Research Publications

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.

Public Attitude Monitor 1986

Included in this survey are various civil justice issues such as the perceptions about frequency and cost of personal injury lawsuits, fairness of the lawsuit system, possible consequences of lawsuits for society and steps to reduce their cost. Also included are drinking and driving behavior, penalties for drunk driving, liability of hosts for intoxicated guests, and cost of auto insurance.

Surveys on Liability Insurance for Government Entities

Survey responses from 66 liability insurers and 679 government entities (municipalities, counties, school districts, etc.) provide the basis for this study, which explores problems in obtaining liability insurance, the reasons for those problems, and steps that might be taken to alleviate them. Specific questions were asked about cancellations and nonrenewals, premium increases, loss control measures, and favorable and unfavorable states.

Catastrophic Losses - How the Insurance System Would Handle Two $7 Billion Hurricanes

This study starts with two hypothetical hurricanes causing $7 billion each in insured property losses, and tracks those losses through the insurance system to find out where they would fall. It also analyzes the financial impact two such losses would have on primary companies and reinsurers, as a group, in the U.S. and abroad. The study also collected information on actual hurricane losses for 1983 and 1985, resulting in a substantial upward revision of earlier loss estimates for those storms.

Pollution Liability: The Evolution of a Difficult Insurance Market

Due to a number of complex and inter-related factors, insurers have had major difficulties in developing a broad market for pollution liability insurance. This study explores some of the forces that have hampered development of a market. These include trends in the civil justice system that make it difficult to assess risk, Superfund legislation and regulations, adverse selection and the lack of a broad base of demand for the product. The report also contains an analysis of underwriting procedures and practices of property-casualty insurers writing pollution liability insurance during late 1984 and early 1985.

Due to a number of complex and inter-related factors, insurers have had major difficulties in developing a broad market for pollution liability insurance. This study explores some of the forces that have hampered development of a market. These include tre

This report describes how insurance companies assess the physical hazards involved in handling substances that can pollute the environment and generate liability insurance claims. Findings are based on a survey of 14 insurance companies writing pollution liability coverage and nine environmental consultants active in providing risk assessments for insurance purposes. The survey explores guidelines and procedures used by insurers and consultants to conduct pollution liability risk assessment, the technical skills and backgrounds of staff risk assessors, and the types of information that are most critical for completing a risk assessment.

Public Attitude Monitor 1985

This study focuses on the pubic perceptions of fairness in personal injury lawsuits and the trends in the civil justice system - reasons for more lawsuits regarding personal injuries. It also explores public opinions on drinking and driving behavior, cost of auto insurance, and fairness of gender-based auto insurance rates.

Pollution Liability Claims Administration

Due to a number of complex and inter-related factors, insurers have had major difficulties in developing a broad market for pollution liability insurance. This study explores some of the forces that have hampered development of a market. These include trends in the civil justice system that make it difficult to assess risk, Superfund legislation and regulations, adverse selection and the lack of a broad base of demand for the product. The report also contains an analysis of underwriting procedures and practices of property-casualty insurers writing pollution liability insurance during late 1984 and early 1985.