Loss control consulting has always been part of the workers’ compensation value chain. What’s changed in 2026 is the depth, speed, and specificity of what the best programs deliver, as well as the degree to which brokers can use those services to differentiate at placement and renewal. With the RPS 2026 Workers’ Compensation Market Outlook citing AI-powered monitoring and workplace safety analytics as a growing priority for brokers navigating medical inflation and cumulative trauma claims, the programs that include loss control infrastructure are earning more attention at placement and renewal. (Source)
What is loss control consulting in a workers’ compensation program?
Loss control consulting refers to the services a carrier, MGA, or program administrator provides to help insureds identify and reduce workplace hazards before claims occur. In a traditional model, this means periodic on-site visits from a safety consultant, access to written training materials, and recommendations following a workplace audit. The quality and availability of these services vary significantly by carrier, program size, and industry segment.
According to the 2025 ZyWave Broker Survey, 69% of employers now prioritize a more strategic, advisory-based relationship with their broker instead of a transactional one. (Source) Loss control services are one of the most visible ways brokers fulfill that expectation. The Brown & Brown 2026 Employer Health and Benefits Strategy Survey found that “Employers want brokers who don’t just find a lower premium, but who audit pharmacy management, evaluate stop-loss designs, and flag high-cost claims before they escalate.” Loss control capability is central to that advisory role. (Source)
Which types of workers’ comp programs typically include loss control consulting?
Loss control consulting is frequently embedded in three program structures.
- Guaranteed cost programs through large national carriers often include a loss control division with on-site consultation, safety training libraries, webinar series, and dedicated loss control contacts.
- Large deductible and self-insured programs typically include more intensive loss control services, reflecting the insured’s greater financial exposure. At this tier, consulting often involves detailed loss analysis, gap assessments, return-to-work program design, and ongoing engagement between the carrier’s risk control team and the insured’s safety leadership.
- Specialty MGAs and program administrators in manufacturing, construction, and distribution have increasingly built loss control into their core value proposition. This model is reflected in how the Target Markets Program Administrators Association (TMPAA) defines program administration itself, which explicitly includes claims management, loss control, and risk management services as core administrative responsibilities that specialists use. (Source)
How is AI video monitoring changing loss control consulting in workers’ comp?
Using video monitoring on existing facility cameras, the platform continuously evaluates workplaces and identifies the hazard categories responsible for the majority of workers’ compensation claims through CompScience’s Active Commercial Insurance program, including:
- Ergonomic strain
- Heat exposure
- Struck-by risk
- Slip-and-fall conditions
Brokers receive shareable dashboards and year-over-year safety ROI data to bring to underwriters at renewal as documented evidence of active loss control. The program has demonstrated a proven 35% reduction in claims and a 16% decrease in overall claim frequency for participating accounts. This translates into EMR improvement and premium relief at renewal.
Unlike the traditional loss control model, which relies on periodic on-site inspections that capture only a single moment in time, AI-powered video monitoring provides continuous visibility across every shift and area of a facility. Instead of identifying risks after an inspection, it surfaces behavioral and environmental patterns as they emerge, giving employers and brokers the opportunity to address hazards before they result in injuries and claims.
What should brokers ask when evaluating a workers’ comp program’s loss control services?
Four questions are worth asking yourself:
- Are loss control services included in the program or priced separately?
- What is the frequency and depth of on-site consultation?
- Does the program include AI-powered monitoring that generates documented, underwriter-ready evidence of hazard reduction?
- Can the data support a schedule credit conversation at renewal?
The programs that answer yes to all four give brokers the most leverage and give clients the best path to a lower EMR over time.
CompScience is built to help brokers deliver that answer. Learn more about how we can help your business become safer.
