Abstracts

RECENT PUBLICATIONS

Public Attitude Monitor 2009, Issue 2: Consumer Satisfaction, August 2009. A new public opinion study by the Insurance Research Council (IRC) finds that 91 percent of respondents countrywide with auto insurance were either very or fairly satisfied with their current auto insurer. Eighty-nine percent of homeowners countrywide were similarly satisfied with their current homeowners insurer. The study also found that three out of four consumers who had shopped for auto insurance in the previous 12 months were very or somewhat satisfied with their overall shopping experience. Approximately 70 percent said they were very or fairly satisfied with the range of product and price options they found. The study also compared satisfaction levels in a group of states with extensive government involvement in insurance markets with satisfaction levels in a group of states with a more market-oriented approach to insurance regulation. Respondents in states with extensive government involvement were no more likely to be satisfied with their insurance companies than were respondents in states with a market-oriented approach to regulation. Cost: $65 in the U.S. and $80 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Public Attitude Monitor 2009, Consumer Response to the Economic Downturn, April 2009, 49 pages. This issue of the Insurance Research Council’s Public Attitude Monitor (PAM) examines how the economic recession of 2008-2009 impacted consumers and how consumers adjusted their insurance shopping behavior in response to the recession. Cost: $65 in the U.S. and $80 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Washington Homeowners Losses Rise Following Enactment of First-Party Bad Faith Legislation, April 2009. Interim findings from the Insurance Research Council document a substantial increase in homeowners insurance loss costs following the enactment of legislation creating a new statutory cause of action and increased punitive damages for first-party bad faith lawsuits in Washington State. The IRC estimates that implementation of R-67 in Washington may have resulted in as much as $58 million in additional losses for Washington's homeowners insurance system during the first three quarters of 2008.
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Vehicle Characteristics and Auto Injury Claims, February 2009, 34 pages. Utilizing data from IRC's 2008 auto injury database, this report documents the growing presence of front and side airbag systems in the nation's motor vehicle fleet. It also explores how airbag systems and other vehicle characteristics are related to auto injury insurance claim costs and other out important claim outcomes. Cost: $125 in the U.S. and $140 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Uninsured Motorists, 2008 Edition, January 2009, 33 pages. This study examines trends in the percentage of uninsured motorists countrywide and in each state based on uninsured motorists and bodily injury claim frequencies from 2005 to 2007. The report also includes projections for the countrywide uninsured motorist rate for the period 2008-2010. Cost: $125 in the U.S. and $140 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Analysis of No-Fault Auto Insurance Claims in Minnesota, September 2008, This report examines the components of cost in Minnesota's no-fault auto insurance system. Based on an analysis of more than 500 personal injury protection claims closed with payment in 2007, the report finds that chiropractors now account for a greater share of total provider charges in Minnesota's no-fault insurance system than all other types of treating providers combined. The growing cost of chiropractic treatment in Minnesota's auto insurance system is attributable primarily to rapid growth in average charges per visit to chiropractor offices. Minnesota had the third highest utilization rate for chiropractors (42 percent) among 17 states with no-fault insurance claims. The report also focuses on growing utilization of expensive diagnostic procedures in Minnesota no-fault claims. Cost: $65 in the U.S. and $85 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Colorado Auto Insurance—Transition From No-Fault to Tort, February 2008, 32 pages. Colorado auto insurance regulations changed from a no-fault system to a tort-based system in 2003. This IRC report examines auto claim frequencies and loss costs in Colorado before and after the transition from no-fault to tort. Additional analyses compare closed auto injury claim details between Colorado and the United States. Cost: $65 in the U.S. and $80 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Trends in Auto Injury Claims, 2008 Edition, January 2008, 91 pages. This report examines the frequency, severity, and loss costs associated with auto insurance claims under the PD, BI, and PIP coverages from 1990 to 2006. National and state statistics are provided. Also included is information on total auto injury loss costs and average written liability premiums from 1990 to 2004. Cost: $300 in the U.S. and $315 elsewhere, postpaid. Data available in electronic format for $500.00.
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Auto Injury Insurance Claims: Countrywide Patterns in Treatment, Cost, and Compensation, 2008 Edition, January 2008, 93 pages. This closed claim study updates the IRC’s ongoing research on injuries in auto accidents based on a sample of more than 42,000 auto injury claims paid by major auto insurers countrywide. The report explores auto injury claim patterns under each of the five principal private passenger coverages, comparing 2007 data to results from similar studies conducted in 2002 and earlier. The study examines trends in injury claim patterns, including characteristics of the accidents and those injured, medical treatment, losses and payments, the claim settlement process, and the impact of attorney involvement. Cost: $300 in the U.S. and $315 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Alternative Medical Treatment in Auto Injury Insurance Claims, September 2007, 51 pages. This IRC report investigates the utilization and cost of alternative medical treatment in BI and PIP auto insurance claims. The report also documents the wide variation in the utilization of alternative treatment in different states. Cost $125 in the U.S. and $140 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Public Attitude Monitor 2007, Issue 1, June 2007, 49 pages. The first issue of the Insurance Research Council’s Public Attitude Monitor 2007 (PAM) analyzes public opinion on a range of issues related to highway safety and traffic enforcement. Cost: $65 in the U.S. and $80 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Municipal Bond Holdings of Property-Casualty Insurance Companies, May 2007, 60 pages. This IRC report describes the property-casualty insurance industry’s role as the fourth largest investor in municipal bond markets and presents findings on the types of projects funded through municipal bonds purchased by insurers. Cost: $125 in the U.S. and $140 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Florida Auto Injury Insurance Claim Environment, 2007 Final Report, February 2007, 68 pages. This IRC study highlights trends in auto injury claim patterns in Florida by comparing PIP and BI closed claims from 2005 with claim data collected in 2002 and 1997. Cost: $125 in the U.S. and $140 elsewhere, postpaid.
