Many brokers and their clients still think of risk engineering as something that only comes into play when something goes wrong. A damage control exercise. A box-ticking audit. Or worse – a punishment.
But in reality, risk engineering helps businesses in the transport, construction and marine industries to reduce incidents, lift performance, and operate more safely and efficiently.
Here’s what risk engineering involves, when to engage it, and why it can be a smart move for your clients – not a red flag.
What risk engineering actually involves
Our risk engineers are more than safety specialists. They’re industry professionals who understand how businesses operate from the inside out.
They work alongside your clients to identify risks and strengthen operations, offering practical, tailored advice that adds value, not burden. It’s a proactive, three-step process:
- Know the customer
Through site visits or remote sessions, risk engineers get to know the business and its unique pressures. - Analyse the current state
They review systems, equipment and past incidents, then provide a tailored report with practical recommendations. - Provide advice and assistance
Support continues after the report, with follow-ups, tools and guidance to help clients make real improvements.
Engagements are short, effective and cost-free for policyholders, covering everything from operations and culture to site safety and business-specific risks.
Visit our Risk Engineering page to learn more about the process.
When to get a risk engineer involved
As a broker, you don’t need to wait for a major incident or compliance concern to get in touch. There are plenty of business-as-usual scenarios where a risk engineer can add significant value, including:
A client experiencing repeat or escalating incidents
A new business acquisition or expansion
Changes in operating conditions (e.g. new cargo types, locations or fleet)
An incident that raised safety or performance concerns
A client looking to improve processes or meet new standards
Risk engineering works best when it’s proactive. Getting the right support early can help your clients avoid costly issues down the track.
Risk engineering in action: Tackling a rise in theft claims
When a car carrier client experienced a sharp increase in theft-related losses over two years, despite having implemented new prevention measures, our risk engineer was brought in to help understand what was driving the claims and how to reduce them.
During the site visit, the business owner shared that the issue wasn’t isolated. The spike in thefts was being felt across the industry.
With that insight, the risk engineer reviewed our broader portfolio of car carrier clients, benchmarking high-performing operators against those with more frequent losses. This analysis revealed clear differences in approach, helping to identify which theft prevention strategies were working in practice.
We then worked directly with affected clients to implement more effective security measures. Written guidelines were also developed specifically for car carriers, giving other operators across the industry access to clear, actionable advice to help reduce theft risk and improve outcomes.
This kind of engagement shows the broader value of risk engineering – helping identify patterns, share learnings, and implement solutions that improve outcomes not just for one client, but across the industry.
Why it’s valuable
Risk engineering delivers real business benefits, and they extend well beyond safety.
NTI’s own results show that customers who engaged risk engineering saw measurable improvements across multiple areas in 2025, including:
52% fewer experienced off-road days, with 30% eliminating them entirely
A 73% overall reduction in off-road days
45% reduction in claims count, and 12% reduction in claims cost
14 customers reduced claims to zero
Risk engineering helps improve efficiency, strengthen training and staff retention, support smarter asset management, and build resilience to external disruptions like supply chain delays or extreme weather.
Risk engineers also help businesses get ahead of industry shifts, whether that’s new compliance requirements, emerging technologies, or evolving operating conditions.
And because they’re industry insiders, they can benchmark performance, share practical tools and offer tailored advice that makes sense on the ground, not just on paper, at no additional cost to NTI policyholders.
Risk engineering in action: Uncovering the root cause of a rollover
Rollover incidents involving farming equipment are unfortunately common, and they’re often written off as operator error or difficult terrain. But a recent case shows how risk engineering can uncover deeper issues and help prevent repeat events.
One client experienced a rollover on soft ground. The initial assumption was that the operator hadn’t adjusted their driving to suit the conditions. But a closer investigation by our risk engineer revealed something else: the machine’s tyre pressures hadn’t been set to the manufacturer’s specifications. Although tyres were being checked during pre-starts, it was done visually, without a pressure gauge.
This seemingly minor oversight had real consequences. Underinflated tyres reduced equipment stability, especially on uneven or soft ground, and increased the risk of rollovers.
After the investigation, the client updated their pre-start procedures to require pressure checks with a calibrated gauge. It was a small change, but it improved handling and reduced the likelihood of similar incidents occurring again.
This example highlights the value of risk engineering in uncovering root causes that might otherwise be missed. By going beyond initial assumptions and taking a closer look at everyday processes, our risk engineers help clients implement simple, targeted changes that lead to meaningful improvements in safety and performance.
How to get started
Risk engineering isn’t just there to keep your clients out of trouble. It’s a powerful tool to help high-performing businesses get even better.
If you think one of your clients could benefit from a risk engineering engagement, contact your NTI representative.
They’ll coordinate the next steps and ensure the right specialist is matched to your client’s needs, whether it’s heavy motor, mobile plant, marine or cargo.
It’s a seamless process that supports both brokers and customers, reflecting our commitment to industry beyond just insurance.
Talk to your NTI representative to find out more.
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This article contains general information only and does not take into account your or your client's objectives, financial situation or needs. You or your client should obtain professional advice based on relevant personal circumstances. NTI is not responsible or liable for your or your client's use or reliance on the information in this article.