Last week, I had the opportunity to tag along on a loss control visit with one of our carrier partners. Somewhere along the way, I decided we needed a team name and started referring to us as the “Safety Squad.” I realize that’s peak-level insurance nerd, but if you’ve known me for more than five minutes, you know how excited I can get about this stuff. The truth is, there’s a reason I geek out over loss control. The appointment reinforced something I’ve believed for a long time:
The best insurance claim is the one that never happens.
Most people think of insurance as something you use after a loss. And while having the right coverage and claims team matters, one of the most valuable services an insurance company can provide is helping prevent losses from happening in the first place.
That’s why I’ve been excited to see more carriers investing in robust loss control programs. As the insurance market has stabilized, many companies have expanded these resources, giving business owners access to experienced consultants who help identify risks, improve safety practices, and strengthen operations. It’s a trend I hope continues because prevention creates value for everyone involved.
But what does a loss control visit actually look like?
For most businesses, it starts with a conversation. The consultant wants to understand how your business operates before making recommendations. They’ll ask about everything from recruiting, hiring, and employee onboarding to safety procedures, training, fleet operations, equipment maintenance, and other day-to-day processes. Every business is different, so the goal is to understand your operation and tailor recommendations to your unique exposures.
Depending on the type of business, the visit may also include a walkthrough of your office, warehouse, manufacturing facility, or job site. The consultant is observing workflows, identifying potential hazards, and sharing practical ideas that can help reduce the likelihood of injuries, property damage, or other claims.
The biggest misconception I hear is that the loss control consultant is there to find something wrong.
They’re not.
They’re not the “gotcha guy.”
Think of them as another member of your team. Their job is to share best practices, identify opportunities for improvement, and help you build an even safer operation. The visit is collaborative, not punitive, and the recommendations are intended to help, not criticize.
Why does that matter?
Because every claim that’s avoided creates a ripple effect. Fewer claims can help keep insurance costs more stable over time. They also mean less time spent managing injuries, repairs, lawsuits, and business interruptions, allowing you to stay focused on running your business instead of reacting to preventable problems.
Just as importantly, a strong safety culture protects your most valuable asset: your people. Employees want to work for organizations that prioritize their well-being, and businesses that invest in safety often experience benefits that extend well beyond insurance, including improved morale, productivity, and retention.
Of course, not every business has the same needs. Some industries have highly specialized exposures that require expertise beyond what a carrier’s loss control team provides. In those situations, bringing in an independent safety consultant may be a worthwhile investment. On larger or more complex accounts, agencies like ours can often help coordinate those additional resources. The right solution depends on the complexity of the operation and the risks involved.
One of the advantages of being an independent agency is that we evaluate carriers on much more than price and coverage. We also look at the resources they bring to the table. Strong claims handling, responsive underwriting, and quality loss control services all contribute to the overall value our clients receive. We love to see more carriers recognizing that helping clients prevent losses is just as important as helping them recover from them.
Whether we stick with the name “Safety Squad” or come up with something better, the mission is simple:
Help our clients build safer businesses.
Because at the end of the day, the best insurance claim is still the one that never happens.