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OTHER INSURANCE RESEARCH COUNCIL PUBLICATIONS

PROPERTY INSURANCE

Homeowners Loss Patterns in Eight Cities, August 1997, -- 167 pages.
This study demonstrates the variations in homeowners insurance loss experience across and within eight major U.S. cities and the communities within five miles of the cities' boundaries. The eight urban areas included in the study are Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, New York City, New Orleans, Philadelphia, and St. Louis. The report provides detailed information on claim counts and dollar losses by six major causes of loss - fire, lightning and removal; liability and medical; wind and hail; water and freezing; theft; and all other causes of loss. Cost: $125 in the U.S. and $140 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Fairness and Balance in Residential Property Insurance:
A National Survey of Homeowners' Attitudes, October 1996, 74 pages.
A national public attitude survey of over 2,000 current/previous/potential homeowners was conducted by The Tarrance Group. Specific issues examined include availability of homeowners insurance, fairness of pricing and coverage choices, disparate impact, private and government programs for underserved markets, and other challenges in urban insurance markets. Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Coastal Exposure and Community Protection Hurricane Andrew's Legacy, April 1995, 48 pages.
This study uses data from coastal counties in the 18 states along the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico to document population and insured exposure increases from 1980 through 1993. The devastation of Hurricane Andrew is analyzed to show the strengths and weaknesses of current building code practices and enforcement, and to make recommendations for improvement. Computer models are presented which estimate potential losses from future hurricanes. Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Fire Following Earthquake: Estimates of the Conflagration Risk to Insured Properties in Greater Los Angeles and San Francisco, March 1987, 83 pages.
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. Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Estimated Cost of Compliance with 1991 Building Code Seismic Requirements, August 1992, 22 pages.
This report prepared by the National Association of Home Builders for IRC shows that builders can construct homes providing for life safety in earthquakes at an added cost of less than 1% of the purchase price of a new home. Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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The National Flood Insurance Program: Agency and Insurer Perspectives, July 1990, 68 pages.
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. Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Surviving the Storm: Building Codes, Compliance, and the Mitigation of Hurricane Damage, December 1989, 71 pages.
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. Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Earthquake Losses under Workers Compensation and General Liability, October 1988, 80 pages.
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. Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Catastrophic Losses: How The Insurance System Would Handle Two $7 Billion Hurricanes, November 1986, 73 pages.
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. Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Availability and Use of Business Insurance by Urban Small Businesses: A Survey, May 1982, 67 pages.
A survey of 1,845 owners of small mercantile and service businesses in Atlanta, Boston, Brooklyn, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Los Angeles and Philadelphia explores perceptions about availability and affordability of business insurance, and reports on experiences in buying it. Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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CRIME AND FRAUD

Insurance Fraud: A Public View, June 2003, 66 pages.

This report explores public awareness of and tolerance for various forms of insurance fraud including application fraud, property damage claim fraud, and injury claim fraud. The report also explores possible actions by individuals, insurers, and law enforcement to prevent fraud. Cost: $125 in the U.S. and $140 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Fighting Insurance Fraud: Survey of Insurer Anti-Fraud Efforts, December 2001, 56 pages.
Written in collaboration with Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO), the report analyzes survey responses from 353 large, medium, and small insurance companies that represent 73 percent of the property-casualty market for 1999. Findings show how insurers perceive the problem of fraud and the corporate resources and strategies their companies are using to fight it. Cost: $125 in the U.S. and $140 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Fighting Fraud in the Insurance Industry, Second Edition, October 1997, 72 pages.
This report documents the various aspects of insurer efforts to fight fraud in the property-casualty insurance industry, including: the methods used to recognize and handle fraud, the use of SIUs, public education efforts, and fraud control spending. The study also updates information relating to companies' expanding anti-fraud efforts in conjunction with national and state organizations. Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Crime Losses in Property-Casualty Insurance, July 1984, 46 pages.
This study measures the overall impact of crime-related insurance claims on the various kinds of insurance policies sold by property-casualty insurers. Results are stated in terms of crime losses as a percentage of all losses, countrywide and by state, for personal and commercial lines of insurance and for various types of criminal activity. The report also estimates annual dollar costs per household and per employee. Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Arson Incidence Claim Study, March 1982, 29 pages.
A survey of 13,418 insurance company claim files was conducted to determine the incidence of suspected arson in fire claims for homes and businesses. The report also discusses probable motives for the suspected arson fires, to the extent that motives could be determined. Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Special Investigative Units: Survey on Insurance Company Use of SIUs for Fraud Investigations, October 1984, 36 pages.
