The Spike in Auto Claims is a National Issue

The Spike in Auto Claims is a National Issue


Personal auto insurance rate hikes are not keeping up with losses.

Motorists across the U.S. may (or may not) have noticed that their auto insurance premiums raised slightly last year. Despite the rise in premiums, reports conclude that the increase was still not enough, due to high catastrophe-related losses and unfavorable claims.

Over the last two years, personal auto underwriters faced, and still continue to face, adverse loss trends that drove higher claims costs. They include claims frequency jumps from more miles driven, more distracted driving, higher physical damage losses because of the more complex and sophisticated automobile parts, and higher bodily injury costs from more severe accidents. In short, the technology loaded in cars and more distracted drivers are causing a knock-on effect to insurance industries as well as their health and safety.

This issue is not just happening to individual policies. It’s a national issue echoed by just about every CEO of the large national auto carriers. Believe it or not, but State Farm reported a loss of $7 billion on its auto insurance underwriting in 2016. In 2015, the underwriting loss was $4.4 billion. State Farm is far from alone in seeing detrimental results in its auto insurance line. GEICO, Travelers, Allstate, The Hartford, and other insurers are also looking for ways to counter rising auto costs.

Before you renew your auto policy, talk to your insurer about the increased rate. Instead of seeing an unwelcome surprise as a premium, discuss the ways in which you can save, drive more carefully, and bundle insurance policies to save a few pennies.

Find out how CAV Insurance can help you secure a reliable and affordable auto insurance policy. Our trained experts are ready to help you and answer any and all questions you may have about the rising car insurance rates. For coverage in Wellesley Hills and neighboring cities in Massachusetts, contact us today.