Most claims management software vendors in Australia do not publish prices. They charge per user, per claim, by claim volume tier or by module, usually with a one-off implementation fee and a multi-year term. The total cost depends on claim volume, lines of business, integrations and services. Compare quotes on the same scope, over the whole contract.
Key takeaways
- Of the claims platforms profiled for this series, only ClaimsGateway (claimsgateway.com) publishes a starting price.
- The main pricing models are per user, per claim, volume tiers and modules, and most add an implementation fee.
- According to Insurance News, Celent's 2024 review of 17 Asia-Pacific claims systems singled out one vendor for its affordability, a sign that price varies widely.
- According to Piper Alderman, unfair contract terms in standard form contracts with small businesses can now attract penalties of up to $50 million for a company.
- Implementation, integrations and the cost of later changes often matter more than the subscription.
How much does claims management software cost in Australia?
There is no single market price, because most vendors quote on request. Costs depend on claim volume, the lines and workflows you need, the systems to integrate and the implementation support you want. One published reference point exists: ClaimsGateway's pricing page listed plans from AUD 5,500 a year ex GST in October 2026.
Published prices are rare in this category. The other vendors profiled for this series include Curium, JAVLN, InsuredHQ, Solv, Five Sigma, Wilbur, Guidewire and Duck Creek. None of them published a claims software price on the pages reviewed. Curium has described its pricing as modular and not per seat, and JAVLN has a pricing page for each product.
So a buyer usually sees a price only after a scoping conversation. That makes the pricing model, and what drives cost under it, the most useful thing to understand before talking to vendors.
Why do claims software vendors rarely publish prices?
Claims software vendors rarely publish prices because the cost depends heavily on scope. A small broker with one claims process and a national insurer with dozens of lines and integrations need very different implementations. Vendors also sell to segments of very different sizes, and a single published figure would suit few of them.
Implementation is the main variable. Configuring workflows, migrating open claims and connecting policy, finance and CRM systems can cost as much as a first year's subscription. Vendors usually scope that work before quoting.
Contract structure also varies. Some vendors sell annual subscriptions, while others prefer multi-year agreements with volume commitments. Enterprise core suites, such as Guidewire and Duck Creek, typically quote as part of a wider programme that includes policy and billing.
What pricing models do claims software vendors use?
Claims software vendors use five main pricing models: per user, per claim, volume tiers set by annual claim volume, modules priced separately, and a platform fee. Most add a one-off implementation fee, and some charge for professional services. Many combine models, such as a platform fee plus a per-claim charge above a set volume.
Per user. The vendor charges for each named or concurrent user. This is simple to understand. However, it penalises organisations that want brokers, assessors or occasional staff to have access, because every login costs money.
Per claim. The vendor charges for each claim handled. Costs then rise and fall with volume, which suits organisations with seasonal or unpredictable claims. On the other hand, a catastrophe can produce an unexpected bill.
Volume tiers. The vendor sets an annual subscription by expected claim volume, with a per-claim rate above that level. This gives a predictable base cost while still scaling with growth.
Modules. The vendor prices claims, payments, portals or analytics separately. A buyer pays only for what it uses, though the total can grow as modules are added.
Platform fee. A fixed fee covers access to the platform, often alongside one of the models above.
What drives the total cost of claims software?
Six things drive the total cost. They are claim volume, the lines and workflows to configure, integrations, data migration, ongoing professional services and the contract term. The subscription is often the smallest of these over the life of a contract, especially for a complex organisation.
Claim volume sets the base price under most models. Lines and workflows decide how much configuration is needed at launch. In addition, integrations with policy, finance, CRM and payment systems are often the largest single implementation cost.
Data migration depends on how clean the existing claims data is. Professional services cover bespoke work after launch, such as new integrations or reports. Finally, the contract term spreads the cost and locks in the relationship, so a longer term should come with a better rate.
The cost of change is the hidden item. A platform where the business can change workflows itself costs less to run than one where every change needs the vendor's developers. So ask each vendor what a typical workflow change costs after go-live.
What should you check in a claims software contract?
Check the contract term, how prices change at renewal and what happens to your data if you leave. Then check what services are included and what triggers extra charges. For APRA-regulated insurers, also check that the contract meets CPS 230's requirements for material arrangements. Small businesses have extra protection against unfair terms.
Price changes and exit terms are where disputes start. Look for caps on annual increases and the notice needed to leave. Also look for a commitment to return your claims data in a usable format at no extra cost.