This report shows findings from several surveys on insurer use of Special Investigative Units to combat fraud. Included is a study tracking costs and estimated savings from denial of fraudulent claims by 19 companies with SIUs, information on types of insurance fraud investigated, and information on SIU structure, training and qualifications of SIU personnel, and legal issues. Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE

Uninsured Motorists 2006, June 2006, 39 pages. This study examines trends in the percentage of uninsured motorists in each state based on uninsured motorists and bodily injury claim frequencies from 1999 to 2004. City-level data were also analyzed in six states. Cost: $125 in the U.S. and $140 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Fraud and Buildup in New York Auto Injury Insurance Claims, March 2006, 100 pages. This IRC study examines regional differences in New York’s auto injury claims using data from 2002 and prior years. The study shows several aspects of claiming behavior in which New York City area claimants were different from upstate claimants, including frequencies of the presence of fraud and buildup indicators. Cost: $125 in the U.S. and $140 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Florida Auto Injury Insurance Claim Environment, 2006 Summary Report, February 2006. 47 pages. This IRC study highlights trends in auto injury claim patterns in Florida by comparing PIP and BI closed claims from 2005 with claim data collected in 2002 and 1997. The report includes details of injuries, medical professionals, diagnostic procedures, hospital treatment, claimed economic losses, payments, attorney involvement, and the appearance of fraud and buildup. Cost: $125 in the U.S. and $140 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Fraud and Buildup in California Auto Injury Insurance Claims, December 2005, 49 pages. As part of the IRC’s 2002 auto injury study, file reviewers assessed claims for the presence of indicators of fraud and buildup. This report examines the prevalence of these indicators among California auto injury claims compared to national patterns. Also, fraud and buildup patterns in Los Angeles are compared to those found in the rest of the state. Cost: $125 in the U.S. and $140 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Analysis of Auto Injury Insurance Claims From Two Choice States, October 2005. 76 pages. The third report in an IRC series focusing on auto injury claims in states with similar insurance regulations, this report analyzes BI and PIP claims in two choice states: New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The analysis of injury claims uncovers differences between the two states and also shows differences within each state based on claimants’ choice of no-fault or full tort insurance. Cost: $125 in the U.S. and $140 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Analysis of Auto Injury Insurance Claims From Four Tort States, June 2005. 104 pages. Based on closed auto injury claim data, this report focuses on four states with either traditional tort or add-on auto insurance regulations: California, Illinois, Texas, and Washington. The analysis of BI, MP, and PIP claims reveals similarities in injuries but differences in claimed losses, medical treatment, payments, and attorney involvement by state. Cost: $125 in the U.S. and $140 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Trends in Auto Injury Claims, 2004 Edition, December 2004. 206 Pages (including appendices). This report documents changes in auto accident and injury claim rates for the nation and each state from 1980 through 2003 under separate auto insurance coverages. The study also examines total injury claim costs for the country and each state from 1987 through 2001. Cost: $300 in the U.S. and $315 elsewhere, postpaid. Data are available in electronic format for $500.
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Fraud and Buildup in Auto Injury Insurance Claims, 2004 Edition, December 2004. 210 Pages. Based on data collected as part of the IRC’s 2002 study of claims closed with payment, this report examines the appearance of fraud and buildup among approximately 70,000 private-passenger auto injury insurance claims. The study shows the prevalence of suspected claim abuse countrywide as well as by state and selected metropolitan areas. In addition, the report examines how the appearance of fraud and buildup interacts with certain aspects of claiming behavior, including reported injuries, medical treatment, losses and payment, and attorney involvement. Finally, the study looks at claim handling techniques used by insurers, such as index bureau checks, medical audits, and independent medical examinations. Cost: $300 in the U.S. and $315 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Analysis of Auto Injury Insurance Claims From Four No-Fault States, October 2004. 100 Pages. This report examines auto injury claims in four states with no-fault auto insurance regulations: Colorado, Florida, Michigan, and New York. The report focuses on PIP and BI closed claim data from 2002 and 1997. The analysis reveals differences regarding claimed losses and payments, medical treatment, injury types, and attorney involvement. Cost: $125 in the U.S. and $140 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Paying for Auto Injuries: A Consumer Panel Survey of Auto Accident Victims, 2004 Edition, August 2004, 86 pages. The Insurance Research Council is pleased to announce the release of Paying for Auto Injuries: A Consumer Panel Survey of Auto Accident Victims, 2004 Edition. This report, the IRC’s fifth consumer panel study, analyzes the cost of auto injuries from the perspective of persons injured in an auto accident. The study contains many of the same measures as Auto Injury Insurance Claims, which it was designed to complement, plus several additional measures, such as payment sources other than auto insurance, decisions about attorney involvement, and satisfaction with claim settlement. The population-based sample consists of 3,478 individuals from 2,866 households who experienced an injury from an auto accident between January 1, 1999 and June 30, 2002. Cost: $300 in the U.S. and $315 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Auto Insurance Claims in California: A Research Perspective on Regional Differences, April 2004, 84 pages.
This report documents variations in claim frequencies, claim severities, and claim loss costs among California regions under the bodily injury liability (BI) and property damage liability (PD) coverages. The report also examines regional differences in the use of medical treatment, losses and payments, and attorney involvement among BI claimants with minor injuries. The data underlying this report are from the California Department of Insurance and IRC’s 2002 closed claim auto injury study. Cost: $125 in the U.S. and $140 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Auto Injury Insurance Claims: Countrywide Patterns in Treatment, Cost, and Compensation, 2004 Edition, December 2003, 216 pages.
This closed claim study updates IRC’s ongoing research on injuries in auto accidents based on a sample of more than 70,000 auto injury claims paid by major auto insurers countrywide. The report explores auto injury claim patterns under each of the five principal private passenger auto insurance coverages, comparing 2002 data to results from similar studies conducted in 1997, 1992, 1987, and 1977. The study examines trends in injury claim patterns including characteristics of the accidents and those injured, medical treatment, losses and payments, the claim settlement process, and the impact of attorney involvement. Cost: $300 in the U.S. and $315 elsewhere, postpaid. A database of this study is available for purchase from the IRC.
