and missing fields make it hard to filter or segment claims in meaningful ways.

When existing tools fall short, team members often resort to workarounds. They create additional spreadsheets, jot down notes, or store data in their inboxes — all in an effort to “make it work.” But this complicates an already complicated issue and moves your organization further away from a single source of truth.

It all adds up to more time spent searching, double-checking, and reformatting — and a higher likelihood that something slips through the cracks. It’s not just inefficient. It’s frustrating and demoralizing.

What chaos costs your claims operation

When visibility is retrofitted instead of built into the system, the impact ripples across the organization.

Operationally, decision-making slows as teams scramble for context. Delays in communication create confusion or rework. Risk exposure increases when leaders are forced to act without complete information. And financially, missing or incorrect data leads to higher reserves and inflated payouts. These avoidable errors can take a direct toll on the bottom line.

Culturally, the effects are just as damaging. When teams are overwhelmed by manual work and constant urgency, they can begin to feel undervalued. Morale dips. Burnout sets in. Turnover rises. And outside the organization, the ripple effect can reach your customers. When claims are delayed or mishandled, frustration builds — and your brand reputation takes a hit.

What claims managers wish leadership understood

Most claims professionals are invested in protecting the organization and doing right by their teams. They want leadership to understand that visibility can’t be added after the fact. It has to be woven into the claims process from the very beginning. Real-time insight isn’t possible when information lives in silos, and while most teams are more than willing to dig for answers, they need tools that make it feasible.
Your risk and claims professionals want to be empowered with the right technology, not only to answer questions, but to proactively identify patterns and potential exposures — and to deliver game-changing insights no one even thought to ask for.

The fix: Proactive visibility with Cloud Claims

Cloud Claims is designed to give your organization an edge in proactive claims and risk management.

With Cloud Claims, incident and claims data are captured and centralized in a single platform. Real-time dashboards and automated reporting replace the scramble with strategic clarity, and because Cloud Claims connects risk, legal, finance, and safety in one system, it empowers enhanced collaboration across teams. Less firefighting, more informed decisions, and trust across departments.

A better question for leadership to ask

“How can we empower our claims team to get ahead of the request?”

When teams are dealing with emergencies on the ground, they don’t have the luxury of looking up and ahead. Investing in a purpose-built technology platform is more than a budget decision: It’s about investing in people’s time and expertise, and unleashing new insights, efficiencies, and opportunities. It’s about empowering teams to roll up their sleeves, follow their own instincts, and look into the data, beyond what leadership is asking for.

Take the example of a transportation company that centralized their claims and risk management and discovered accidents were happening at a high rate late in shifts. They saw a trend in the data, implemented shorter shifts and more breaks, and accidents went down.
When consistency and visibility are built in, everyone benefits. Leadership gets deeper insight, teams feel more empowered, and outcomes improve.

Is your team spending more time chasing down information and building reports than improving outcomes? Let’s chat about ways to fix that.

The post Leaders, here’s what your claims managers wish you knew appeared first on APP Tech.

For context, recent data shows self-insured businesses and insurance providers are seeing more workers’ compensation claims, higher liability risks, and increasing property damage expenses. Add inflation, more lawsuits, and tougher regulations, and those costs just keep climbing.

Between 2020 and 2022, the price of materials and labor shot up by 55 percent (Insurance Information Institute), making property claims way more expensive. Insurance rates in high-risk industries have also been climbing, by an average of 12.5 percent annually (Bipartisan Policy Center), forcing businesses to absorb higher premiums and deductibles. On top of that, fraudulent claims and legal system abuse are adding even more pressure, especially when it comes to workers’ comp and liability cases (Insurance Information Institute).

For self-insured businesses, this all means setting aside more money for claims reserves, which can strain finances. For insurers, it leads to higher premiums and lower profits. The good news: There’s an easy way to get ahead of this challenge with a smarter, more proactive approach to managing claims. More on that later in this article.

What’s Driving Up Claims Costs?

One of the biggest reasons claims are getting more expensive is workplace injuries. In industries like construction and logistics, accidents happen all the time — and they’re not cheap. Strains, falls, and equipment-related injuries often lead to long recovery times, rising medical bills, and bigger disability claims. Medical costs for workers’ comp have been outpacing inflation for years, and as the workforce ages, injury severity is going up, leading to longer rehab and higher payouts.

Then there’s property and equipment damage. If you’re self-insured and working with vehicles, heavy machinery, or buildings, you know how expensive repairs can get. Inflation and supply chain issues have made it pricier than ever to fix or replace vehicles, while extreme weather events like wildfires and hurricanes are sending property claims through the roof.

To compound the problem, cargo theft has hit unprecedented levels. One particularly damaging trend is “strategic cargo theft,” where bad actors pose as legitimate carriers to steal entire shipments. These incidents are difficult to recover from and often go unresolved, putting additional financial pressure on carriers and shippers. 

The issue has grown so severe that federal lawmakers are now addressing what’s being called “Grand Theft Cargo.”

