Research Publications

The National Flood Insurance Program: Agency and Insurer Perspectives

Surveys of insurers and agents explore their views and practices regarding National Flood Insurance and Write-Your-Own programs. The study examines reasons for participation/non-participation by providers and property owners, the role of lenders in the sale of flood insurance, growth in policies sold, and views on who is responsible for promoting flood insurance.

Public Attitude Monitor 1989

This survey of 1,484 households reports on public attitudes on cost of auto insurance and ideas for reducing it, seat belt laws, attorney advertising and its effect on the number of claims and cost of auto insurance, what's covered by a homeowners policy, and the incidence of claim fraud.

Surviving the Storm: Building Codes, Compliance, and the Mitigation of Hurricane Damage

The study indicates that good building codes and strong enforcement can reduce hurricane damage to property. But it also shows wide variations in wind codes and code compliance among Gulf and Atlantic coastal states. Included are state-by-state estimates of insured property values exposed to hurricanes, and the added costs of making homes more hurricane-resistant.

Uninsured Motorists (1989)

This report examines the extent of the uninsured motorist problem on a state-by-state basis, the types of laws in effect to encourage financial responsibility of vehicle owners, the effectiveness of these laws, and the provisions of Uninsured Motorist and Underinsured Motorist laws that affect claim frequencies and the cost of those coverages.

Claimant Satisfaction in Auto Accident Cases

This countrywide survey of more than 2,800 households focuses on their recent experiences with auto accidents. It explores satisfaction with the overall handling and settlement of claims as well as particular aspects of the claims process.

Catastrophic No-Fault Auto Injury Claims

Over 5,000 no-fault (PIP) claims with expected payments of $100,000 or more were identified in a survey of 22 auto insurers in Michigan, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The study also continues to track claimant condition, mortality and payment amounts for 420 such claims first identified in a 1977 survey, Compensation for Automobile Injuries in the United States. Additional follow-up surveys were conducted on the 420 claims in 1980 and 1982.

Business Attitude Monitor

Surveys of small businesses released in 1991 and 1989 explore attitudes and beliefs about insurance-related topics as they apply to U.S. businesses having between 2 and 49 employees. Topics covered include insurance coverages held, shopping patterns, availability/cost of business insurance, and claim satisfaction. The more recent study also reports on perceptions about the relative costs of business insurance and attitudes and beliefs about fraudulent insurance claiming behaviors.

Compensation for Automobile Injuries in the United States

Attorney Involvement in Auto Injury Claims

A countrywide survey of 3,375 families with recent auto injury experience indicates that 35% hired an attorney to handle their claims in 1986, up from 22% in a similar study in 1977. The report provides information about the accidents, injuries, sources and amounts of compensation received and experiences with attorneys, including fees paid and satisfaction with attorneys and the settlements they negotiated.

Public Attitude Monitor 1988

This study focuses on public attitudes regarding the cost of auto insurance, higher speed limits, drinking and driving behavior, collision damage waivers in auto rental contracts, proposals to subsidize liability insurance premiums, and shopping for auto insurance. It also continues the Council's tracking of the percentage of households with uninsured vehicles.