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Trends in Auto Injury Claims, 2002 Edition, October 2002, 253 pages (including appendices).
This report documents changes in auto accident and injury claim rates from 1980 through 2000 for the nation, each state, and territories within states (territorial data are included for select years). The study also examines claim costs for the country and each state from 1987 through 1999. Cost: $300 in the U.S. and $315 elsewhere, postpaid. Data are available in electronic format for $500.
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Accuracy of Motor Vehicle Records: An Analysis of Traffic Convictions, June 2002, 65 pages.
This report examines over 50,000 traffic convictions in four states to study the accuracy of MVR. It also contains details about traffic schools and other conviction avoidance methods across the United States that restrict how complete a picture of driving histories MVRs may provide. Cost: $125 in the U.S. and $140 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Claiming Behavior in New York's No-Fault Auto Insurance System: An Analysis of Closed PIP Claims, December 2001, 124 pages.
This closed-claim study updates and expands upon IRC's ongoing research on injuries in auto accidents. This report was prompted by astounding increases in PIP average loss costs in New York that contrasted with claim patterns noted in most other no-fault states and nationwide. This study compares private passenger auto claim patterns for New York State and New York City with national no-fault trends in claim frequency and severity and the results of previous IRC studies. It also examines claiming behaviors such as reported injuries, medical treatment, attorney involvement, and filing of tort claims using a sample of 2,800 PIP claims closed during the 4th quarter of 2000. Cost: $125 in the U.S. and $140 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Auto Injury Claiming Behavior in No-Fault States: An Analysis of New York PIP Trends, April 2001, 15 pages
The soaring loss costs in New York PIP claims have led many observers to seek explanations for the deteriorating performance of the no-fault system in the state. This report details the claiming behavior of claimants in New York and especially the New York City metropolitan area -- showing higher incidence of sprains and strains, higher use of some medical professionals and procedures, and higher rates of attorney involvement. This aggregate behavior suggests that fraud and buildup in auto injury claims may well be a factor in the recent New York experience. Cost $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Auto Injury Claiming Behavior in No-Fault States: An Analysis of Florida PIP Trends, April 2001, 12 pages
Motivated by the growth in average loss costs for PIP claims in Florida in recent years, this report examines some of the ways in which claimants in Florida—particularly the Miami area—differ from claimants in no-fault states around the country. In many respects, including the pattern of reported injuries, the high utilization of medical resources, and the extent of attorney involvement, Florida and Miami claimants demonstrate many of the objective factors found to be associated with auto insurance fraud and buildup. Cost $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Characteristics of Auto Accidents: An Analysis of Auto Injury Claims January 2001, 117 pages.
This study is based upon bodily injury liability closed claim data from 1997. The report examines the nature and key characteristics of motor vehicle accidents and claimants with respect to four key areas: 1) the characteristics of the accident in terms of location, impact severity, number of vehicles involved, point of impact, police involvement and when the accident occurred; 2) the characteristics of the driver of the insured vehicle; 3) the characteristics of the insured vehicle; and 4) the characteristics of the claimant. Cost $125 in the U.S. and $140 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Sprains and Strains Resulting From Auto Accidents: An Analysis of Auto Insurance Claims, June 2000, 40 pages.
This study, based on bodily injury liability closed claim data from 1997, looks at sprain and strain claimants with low injury and accident severity. Medical treatment patterns, economic losses, and net reimbursements are explored among claimants who were represented by attorneys and claimants who were not represented. Cost: $125 in the U.S. and $140 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Uninsured Motorists, 2000 Edition - December 2000 , 27 pages.
Uninsured Motorists 2000 Edition updates a 1999 report with two additional years of data. It contains state and national statistics on uninsured motorist claim frequency, bodily injury claim frequency, and the ratio of uninsured motorist to bodily injury claim frequencies over time. Cost: $125 in the U.S. and $140 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Trends in Auto Injury Claims: 2000 Edition, January 2000, 260 pages (including appendices).
While the number of auto accidents with property damage claims declined in the last two decades, the number of bodily injury claims increased. This report examines the frequency and severity of bodily injury, property damage, and personal injury protection claims from 1980 through 1998 countrywide and by individual state. Territories within states are investigated for the period of 1995 through1997. In addition, Trends in Auto Injury Claims provides information on the bodily injury to property damage claims ratio, average loss costs, and average written liability premiums. Charts and graphs of observed trends are included as well as detailed tables of the data compiled from major statistical reporting agencies and state insurance departments; all organized in a permanent binder. Cost for each report is $300 in the U.S. and $315 elsewhere, postpaid. Data are available in electronic format for $500.
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Paying For Auto Injuries: A Consumer Panel Survey of Auto Accident Victims, September 1999, 111 pages.
This study of the reports of nearly 6,000 people who were injured in auto accidents examines: types, variety, and severity of injuries, as well as their treatment; economic losses; the role of various sources of reimbursement, (including auto, health, workers’ compensation, and disability insurance and government programs); attorney representation; and claimant satisfaction with auto injury settlements. Paying For Auto Injuries contains 44 tables, graphs, and charts that, along with text, provide rare insights into the experiences of auto accident victims. Also, there are over 50 supplementary tables in the appendix. Comparative data are provided from similar studies conducted in 1992, 1986, and 1977. Cost for each report is $125 in the U.S. and $140 elsewhere, postpaid. Databases from each of these studies are available for purchase from IRC.
