Often not. A broker management system holds clients, policies and insurers, and most include a claims module that is enough for modest volumes. Brokers with a dedicated claims team, hundreds of open claims or processes the module cannot model may add a claims platform beside the BMS, connected by integration so neither record is keyed twice.
Key takeaways
- A broker management system, or BMS, is the broker's core system for clients, policies, renewals and trust accounting.
- Most BMSs record claims against the policy, which is enough for many brokers.
- The case for separate claims software rests on volume, workflow and the need for a full claim record.
- According to Steadfast, its INSIGHT policy platform is being merged into Steadfast Apps, which will cover "the full client, policy and claims lifecycle".
- A claims platform beside a BMS only works well when the two are integrated.
Do brokers need claims software if they have a BMS?
Many brokers do not. If claims volumes are modest and the BMS claims module records each claim, its insurer contacts and its status, the BMS is enough. Brokers with a dedicated claims team, high volumes, or claims processes the module cannot follow are the ones that benefit from a separate claims platform.
The question is about fit, not size alone. A small broker with complex commercial claims may outgrow its module sooner than a larger personal lines broker. Conversely, a broker with many simple claims may find the module handles them well.
The test is practical. If claims staff keep a spreadsheet beside the BMS to track follow-ups, the module is not doing the job. That spreadsheet is the sign to look further.
What does a BMS do for claims?
A BMS records each claim against the client and policy it belongs to, with the insurer, claim number and status. Staff can see the claim beside the policy history, add notes and record payments. Some systems also hold documents and correspondence. The strength is the link to the policy record.
Australian brokers have several BMS options. According to JAVLN, its platform covers "quoting, binding, renewals, claims, trust accounting and compliance". Ebix Australia describes WinBEAT NEXT as "a modern broker practice management platform", with policy administration, renewals and compliance among its functions. Steadfast network brokers use Steadfast's own systems.
The BMS is also the broker's financial record. Trust accounting, commissions and premium funding run through it. As a result, no claims platform replaces a BMS; at most, it sits beside one.
Where does a BMS claims module stop?
A BMS claims module usually stops at three points: volume, workflow and the depth of the claim record. When a team handles hundreds of open claims, needs set follow-up steps for each claim type, or must record every insurer contact and decision, a module built around the policy can fall short.
Volume is the first strain. A module that works for twenty open claims can become hard to manage at three hundred. Staff need to see which claims have gone quiet and which are due a follow-up.
Workflow is the second. Different claim types need different steps. A property claim with a loss adjuster runs differently from a motor claim. Modules often offer one generic process.
The record is the third. According to NIBA, 62% of brokers reported breaches of the Insurance Brokers Code of Practice in 2025. A full record of each claim, with every contact and decision, helps a broker show what it did and when.
How does a claims platform run beside a BMS?
A claims platform runs beside a BMS by taking the claim from the point of notification, while the BMS keeps the client, policy and accounts. Integration passes client and policy details to the claims platform, so staff do not key them twice. The claims team works in the platform; the rest of the brokerage stays in the BMS.
Integration is what makes the pair work. Without it, staff copy details between systems, and errors creep in. So brokers should confirm which BMS a claims platform connects to before shortlisting it.
ClaimsGateway (claimsgateway.com) is one such platform. It integrates with Steadfast Insight, as well as Zendesk, MYOB Acumatica and Salesforce, plus custom API integrations. Its workflows are configured without developers, so the brokerage owns changes to its claims process. The ClaimsGateway insurance brokers page describes its approach.
It suits brokers with a claims team and enough volume to need a dedicated system. Brokers who want quoting, broking and trust accounting in the same system as claims will be better served by a BMS alone. The claims software for brokers list compares the options.
Frequently asked questions
What is a broker management system?
A broker management system, or BMS, is the core software an insurance broker uses to manage clients, policies, quotes, renewals, trust accounting and commissions. Most also include a claims module that records claims against the policy. In Australia, JAVLN and WinBEAT NEXT are examples, and Steadfast network brokers use Steadfast's own platform.
Do brokers need separate claims software?
Not always. Brokers with modest claims volumes often manage well with their BMS claims module. Separate claims software suits brokers with a dedicated claims team, hundreds of open claims, or claims processes the module cannot follow. A spreadsheet kept beside the BMS is a common sign the module is not enough.
Which BMS do Australian brokers use?
Australian brokers use several broker management systems. JAVLN serves brokerages and networks in Australia and New Zealand. Ebix Australia offers WinBEAT NEXT, the cloud successor to WinBEAT. Steadfast network brokers use Steadfast's INSIGHT policy platform, which Steadfast is merging into its Steadfast Apps platform.
Can a claims platform integrate with a BMS?
Yes, where the two systems support it. A claims platform can take client and policy details from the BMS, so staff do not key them twice. ClaimsGateway, for example, integrates with Steadfast Insight and offers custom API integrations. Brokers should confirm the integration with their own BMS before choosing.
When should a broker add claims software?
A broker should consider claims software when claims staff track follow-ups outside the BMS, when open claims number in the hundreds, or when different claim types need different steps. If the BMS claims module handles the broker's real process well, there is no need to add another system.
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
- ClaimsGateway vs JAVLN: a claims platform or claims inside your BMS.
- Claims tracking for brokers: tools that track claim status.
- Claims advocacy for brokers: how brokers prove their value at renewal.
Sources
- Steadfast Group. "Steadfast insurtech platform expands to deliver end to end client management." April 2026. https://www.steadfast.com.au/well-covered/media-releases/steadfast-insurtech-platform-expands-to-deliver-end-to-end-client-management/
- Ebix Australia. "Why WinBEAT NEXT is the natural next step for growing brokerages." 30 March 2026. https://www.ebix.com.au/why-winbeat-next-is-the-natural-next-step-for-growing-brokerages
- National Insurance Brokers Association. "NIBA welcomes 2025 IBCCC annual data report." 17 June 2026. https://niba.com.au/media-release/niba-welcomes-2025-ibccc-annual-data-report
- JAVLN. Home page, checked 16 October 2026. https://javln.com/
