For many business leaders, insurance has become one of those necessary line items—reviewed briefly at renewal time, signed off on and quickly forgotten. It’s transactional, seen as a balance sheet expense rather than the value driver it can be. In today’s business environment—defined by rapid change, emerging threats and shrinking margins for error—that traditional mindset isn’t just outdated. It may be putting your business at risk.
Forward-thinking companies are challenging this framework. They’re no longer treating insurance as a passive expense or viewing their broker as a glorified middleman. Instead, they’re reframing how they view risk—and with it, the role of the broker as a strategic partner. At M.E. Wilson, we’ve built our business for over a century around that very philosophy: true partnership, grounded in deep understanding and shared goals. Business insurance should be a key component of your overall strategy and a tool for long-term protection and growth.
This starts with a shift in mindset. The best brokers aren’t vendors, they’re advisors. Like your CPA or legal counsel, a skilled insurance partner brings insights that go beyond premiums and policies. The best brokers understand your industry, your business model and your risk appetite. They ask the same questions your leadership team is asking: Where are we exposed? What’s changing in the landscape? How do we protect our margins while preparing for what’s next?
When a broker becomes an advisor, insurance decisions stop being reactive. Insurance becomes part of a broader, proactive risk strategy—one that aligns with your company’s goals and evolves with your business.
That kind of alignment is more critical than ever. The insurance market has grown increasingly volatile. Premiums are rising, underwriting standards are tighter and emerging risks—from cyberattacks and supply chain disruptions to litigation trends and nuclear verdicts—have changed the game. A set-it-and-forget-it approach doesn’t work anymore.
This is where thoughtful structuring and innovation can make a real difference. At M.E. Wilson, we regularly work with clients to reassess whether their current risk strategy still fits. Often, the answer is no. A business may be overpaying for coverage that doesn’t match its needs—or underestimating exposures in areas it hasn’t reviewed in years.
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but there are smarter options that can be considered for the right business such as:
-Captive insurance and alternative risk transfer
For companies with strong risk management practices and consistent loss histories, forming or joining a captive can offer more control, improved cash flow and profit-sharing opportunities that traditional coverage can’t match.
-Deductible optimization
By analyzing the frequency and severity of losses, businesses can structure deductibles and excess layers to better match their risk tolerance—reducing premiums while maintaining protection against major events.
-Loss-sensitive programs
Plans such as large deductibles or retro programs reward disciplined claims management and safety initiatives by tying insurance costs more directly to actual outcomes.
But none of these strategies are effective without a solid foundation in proactive risk management. Your insurance program doesn’t start with your policy—it starts on the job site, in your facility and with every decision that impacts safety and compliance. When a company embeds risk prevention into its culture, the benefits extend outward—leading to better loss performance, improved underwriting terms and stronger negotiating leverage with carriers.
We’ve seen it firsthand. When companies make a philosophical shift toward safety, the results can be dramatic. Our in-house risk consultants often become part of our clients’ teams, helping identify vulnerabilities, develop protocols and build cultures where risk isn’t just managed, it’s anticipated. That kind of integration pays off not just in fewer claims but in tighter operations and more strategic cost control.
Of course, even the most prepared businesses experience losses. When they do, the claims process can be overwhelming—making your broker’s role essential. A strong advocate doesn’t just file paperwork; they manage adjusters, push for fair outcomes, help control reserves and work to close claims efficiently. Just as important, we help clients learn from each incident, so they emerge stronger and better prepared.
Ultimately, insurance should work for your business. It should protect what you’ve built, facilitate smart decisions, promote financial clarity and support long-term growth.
Contributed by Bobby Carney, vice president business insurance at M.E. Wilson.
At M.E. Wilson, we’ve spent the last 105 years standing shoulder to shoulder with our clients. Not just at renewal time, but year-round—through the hard conversations, the “what-ifs,” the unexpected losses and the strategic pivots. That’s what partnership means to us—and in our experience, it’s what leads to better outcomes every time.