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Uninsured Motorists, August 1999, 91 pages.
This study examines the extent of the uninsured motorist problem on a state-by-state basis, types and effectiveness of laws that encourage financial responsibility of vehicle owners, and the provisions of Uninsured Motorists laws affecting claim frequencies and coverage costs. Cost: $125 in the US and $140 elsewhere, postpaid. Also available Uninsured Motorists, October 1989, 63 pages.
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Injuries in Auto Accidents: An Analysis of Auto Insurance Claims, June 1999, 170 pages.
This study of over 87,000 auto injury claims examines: types, variety, and severity of injuries; treatment of injuries; economic losses and insurance payments; attorney representation; and economic impact of attorney representation and its effect on timeliness of settlement. Injuries in Auto Accidents contains 90 tables, graphs, and charts that together with the text clearly depict the findings of this investigation. In addition, there are 38 supplementary tables in an accompanying appendix. This study contains comparative findings from similar studies conducted in 1992, 1987, and 1977, presenting a 20-year window of data. Also available: 1992 closed claim study Auto Injuries: Claiming Behavior and Its Impact on Insurance Costs, September 1994, 126 pages; 1987 close claimed and consumer panel study, Compensation for Automobile Injuries in the United States, March 1989, 187 pages; and closed claim study, Automobile Injuries and Their Compensation in the United States, March 1979, 254 pages plus 409 pages of tables in Vol. II. Cost for each report $300 in the US, $315 elsewhere, postpaid. Databases from each of these studies are available for purchase from the IRC.
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Fraud and Buildup in Auto Injury Claims:
Pushing the Limits of the Auto Insurance System, September 1996, 110 pages.
This study systematically examines fraud and buildup in private passenger auto insurance claims in the United States. The findings are based on approximately 12,000 bodily injury liability claims and 3,000 no-fault personal injury protection claims closed during the Spring and Summer of 1992 in Arizona, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, New York, South Carolina and Texas. Cost: $125 in the U.S. and $140 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Trends in Auto Injury Claims - 1996 Edition
Part One: Analysis of Claim Frequency.
Part Two: Analysis of Claim Costs.
Auto injury claims are increasing sharply in many states, despite a drop in the number of property damage accidents. Part One of this report explores this continuing trend, showing variations over time, among states, and among territories. Part Two documents the total cost of injuries paid by auto insurance and examines the cost of injuries relative to property damage liability by state. Available appendices include claim frequency, claim severity and average loss cost data for each state from 1980-1995, and provide comparative data on every territory in the U.S. for a more limited period of time. Cost for each report: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid. Cost for complete set (reports, appendices, and binder): $300 in the U.S. and $315 elsewhere, postpaid. Cost for First Edition (1990), including appendices: $25 in the U.S., $40 elsewhere, postpaid. Databases are available for purchase from IRC.
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Auto Injuries: Claiming Behavior and Its Impact on Insurance Costs, September 1994, 126 pages.
This book reports results of a countrywide survey of nearly 62,000 auto injury claims paid by 61 major auto insurers in 1992. It discusses characteristics of the accidents and of those injured, trends in losses incurred and payments received, incidence of attorney involvement and its effect on claim costs, and variations by city and state in these and other factors. Comparisons are made between the 1992 data and similar studies conducted in 1987 and 1977. Also available: 1987 closed claim and consumer panel study, Compensation for Automobile Injuries in the United States, March 1989, 187 pages; and 1977 closed claim study, Automobile Injuries and Their Compensation in the United States, March 1979, 254 pages plus 409 pages of tables in Vol. II. Cost for each report: $125 in the U.S., $140 elsewhere, postpaid. Databases from each of these studies are available for purchase from IRC.
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Paying for Auto Injuries, May 1994, 72 pages.
This study examines the auto injury reimbursement process from the claimant's perspective, providing information on 5,503 recent auto injury victims. This consumer panel survey, a comprehensive update of similar IRC studies conducted in 1977 and 1986, reveals current patterns in the economic cost of injuries, types of medical providers used, different sources of reimbursement, and attorney involvement in injury claims. The study also reports on consumer satisfaction with settlement amounts as it relates to the other variations in claim circumstances. Cost: $125 in the U.S. and $140 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Catastrophic Auto Injuries, June 1992, 51 pages.
This survey of auto injury claims with unlimited no-fault medical benefits in Michigan, New Jersey and Pennsylvania provides detailed claimant, accident, injury and payment data for 1,061 claims with expected total payments of $100,000 or more. In addition, the report documents changes in the reported expected value of these claims over time, and differences in claim characteristics from earlier samples of catastrophic PIP claims and a broader sample of PIP claims with all types of injuries. Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Adequacy of Motor Vehicle Records in Evaluating Driver Performance, April 1991, 119 pages.
A survey of 27,627 reportable auto crashes in 40 states found only 40% of them were recorded on reports obtained from state motor vehicle departments, indicating millions of records cannot be obtained by employers and auto insurers to identify high-risk drivers. Results for each state and 26 major cities are reported. Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Automobile Injury Claims in Hawaii, May 1991, 59 pages.
This closed claim study examines characteristics of 712 auto injury claims closed in 1990, documenting Hawaii's high attorney involvement and the use of lengthy medical treatments for neck and back sprains to defeat the state's $7,000 no-fault threshold. Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Trends in Auto Bodily Injury Claims, November 1990, 156 pages.
