Research Publications

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.

Earthquake Losses under Workers Compensation and General Liability

Insured earthquake losses under workers' compensation and general liability insurance policies are estimated at about $14.6 billion for a "worst case" M7.5 event on the Newport-Inglewood fault, Los Angeles.

Public Attitude Monitor 1987

Topics addressed in this survey include: fairness of gender-based auto insurance rates, safety standards for minivans and pickup trucks, fairness of the lawsuit system, possible consequences of lawsuits for society and possible steps to reduce their cost, drinking and driving behavior, penalties for drunk driving, liability of hosts for intoxicated guests, and cost of auto insurance.

Unisex Auto Insurance Rating

Following passage of unisex insurance rating legislation in Montana, the Council conducted a study of how auto insurance premiums changed when gender and marital status were eliminated as rating variables. The study measures the increases and decreases in auto insurance premiums experienced by youthful female and male drivers.

Fire Following Earthquake

This study indicates that major earthquakes in the Los Angeles Basin and the San Francisco Bay area would be likely to cause major conflagrations and generate fire damage of $4 to $17 billion, depending on quake location and wind conditions. Estimated "burn rates" are shown for communities affected.