Research Publications

Trends in Auto Injury Claims, 2002 Edition

This closed claim study updates IRC’s ongoing research on injuries in auto accidents based on a sample of more than 70,000 auto injury claims paid by major auto insurers countrywide. The report explores auto injury claim patterns under each of the five principal private passenger auto insurance coverages, comparing 2002 data to results from similar studies conducted in 1997, 1992, 1987, and 1977. The study examines trends in injury claim patterns including characteristics of the accidents and those injured, medical treatment, losses and payments, the claim settlement process, and the impact of attorney involvement

Accuracy of Motor Vehicle Records: An Analysis of Traffic Convictions

This report examines over 50,000 traffic convictions in four states to study the accuracy of MVR. It also contains details about traffic schools and other conviction avoidance methods across the United States that restrict how complete a picture of driving histories MVRs may provide.

2002 - Issue 1

The first issue of the Insurance Research Council's Public Attitude Monitor 2002 (PAM) examines the public's opinion about child passenger safety and reported frequency of home ownership and homeowners insurance.

Fighting Insurance Fraud: Survey of Insurer Anti-Fraud Efforts

Written in collaboration with Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO), the report analyzes survey responses from 353 large, medium, and small insurance companies that represent 73 percent of the property-casualty market for 1999. Findings show how insurers perceive the problem of fraud and the corporate resources and strategies their companies are using to fight it.

Public Attitude Monitor- 2001 - Issue 2

The second issue of the Insurance Research Council's Public Attitude Monitor 2001 (PAM) examines consumers' attitudes toward shopping for auto insurance, use of the Internet in shopping for and researching auto insurance, and uninsured vehicles.

Public Attitude Monitor 2001 - Issue 3,

The third issue of the Insurance Research Council's Public Attitude Monitor 2001 (PAM) examines public opinions of using competitive parts for auto repair and using insurer-designated auto repair shops.

Public Attitude Monitor 2001: - Issue 1

The first issue of the Insurance Research Council's Public Attitude Monitor 2001 (PAM) describes the public's response to questions concerning special licensing laws for older and younger drivers, support for motorcycle helmets, attitudes regarding drinking before driving, strict enforcement of speed limits, and red light cameras.

Consumer Attitudes Toward Information Sharing Between Businesses

This report summarizes findings from initial quantitative and focus group research completed in 2000, and explores the issue of information sharing in context of the tradeoff between strict protection of consumer information and the benefits that result from allowing businesses to share customer information within and between companies.

Auto Injury Claiming Behavior in No-Fault States: An Analysis of Florida PIP Trends

Motivated by the growth in average loss costs for PIP claims in Florida in recent years, this report examines some of the ways in which claimants in Florida—particularly the Miami area—differ from claimants in no-fault states around the country. In many respects, including the pattern of reported injuries, the high utilization of medical resources, and the extent of attorney involvement, Florida and Miami claimants demonstrate many of the objective factors found to be associated with auto insurance fraud and buildup.

Auto Injury Claiming Behavior in No-Fault States: An Analysis of New York PIP Trends

The soaring loss costs in New York PIP claims have led many observers to seek explanations for the deteriorating performance of the no-fault system in the state. This report details the claiming behavior of claimants in New York and especially the New York City metropolitan area -- showing higher incidence of sprains and strains, higher use of some medical professionals and procedures, and higher rates of attorney involvement. This aggregate behavior suggests that fraud and buildup in auto injury claims may well be a factor in the recent New York experience.