This report examines the changing pattern of automobile injury claims in the United States over the 1980-1989 period. The study focuses on the changing relationship between the frequency of injury claims and the frequency of property damage claims in each state and each territory. Copies are $25 postpaid in the U.s. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.

Auto Insurance Reform: Public Views of Ideas for Reducing Costs and Speeding Settlement of Auto Insurance Claims, September 1990, 34 pages.
A countrywide survey conducted by The Gallup Organization, Inc. explores public acceptance of key auto insurance reform ideas being discussed by legislators and other public policy decision-makers. The survey found substantial public support for limiting lawsuits in minor injury cases. Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Attorney Involvement in Auto Injury Claims, December 1988, 54 pages.
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. Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Uninsured Motorists, October 1989, 63 pages.
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. Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Catastrophic No-Fault Auto Injury Claims, May 1989, 26 pages.
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. Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Claimant Satisfaction in Auto Accident Cases, June 1989, 36 pages.
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. Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Unisex Auto Insurance Rating, October 1987, 20 pages.
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. Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Patterns of Shopping Behavior in Auto Insurance, January 1985, 60 pages.
This report contains the findings of three related surveys to determine how vehicle owners shop for auto insurance and types of information available to them. The studies found that consumers engage in a large amount of comparison shopping, and report little difficulty in obtaining the information they need for buying auto insurance. Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Evaluation of Motor Vehicle Records, April 1984, 96 pages.
This study evaluates state motor vehicle records as a source of information on individual driver accidents and convictions in the 37 states that made available such information as of 1983. The study shows great variability among states in the amount of accident and conviction information found on publicly available state records, and provides explanations for these differences across states. Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Uninsured Motorist: Facts & Figures, January 1984, 56 pages.
This study pulls together available statistics on uninsured and hit-and-run motorists countrywide and on a state-by-state basis. It includes information on the historical development of the uninsured motorist coverage, characteristics of uninsured motorists, estimates of the size of the uninsured motorists problem by state, and on state laws pertaining to uninsured and underinsured motorists. Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Insurer Study of PIP Serious Injury claims - Follow-Up 1982, December 1982, 44 pages.
This report monitors the progress of 420 seriously injured crash victims whose files were initially surveyed as part of Automobile Injuries and Their Compensation in the United States. This is the second follow-up survey of the survivors. In addition to tracking survival rates and updating expected costs, the study includes a new count of large-loss claims open as of year-end 1981 in the three surveyed states (Michigan, Pennsylvania, New Jersey). Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Geographical Differences in Automobile Insurance Costs, October 1982, 55 pages.
The study describes how the number and cost of auto insurance claims vary from one area to another, leading to differences in insurance premiums by territory. Using data from Connecticut, Ohio and Florida, the study also correlates insurance rates by territory with data on population density, accidents reported to state motor vehicle departments and auto thefts reported to police. Out of Print

Auto Theft in the United States, December 1981, 22 pages.
This is a compendium of statistics on auto theft in the United States). Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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State Motor Vehicle Records as a Source of Driver Performance Information, March 1981, 15 pages.
The study was the Council's first effort to document the massive underreporting of serious accidents and traffic violations in state motor vehicle records. Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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The Cost of Auto Insurance: How Consumer Choices and Characteristics Affect the Premiums People Pay, December 1980, 52 pages.
Research for this study was based on an examination of 3.8 million auto insurance policies insuring nearly 5.8 million vehicles. The study shows how average premiums vary according to such factors as the number of cars insured, the age and value of the car, urban vs. rural locations, age and sex of principal drivers and prior accident records. Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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A Study of Uninsured Motorists Involved in Reported Automobile Accidents, August 1980, 27 pages.
The report examines the characteristics of uninsured motorists and the vehicles they drive. Based on the data from official accident reports filed with motor vehicle departments in California, Florida, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oregon, Virginia and West Virginia. Free.
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Insurer Study of PIP Serious Injury claims - 1980 Follow-Up Survey. December 1980, 22 pages.
This is the first follow-up on the 420 seriously injured crash victims whose files were initially surveyed as part of Automobile Injuries and Their Compensation in the United States. The study recorded changes in their conditions since 1978 and updated statistics on current and future expected costs. Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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The following four reports are based on additional analyses of the data from Automobile Injuries and Their Compensation in the United States.

An Analysis of Accident Location in Relation to Area of Residence, July 1980, 5 pages. Free.
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Subrogation of PIP Claims, July 1980, 12 pages. Free.
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Extent of Auto and Health Insurance, July 1980, 7 pages. Free.
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Attorney Representation, June 1980, 8 pages. Free.
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LIABILITY INSURANCE

Motivating Safety in the Workplace, June 1995, 42 pages.
This survey of approximately 3,200 small and medium businesses examines the different measures employers take to prevent workplace injury and illness. Among other topics, the report documents the measures that surveyed business owners feel are most effective in promoting safety, what motivates them to implement the measures, and what prevents them from taking additional preventative action. Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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A Comparative Study of Liability Law and Compensation Schemes in Ten Countries and the United States, Werner Pfennigstorf with Donald G. Gifford. November 1991, 207 pages. ISBN: 1-56594-000-8.
This book compares principles and applications of liability law in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. Foreign perspectives are provided by Werner Pfennigstorf, who served as research attorney and project director of the American Bar Foundation 1973-86 and now is in private law practice in the Federal Republic of Germany. American perspectives are provided by Donald G. Gifford, Dean of the College of Law, West Virginia University. Cost: $125 in the U.S. and $140 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Medical Cost Containment in Casualty Claims, May 1991, 50 pages.