Small businesses have stronger rights than they did. According to Piper Alderman, from November 2023 businesses are barred from using unfair terms in standard form contracts with small businesses. A small business here has fewer than 100 employees or turnover under $10 million. Penalties for a company can reach $50 million, three times the benefit, or 30% of turnover.
Regulated insurers have formal duties too. According to HWL Ebsworth, CPS 230 requires notice to APRA within 20 business days of entering into an agreement relied on for a critical operation. The same applies to a material change. Claims management is a default material service for insurers, so a claims software contract may fall within it. The CPS 230 claims guide covers what that involves.
How does ClaimsGateway price its platform?
ClaimsGateway publishes volume-based pricing. An annual platform subscription is set by benchmarked annual claim volume, claims above that benchmark are charged per claim, and users are unlimited. Its pricing page listed plans from AUD 5,500 a year ex GST in October 2026, with a one-off implementation fee and a minimum 3-year agreement.
ClaimsGateway states that there are no feature gates: one agreement covers every line of business and every capability. Instead, the quote is shaped by claim volume, the workflows configured at launch, integrations and any professional services. The ClaimsGateway pricing page sets out the current terms.
That model suits insurers, agencies, brokers, TPAs and self-insured organisations that want predictable costs and access for every user. A team with one claims handler and a few claims a month, however, may find a well-kept spreadsheet still costs less than any platform.
Frequently asked questions
How much does claims management software cost in Australia?
Most vendors quote on request, so there is no single market price. Costs depend on claim volume, lines of business, integrations and implementation. ClaimsGateway is one vendor that publishes a starting price: its pricing page listed plans from AUD 5,500 a year ex GST in October 2026, plus an implementation fee.
What is usage-based pricing?
Usage-based pricing means the cost rises and falls with how much the software is used, usually measured by claims handled rather than by users. A common form sets an annual subscription by expected claim volume and charges per claim above it. This suits organisations whose claim volumes change from year to year.
Is per-user or per-claim pricing better?
Per-claim or volume pricing usually suits organisations that want many people, such as brokers, assessors or part-time staff, to use the system, because extra users cost nothing. Per-user pricing can suit a small, stable team with high claim volumes per person. Model both against your own numbers before deciding.
Are there free claims management systems?
Free tools exist, such as spreadsheet templates and basic ticketing systems, and they can work for a very small number of simple claims. Purpose-built claims management software for insurers, agencies, brokers and TPAs is almost always paid. The useful comparison is total cost, including the staff time a free tool consumes.
What does implementation cost?
Implementation is usually a one-off fee scoped to the work involved: configuring workflows and lines of business, migrating data and connecting existing systems. It varies widely between vendors and organisations. Ask each vendor to quote implementation separately from the subscription, and to state what is included and what is charged as extra services.
About the author
ClaimsGateway builds cloud claims management software for insurers, underwriting agencies, brokers, TPAs and self-insured organisations in Australia and New Zealand. Every regulator figure in this article links to its source, and every vendor fact was checked on the vendor's own site on the date shown.
Related reading
- Spreadsheets vs claims software: when a free tool stops being the cheaper option.
- Claims software RFP checklist: the requirements to put to every vendor before comparing quotes.
- Claims software in Australia: the platforms behind these pricing models.
Sources
- Insurance News. "Wilbur shines in run-down of claims management systems." 5 April 2024. https://www.insurancenews.com.au/insurtech/wilbur-shines-in-run-down-of-claims-management-systems
- Piper Alderman. "Tougher consequences for businesses: higher penalties, a ban on unfair contract terms and crackdown by the ACCC on misleading practices." 22 December 2022. https://piperalderman.com.au/insight/tougher-consequences-for-businesses-higher-penalties-a-ban-on-unfair-contract-terms-and-crackdown-by-the-accc-on-misleading-practices/
- HWL Ebsworth. "APRA CPS 230: implications for financial entities and their technology service providers." 28 September 2023. https://hwlebsworth.com.au/apra-cps-230-implications-for-financial-entities-and-their-technology-service-providers/
- Norton Rose Fulbright. "Gearing up for mission critical: APRA's new expectations for insurers." November 2023. https://www.nortonrosefulbright.com/de-de/wissen/publications/1c90b2b8/gearing-up-for-mission-critical-apras-new-expectations-for-insurers
- ClaimsGateway. "Pricing." Checked 21 October 2026. https://www.claimsgateway.com/volume-based-pricing
- Vendor websites, checked 16 and 21 October 2026: getcurium.com, javln.com, insuredhq.com, solv.com.au, fivesigma.ai, wilbur.io, guidewire.com, duckcreek.com. None published a claims software price on the pages reviewed.