And let’s not forget about lawsuits. Legal costs are skyrocketing thanks to what’s known as “social inflation” — basically, more lawsuits, bigger jury awards, and aggressive legal tactics. Liability claims are getting hit hard, and with more third-party litigation funding out there, businesses and insurers are seeing more claims head to court, which means even higher costs.

According to insights from Adam Green, SVP at Risk Strategies Company, the frequency of bodily injury and property damage claims against brokers has climbed, and longstanding insurers have exited the space entirely. As a result, underwriting standards have tightened dramatically, with insurers demanding more rigorous vetting, raising premiums and deductibles, and increasingly excluding coverage for theft and fraud. 

The Human Impact of Rising Claims Costs

Behind the numbers is a very real effect on the people we all serve. Tighter budgets mean tough choices, and cost-cutting often leads to fewer resources for safety programs, delayed equipment upgrades, and even staff reductions. Workers in medium- and high-risk industries face direct consequences, with some having to operate in conditions where safety is less than ideal.

When businesses struggle to keep up with rising claims costs, the risk of workplace accidents can increase, leading to more injuries, longer recovery times, and greater financial strain on employees and their families.

For injured workers, a slow or inefficient claims process can mean delayed medical care, prolonged time away from work, and uncertainty about their financial stability. Higher insurance costs may also force businesses to raise deductibles or shift more costs onto employees, making healthcare and workers’ compensation benefits harder to access. And for small businesses, these rising costs could mean layoffs, reduced wages, or even shutdowns, affecting livelihoods and local economies.

At the insurer level, rising claims expenses mean premium hikes that get passed down to businesses and, ultimately, to consumers. When costs go up across industries like construction and logistics, it can drive up the price of goods and services for everyone. This ripple effect touches workers, businesses, and everyday people who rely on these industries.

At its core, managing rising claims costs isn’t just about protecting a company’s bottom line — it’s about protecting the people behind the business. A smarter, more proactive approach to claims management can help ensure that employees get the care they need, businesses stay financially stable, and industries continue to thrive without unnecessary risk or hardship.

How to Keep Claims Costs Under Control

So, what can businesses do to fight back? It all starts with being proactive.

Preventing accidents before they happen is the best way to keep costs down. Companies in high-risk industries can offer regular safety training and refresher courses, use wearable safety technology to track worker fatigue and posture, and implement AI-driven video monitoring to spot risky behavior. 

One of the most effective ways to prevent future claims is to learn from past ones. Incident-based claims and risk management (Cloud Claims) helps businesses do just that by tracking and analyzing every reported incident — whether it results in a claim or not. By capturing near-misses, minor injuries, and equipment failures in real time, companies can identify patterns and root causes before they escalate into costly claims. This proactive approach allows safety teams to address risks early, implement targeted training, and make data-driven decisions to improve workplace safety.

Beyond prevention, incident-based tracking also streamlines claims handling when accidents do happen. By having detailed incident reports readily available, businesses can ensure accurate documentation, reduce disputes, and speed up the claims resolution process. Over time, this leads to fewer repeat incidents, lower claims costs, and a safer work environment for everyone.

Take Control of Your Claims Costs

At the end of the day, businesses and insurers in medium- and high-risk industries need to take a multi-pronged approach to managing claims. That means: preventing claims before they happen with better visibility, stronger safety programs, and better risk analytics; and streamlining claims handling to cut down on delays and unnecessary expenses.

At APP Tech, we’ve helped hundreds of businesses and organizations across North America take control of claims costs with smart automation, incident-based tracking, and intelligent claims triage. If you’re ready to reduce claims expenses and get ahead of rising costs, let’s talk.

The post The Rising Cost of Claims: How Self-Insured Businesses and Insurers Can Get a Grip on Expenses in Medium- and High-Risk Industries appeared first on APP Tech.

Consider a U.S. manufacturing company, where over the course of two months, three employees slipped and fell or almost fell near a finishing station. The good news is that no serious injuries occurred. The other good news is that because this company was tracking incidents, not just formal claims, they were able to get ahead of the problem before anyone got hurt. 

Data from the company’s claims-management system had exposed a trend (people slipping near the finishing station), and a quick inspection revealed the issue: a misaligned floor drain causing a small amount of water to pool in the area. It was imperceptible to workers as they focused on their jobs, but the incident data laid bare the risk.

With a simple drain realignment and a slip-resistant floor coating, the company may have prevented costly, avoidable injuries and hardship.

Go on offense: A smarter way to handle claims and keep employees safe

A reactive approach to claims management isn’t very good at identifying risk, and it can force expensive errors. By the time an issue blows up, your team may be left scrambling, service delivery can get messy, and expectations become harder to meet.

That’s why forward-thinking companies are ditching damage-control strategies and tactics in favor of an incident-based system, one that taps into real-time data to prevent problems before they start.

This approach involves tracking near misses and spotting potential hazards before they escalate. By analyzing these insights, businesses can fine-tune safety training, improve protocols, and make data-driven investments in prevention. The result? Fewer injuries, a safer workplace, and a culture that prioritizes employee well-being.

The shift isn’t just about protecting the bottom line. It’s about looking out for the people who keep the business running: employees, partners, and customers.

