Research Publications

Auto Insurance Telematics: Consumer Attitudes and Opinions

The report explores consumer attitudes and opinions with respect to auto insurance telematics and usage-based insurance (UBI). The report finds that many drivers participating in telematics programs change their driving behavior in response to information provided by their insurance companies about their driving that was gathered with a telematics device. The report also confirms that many drivers are concerned about the privacy of their personal information.

Trends in Auto Injury Claims, 2015 edition

This report examines the frequency, severity and loss costs associated with auto injury insurance claims under bodily injury liability and personal injury protection coverages, from 1990 to 2013. Countrywide and individual state outcomes and trends are analyzed.

Trends in Auto Insurance Affordability

This report monitors auto insurance affordability across states and over time using the IRC’s auto insurance expenditure-to-income ratio. The study also analyzes auto insurance affordability trends for low-to-moderate income consumers and inspects differences in affordability trends across various goods and services considered necessities.

Shopping for Auto Insurance and the Use of Internet-Based Technology

This report examines how often consumers shop for auto insurance, how they go about shopping, the choices made after shopping, satisfaction with the shopping experience, and the use of Internet-based personal technology when shopping for insurance. The report also looks at differences in shopping behavior and technology use across demographic groups

Trends in Homeowners Insurance Claims, 2015 Edition

This report documents homeowners insurance claim frequency, severity, and loss cost trends from 1997 to 2013. Special emphasis is given to the role of catastrophe-related claims. Countrywide and state findings are presented.

Fraud and Buildup and Auto Injury Insurance Claims

This report provides a unique perspective on claim abuse among auto injury claims closed with payment. Using data from the 2012 closed claim data collection, it describes the prevalence of fraud and buildup among the five main private passenger coverages and includes analysis of different types of abuse, estimates of the excess payments attributable to fraud and buildup, variations by state. It also examines the differences in claiming behavior between claims with the appearance of abuse and other claims and provides information about some of the fraud-fighting tools used by insurers.

Third-Party Bad Faith in Florida’s Automobile Insurance System

Bad-faith lawsuits targeting automobile insurers in Florida impose a heavy burden on the state’s auto insurance system and auto insurance consumers. This report examines the effect that potential bad-faith settlements have on underlying claiming behavior in Florida. Estimates of additional claim costs attributable to the bad-faith legal environment are included.

Uninsured Motorists, 2014 Edition

This study examines trends in the percentage of uninsured motorists by state utilizing uninsured motorists and bodily injury claim frequencies from 2010-2012. The report also produces quantitative estimates by state and over time for the amount of uninsured motorists and total uninsured motorist claim payments.

Attorney Involvement in Auto Injury Claims

This report uses data from the 2012 closed claim study to examine trends in the rate of attorney involvement in auto injury claims over time and across states. It also provides details on the interaction between the presence of attorneys and cost drivers such as medical treatment and claim abuse and looks at how represented claimants fare compared to claimants without attorneys with respect to claim payment and time to settlement.

Auto Injury Insurance Claims: Countrywide Patterns in Treatment, Cost and Compensation, 2014 Edition

This publication shows dramatic increases in claimed medical expenses and examines some of the factors driving them. The closed claim study, the seventh of its kind conducted by the IRC, is based on a sample of more than 35,000 auto injury claims paid in 2012. The study examines trends in claim patterns, including details on injuries, medical treatment, claimed losses and payments, attorney involvement, and fraud.