Research Publications

Public Attitude Monitor 2000: Issue 1

This first issue of the Insurance Research Council's Public Attitude Monitor 2000 (PAM) report examines public opinions of class action lawsuits, third party bad faith lawsuits, and insurance fraud.

Business Attitude Monitor 2000

The 2000 edition surveyed firms with annual sales volume of between $5 million and $125 million about their attitudes toward the deregulation of commercial lines rates and forms and their satisfaction with various aspects of their insurance experience.

Trends in Auto Injury Claims: 2000 Edition

While the number of auto accidents with property damage claims declined in the last two decades, the number of bodily injury claims increased. This report examines the frequency and severity of bodily injury, property damage, and personal injury protection claims from 1980 through 1998 countrywide and by individual state. Territories within states are investigated for the period of 1995 through1997. In addition, Trends in Auto Injury Claims provides information on the bodily injury to property damage claims ratio, average loss costs, and average written liability premiums. Charts and graphs of observed trends are included as well as detailed tables of the data compiled from major statistical reporting agencies and state insurance departments; all organized in a permanent binder.

Public Attitude Monitor 1999: Issue 4

This fourth issue of PAM 1999 focuses on three subjects. The first is the importance of vehicle safety, crash test ratings, and other safety information to purchasers of passenger vehicles, as well as the sources used by consumers when obtaining vehicle safety information. The second topic is public awareness of and attitudes toward the safety of sport utility vehicles (SUVs). The third subject addressed by this PAM report is the problem of uninsured drivers.

Public Attitude Monitor 1999: Issue 3

This third issue of PAM 1999 examines public perceptions of the threat of vehicle theft and measures to reduce theft losses as well as various ideas to reduce auto accidents among the nation's youngest and oldest drivers.

Paying for Auto Injuries: A Consumer Panel Survey of Auto Accident Victims

This study of the reports of nearly 6,000 people who were injured in auto accidents examines: types, variety, and severity of injuries, as well as their treatment; economic losses; the role of various sources of reimbursement, (including auto, health, workers’ compensation, and disability insurance and government programs); attorney representation; and claimant satisfaction with auto injury settlements. Paying For Auto Injuries contains 44 tables, graphs, and charts that, along with text, provide rare insights into the experiences of auto accident victims. Also, there are over 50 supplementary tables in the appendix. Comparative data are provided from similar studies conducted in 1992, 1986, and 1977.

Uninsured Motorists - 1999 Edition

This study examines the extent of the uninsured motorist problem on a state-by-state basis, types and effectiveness of laws that encourage financial responsibility of vehicle owners, and the provisions of Uninsured Motorists laws affecting claim frequencies and coverage costs.

Public Attitude Monitor 1999: Issue 2

This second issue of PAM 1999 examines two subjects. The first subject concerns public attitudes toward fraud in filing workers' compensation claims. The second subject concerns the computer problems associated with the year 2000.

Injuries in Auto Accidents: An Analysis of Auto Insurance Claims

This study of over 87,000 auto injury claims examines: types, variety, and severity of injuries; treatment of injuries; economic losses and insurance payments; attorney representation; and economic impact of attorney representation and its effect on timeliness of settlement. Injuries in Auto Accidents contains 90 tables, graphs, and charts that together with the text clearly depict the findings of this investigation. In addition, there are 38 supplementary tables in an accompanying appendix. This study contains comparative findings from similar studies conducted in 1992, 1987, and 1977, presenting a 20-year window of data. Also available: 1992 closed claim study Auto Injuries: Claiming Behavior and Its Impact on Insurance Costs, September 1994, 126 pages; 1987 close claimed and consumer panel study, Compensation for Automobile Injuries in the United States, March 1989, 187 pages; and closed claim study, Automobile Injuries and Their Compensation in the United States, March 1979, 254 pages plus 409 pages of tables in Vol. II.

Public Attitude Monitor 1999: Issue 1

This first issues of PAM 1999 examines public attitudes toward coping with the property damage caused by natural disasters. The survey found that 60 percent of Americans believe that a major natural disaster might occur in their area sometime in the next ten years. In spite of that belief, few homeowners have purchased the supplemental insurance needed to protect them from the potentially large financial losses associated with natural disasters.