When you sit down with a high‑risk manufacturing client for renewal, the first thing you should ask is: "Do you use any wearable or AI motion‑monitoring tools as part of your injury‑prevention program?" If the answer is no, mark the file—this is a low CASE that insurers and you will want to address sooner than the usual risk‑review cycle.
From my years working across the national portfolio, I keep seeing that firms that adopt wearable tech not only protect workers but plant themselves for more favorable MD/DS loss patterns.
Why it matters now
Research by Risk & Insurance points out that companies without systematic injury‑tracking programs tend to experience more workplace injuries that generate MD/DS claims, driving unexpected volatility in loss costs. In parallel, an NSC program found that manufacturers using wearable or AI‑driven motion platforms saw a 21% drop in MSD claims. These insights underscore the link between tech adoption and lower medical‑device or disability exposures.
What you need to do
- Include a new checkbox or field in your renewal questionnaire: "Wearable/AI Motion Tool in use (Yes/No)". If the answer is no, add a note: "MD/DS exposure may be higher – consider adjustment."
- Request documentation: Ask for a summary of the program, list of devices or platforms used, and a brief cuffs of how the data is leveraged in the return‑to‑work process. If a client can’t provide this information, flag the file for a medical‑damage review.
- Adjust rate assumptions: A proven wearable program is often associated with reduced MD/DS costs. Use this insight in your rate assumptions and discussions to negotiate a possible reduction or build a contingency loader in your premium statement.
- Educate the client: Even if your carrier doesn’t offer a discount, explain how these tools reduce injuries—and thus lower their premiums in the long run. Offer to connect them with technology partners or training resources.
- Track changes: Over the next renewal cycle, monitor claim trends in accounts that adopt wearable tech versus those that don’t to build your own internal data set.
What this means for your placements
By making wearableillery adoption a standard part of the renewal process, you give your broker & client a clear lever for both cost savings and risk reduction. The data shows technology can deliver a 20‑plus point effect on MD/DS loss costs—an amount that’s hard to ignore when balancing the book. The sooner you document and act on this information, the better positioned you’ll be to negotiate favorable terms, avoid sudden rate hikes, and keep clients informed about how technology keeps them out of the loss column.
© Justin K. Dorman, National Workers' Comp Product Manager. All rights reserved.
Sources:
- The Return‑to‑Work Gap Noiem Plans For
- Wearable Tech and AI Motion Tools Cut MSD Risk at Major Manufacturers, NSC Program Finds
Sources
- Risk & Insurance (2026-07-10)
- Risk & Insurance (2026-07-06)
Tags: technology-ai, claims-medical