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Employers turn to claims and usage data in benefits renewal talks
Gallagher’s 2026 benchmarks survey of 3,717 US organizations found more than a third saw premium increases of 10% or more at their last renewal, even after plan changes.
US employers reviewing which benefits to keep are placing more weight on claims, absence, and usage data, according to guidance from Howden Employee Benefits and related survey findings summarized by Insurance Business.
The shift reflects measurable pressure on costs, with Gallagher’s 2026 Benefits Benchmarks survey of 3,717 US organizations showing that more than a third saw premiums rise by 10% or more at their last renewal, even after plan changes. Other cited forecasts also point to higher employer healthcare costs in 2026, including projections of 6.5% to 9.5%.
As scrutiny of benefit value increases, more employers are also measuring return on benefits and elevating cost-reduction goals. Insurance Business reported that PNC Bank found 65% of employers now measure the return on their benefits, up from 51% a year earlier, while Lockton’s 2026 National Benefits Survey found 54% rank cost reduction as their top benefits priority, up from 38% in 2025.
The article also notes that advisors and brokers are being pulled deeper into renewal discussions because employers need help interpreting fragmented data across HR, insurers, benefits platforms, and employee surveys. Howden cautioned that low utilization does not automatically mean a benefit is failing, suggesting employers may first improve awareness or communication, and it highlighted that employers can track claim categories, frequency, and costs to identify potential drivers, such as changes in musculoskeletal claims.