Creating a better, smoother experience for customers

Risk management isn’t confined to the workplace. If safety hazards, service disruptions, or product defects slip through the cracks, customers feel the impact too.

But businesses that stay ahead of potential issues can catch recurring problems before they escalate. And a big part of that is making sure customers feel heard early on. 

When companies formally track client concerns from the start, they’re not just gathering data — they’re showing they care. This builds trust, speeds up issue resolution, and ultimately creates a smoother, more reliable customer experience.

Cutting costs by avoiding unnecessary risks

Preventable incidents lead to expensive claims, legal headaches, and reputational damage. Not anticipating or ignoring risks drives up costs.

On the flip side, a proactive approach keeps the bottom line in check. By averting avoidable claims, businesses operate more efficiently and avoid unnecessary expenditures. Staying ahead of risks isn’t just smart — it’s profitable.

Turning incidents into actionable insights

Shifting to an incident-based approach requires the right tools, processes, and mindset. Businesses need a system to track and analyze incidents in real time so they can make informed decisions quickly.

By combining traditional and AI-enabled analytics, patterns emerge, uncovering and predicting risks before they escalate. And beyond the tech, it’s about creating a company culture that values prevention over reaction, where risk management isn’t just a policy but a core business principle.

The future of risk management: Stay ahead, stay safe

Gone are the days of waiting for problems to arise. A proactive, incident-based approach gives businesses the power to anticipate risks, protect their people, and keep operations running smoothly.

Because at the end of the day, risk management isn’t just about policies — it’s about people. And when businesses prioritize prevention, everybody wins.

The post In risk management, being reactive is, well, risky appeared first on APP Tech.

The problem with traditional claims-focused systems

Traditional claims-management solutions often prioritize the claims process itself while leaving incidents and near-misses untracked or as separate, loosely connected data points. In these systems, where incidents exist independently, claims managers are tasked with the tedious work of connecting them to claims in a meaningful way. 

On top of the extra effort, critical information can slip through the cracks, creating gaps in risk visibility and making it harder for businesses to proactively identify trends and prevent future incidents.

Simply put, most claims-management systems aren’t geared for effective risk management. 

What is incident-based claims management?

Incident-based claims management links all relevant data from the moment an incident happens, providing a more complete picture of workplace risks and enabling organizations to act earlier and more effectively.

When an incident — such as a workplace injury, vehicle accident, or property damage — occurs, it is immediately logged into the system. All new information, including subsequent claim information, is seamlessly tied together in a risk management information system (RMIS). From there, the organization can keep tabs on all related details, notify stakeholders, and take necessary actions to prevent further escalation. 

This approach puts incidents at the hub and creates a direct link between workplace safety and risk management. (OSHA compliance, for example, is based on incidents, not necessarily claims.) By tracking all incidents — including those that don’t immediately result in claims — businesses can get a clearer picture of their overall risk exposure and can proactively address issues before they escalate.

Why tracking incidents, not only claims, is a smarter move

Instead of just focusing on claims that have already been formally submitted, an incident-based approach gives you insight into everything — from close calls to formal cases to resolution.

• Improved cost tracking: One accident can result in claims across multiple policies (e.g., workers’ compensation, property, third-party general liability). An incident-based approach allows organizations to track all related claims together, even when some are managed internally and others by third-party administrators or carriers. This comprehensive view makes it easier to understand total costs at the incident level, aiding in management decisions, self-insurance strategies, and future policy negotiations.
• Reduced redundancy: Traditional claims-only systems often force duplicate data entry when multiple claims arise from a single event. By centralizing incident tracking, businesses eliminate inefficiencies and improve data accuracy. Critical data points — such as date of incident, date reported, and description — are only entered once, improving accuracy and reducing administrative workload.
• Shared documentation: Incident-based systems allow photos, documents, and notes to be stored and accessed in one place, ensuring consistency and reducing the risk of missing key information.
• Natural data flow: Unlike the oxymoronic “notice-only claim” in traditional systems, data in an incident-based system flows naturally from incidents into claims as events unfold, maintaining continuity and providing real-time insight into risk trends.

Pairing this comprehensive data capture with automated notifications and updates ensures that the right people are alerted as soon as an incident occurs, leading to faster response times and better coordination across teams. And keeping claimants informed throughout the process builds trust and improves their overall experience.

Making the switch to an incident-based approach

Switching from traditional claims management tools or manual spreadsheets might seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. APP Tech’s Cloud Claims makes it easy to adopt an incident-based approach with a user-friendly platform that simplifies data intake and tracking, customizable workflows that fit your business and all its nuance, plus scalable features that grow with your organization.

Staying ahead of claims and risks requires a smarter approach. An incident-based system not only helps businesses manage claims more efficiently but also provides valuable insights that can prevent future losses. By focusing on incidents instead of claims and by capturing and analyzing data early, companies can improve workplace safety, support their employees better, and reduce claim costs.

Ready to improve your claims process? Contact us. We’re happy to give you a Cloud Claims tour and work together to determine if an incident-based approach is right for your company.

The post Look at it another way: Why an incident-based approach makes sense for claims and risk managers appeared first on APP Tech.