Why do warehouses face insurance claims when they can’t prove who accessed high-value areas in 2026?
In 2026, warehouses are increasingly facing insurance claim scrutiny – and potential denial – related to theft or damage when they cannot definitively demonstrate who had access to restricted areas. This stems from evolving expectations around security and accountability, particularly as supply chains become more complex and valuable goods are concentrated in fewer locations.
Transport and Logistics operations rely on a network of parties: warehouse operators, transport companies, delivery drivers, and potentially external maintenance or inspection personnel. As of December 2025, Australian Work Health and Safety (WHS) regulations, alongside Child Safe Standards where applicable (e.g., for goods destined for schools or childcare facilities), place a duty of care on warehouse operators to manage risks. This includes controlling access to high-value areas. Currently, many warehouses utilise basic sign-in sheets or manual visitor logs. However, these are easily compromised and don’t provide a reliable audit trail. Increasingly, insurers are expecting more robust systems – like biometric access control, integrated CCTV with access logs, and digital visitor management systems – to demonstrate due diligence. In the US, similar expectations are arising from OSHA regulations and state-level security requirements. Failure to provide verifiable access records creates a significant gap in demonstrating reasonable security measures, impacting claims assessments.
Ultimately, the inability to prove *who* was where and *when* translates to an inability to demonstrate responsible risk management, leading to increased insurance claim disputes and potential financial losses.
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