Rising medical costs are a major cause of higher insurance costs for workers' compensation, general liability and automobile insurance. This report explores medical cost containment techniques used by insurers of those coverages and offers an assessment of their effectiveness. Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Surveys on Liability Insurance for Government Entities, November 1986, 66 pages.
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. Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Pollution Liability: The Evolution of a Difficult Insurance Market, October 1985, 50 pages.
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. Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Risk Assessment For Pollution Liability: A Survey of Insurers and Environmental Consultants, December 1985, 36 pages.
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. Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Pollution Liability Claims Administration, July 1986, 20 pages.
The report describes how insurers have organized their claims operations for handling pollution liability claims, based on responses from 13 companies. Contains information on the number and types of pollution claims filed in 1984. Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Structured Settlements: Use and Characteristics of Structured Settlements in the Property-Casualty Insurance Industry, October 1983, 45 pages.
Insurance companies are making increasing use of annuities and other forms of "structured" settlements in lieu of lump-sum payments to disabled or seriously injured liability claimants. This report contains findings of a survey involving 54 major property-casualty insurers concerning their use of the technique, criteria used for making structured settlement offers, funding arrangements and other aspects. Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Attitudes of FAIR Plan Home Insurance Policyholders in 12 Major American Cities, October 1981, 52 pages.
A telephone survey was conducted of 1,994 homeowners known to have obtained their residential insurance coverages through FAIR plans to see how their experiences and attitudes compared with those of homeowners in general. Cities included were Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Brooklyn, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Providence. Out of Print

The Availability of Homeowners Insurance in Six Major Cities: Consumer Experience and Attitudes, May 1981, 40 pages.
This survey measures the experience and attitudes of homeowners regarding their purchase of residential insurance in Chicago, Cleveland, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Los Angeles and the borough of Brooklyn in New York City. Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Municipal Liability Insurance: Survey of Municipalities and Insurance Companies, May 1980, 71 pages plus 284 pages of tables and appendices.

Municipal Liability Insurance: Underwriting Results, December 1980, 80 pages.
These two related studies of municipal liability involved a survey of selected municipalities and of insurers writing municipal liability coverages, plus the collection of premium and loss experience on the cities responding to the survey. The survey explores availability of coverage, cost of coverage, and actions needed to control rising liability losses. Responses were received from 83 insurance companies and 853 municipalities. Cost per publication: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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PUBLIC ATTITUDE MONITOR SERIES
The Council has conducted public attitude surveys of U.S. households since 1980, measuring public attitudes on a variety of topics related to risk and insurance. Topics included are listed by year.

Public Attitude Monitor 2006, Issue 2, October 2006, 38 pages. The second issue of the Insurance Research Council’s Public Attitude Monitor 2006 (PAM) examines the public's attitudes and opinions on a variety of issues related to natural disasters and how attitudes and opinions differ based on proximity to the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico. Findings show that Americans living in close proximity to the coastline were more likely to favor strong building codes and the rebuilding of coastal wetlands. Coastal residents also were more likely to report taking steps to prepare for future natural disasters. Those living in non-coastal areas were more likely to disapprove of taxpayer and policyholder subsidies of insurance costs for those living in high risk areas. Cost: $65 in the U.S. and $80 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Public Attitude Monitor 2006, Issue 1, August 2006, 48 pages. This issue of the Insurance Research Council’s Public Attitude Monitor 2006 (PAM) examines the public's perception of vulnerability to natural disasters, actions taken to prepare for the aftermath of disasters, opinions regarding building codes and subsidization of insurance costs, and other issues. Findings show that many Americans believe that a natural disaster is likely to cause harm or property damage to their households sometime in the next five years. The report also indicates that most Americans support the adoption and enforcement of building codes to make new homes stronger and safer. Most Americans do not support government subsidization of insurance costs and do not support subsidization of the cost of insurance in high risk areas by policyholders in low risk areas. Cost: $65 in the U.S. and $80 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Public Attitude Monitor 2005 - Issue 2, December 2005, 23 pages. This second issue of the Insurance Research Council’s Public Attitude Monitor 2005 (PAM) examines the public's understanding of the relationship between a deductible and premium. Findings show that more than four in ten Americans who have a homeowners policy do not understand one of the fundamental principles of insurance, specifically that when a deductible increases the amount of the premium decreases. The report also indicates that most Americans find it easy to obtain homeowners insurance that meets their needs and is affordable. Filing a claim within the past five years has a small to negligible effect on the percentage of homeowners who find it easy to obtain insurance. Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Public Attitude Monitor 2005 - Issue 1, September 2005, 21 pages. This first issue of the Insurance Research Council’s Public Attitude Monitor 2005 (PAM) examines public perceptions of the profitability of homeowners insurance. Findings show that the public substantially overestimates insurers’ profits and underestimates the cost of paying claims. The public’s estimates are remarkably consistent across subgroups and geographic areas and have not changed since last assessed in 1998. Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Public Attitude Monitor 2004 - Issue 1, February 2004, 40 pages. This first issue of the Insurance Research Council’s Public Attitude Monitor 2004 (PAM) examines public opinion on issues concerning civil justice reform and, more specifically, public attitudes toward personal injury lawsuits and class action lawsuits. Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Public Attitude Monitor 2003 - Issue 1, May 2003, 30 pages. The first issue of the Insurance Research Council's Public Attitude Monitor 2003 (PAM) examines homeowners' beliefs and practices regarding disaster preparedness, home safety, and homeowners insurance. Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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PAM 2002 - Issue 4, December 2002, 24 pages. The fourth issue of the Insurance Research Council's Public Attitude Monitor 2002 (PAM) examines public opinion on several issues related to auto insurance: insurance rates for the youngest and oldest drivers, the use of automatic data recorders in private passenger vehicles, and perceptions of the accuracy of state motor vehicle records (MVRs) of traffic convictions. Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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PAM 2002 - Issue 3, November 2002, 23 pages. The third issue of the Insurance Research Council's Public Attitude Monitor 2002 (PAM) examines consumers' satisfaction with their auto or homeowners insurance, the public's perceptions of the responsiveness of the insurance industry to the September 11th terrorist attacks, their understanding and awareness of insurance regulation, and their opinions on how insurers should handle claims for losses that a policy was not priced to cover. Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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PAM 2002 - Issue 2, October 2002, 24 pages. The second issue of the Insurance Research Council's Public Attitude Monitor 2002 (PAM) examines the public's opinion on issues related to vehicle occupant safety: the importance of vehicle safety in the vehicle purchase decision, side air bags, head restraints, and primary versus secondary seat belt enforcement. Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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PAM 2002 - Issue 1, May 2002, 25 pages. The first issue of the Insurance Research Council's Public Attitude Monitor 2002 (PAM) examines the public's opinion about child passenger safety and reported frequency of home ownership and homeowners insurance. Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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PAM 2001 - Issue 3, October 2001, 23 pages. The third issue of the Insurance Research Council's Public Attitude Monitor 2001 (PAM) examines public opinions of using competitive parts for auto repair and using insurer-designated auto repair shops. Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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PAM 2001 - Issue 2, October 2001, 31 pages. The second issue of the Insurance Research Council's Public Attitude Monitor 2001 (PAM) examines consumers' attitudes toward shopping for auto insurance, use of the Internet in shopping for and researching auto insurance, and uninsured vehicles. Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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PAM 2001: - Issue 1, September 2001, 45 pages. The first issue of the Insurance Research Council's Public Attitude Monitor 2001 (PAM) describes the public's response to questions concerning special licensing laws for older and younger drivers, support for motorcycle helmets, attitudes regarding drinking before driving, strict enforcement of speed limits, and red light cameras. Cost: $25 each in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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PAM 2000: - Issue 3, December 2000, 31 pages. This third issue of the Insurance Research Council's Public Attitude Monitor 2000 (PAM) report analyzes the public's response to questions about cellular phones and driving and trucks and highway safety. Cost: $25 each in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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PAM 2000: PAM 2000: Issue 2, September 2000, 27 pages. This second issue of the Insurance Research Council's Public Attitude Monitor 2000 (PAM) report examines consumers' satisfaction with insurance, their general insurance knowledge, public opinion about banks and insurance, and attitudes about primary seatbelt enforcement and red light cameras. Cost: $25 each in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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PAM 2000: Public Attitude Monitor 2000: Issue 1, April 2000, 27 pages. This first issue of the Insurance Research Council's Public Attitude Monitor 2000 (PAM) report examines public opinions of class action lawsuits, third party bad faith lawsuits, and insurance fraud. Cost: $25 each in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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PAM 99:Public Attitude Monitor 1999: Issue 4, December 1999, 31 pages. This fourth issue of PAM 1999 focuses on three subjects. The first is the importance of vehicle safety, crash test ratings, and other safety information to purchasers of passenger vehicles, as well as the sources used by consumers when obtaining vehicle safety information. The second topic is public awareness of and attitudes toward the safety of sport utility vehicles (SUVs). The third subject addressed by this PAM report is the problem of uninsured drivers. Cost: $25 each in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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PAM 99: Public Attitude Monitor 1999: Issue 3, October 1999, 31 pages. This third issue of PAM 1999 examines public perceptions of the threat of vehicle theft and measures to reduce theft losses as well as various ideas to reduce auto accidents among the nation's youngest and oldest drivers. Cost: $25 each in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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PAM 99: Public Attitude Monitor 1999: Issue 2, August 1999, 23 pages. This second issue of PAM 1999 examines two subjects. The first subject concerns public attitudes toward fraud in filing workers' compensation claims. The second subject concerns the computer problems associated with the year 2000. Cost: $25 each in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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PAM 99: Public Attitude Monitor 1999: Issue 1, April 1999, 23 pages. This first issues of PAM 1999 examines public attitudes toward coping with the property damage caused by natural disasters. The survey found that 60 percent of Americans believe that a major natural disaster might occur in their area sometime in the next ten years. In spite of that belief, few homeowners have purchased the supplemental insurance needed to protect them from the potentially large financial losses associated with natural disasters. Cost: $25 each in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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PAM 98: The topics in the Public Attitude Monitor (PAM) 1998 report are covered in two issues. The first issue examines public perceptions of profitability of personal auto and homeowners lines of insurance. The regulation of insurance and choice in auto insurance are the two main topics covered in the second issue of PAM '98. Cost: $25 each in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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PAM 97: The Public Attitude Monitor (PAM) 1997 is based on four surveys covering the following topics: domestic violence, air bags, credit history, cell phones, truckers, aggressive driving, no-fault insurance, no-pay no play concept, fraud, speeding, and drinking and driving. The PAM 97 report will be issued in a series of releases, each covering single or related topics. Cost: $25 each in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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PAM 96: This survey examines consumer attitudes about cost containment issues including managed medical and auto care, fraud-fighting efforts, no-fault insurance, uninsured drivers, and the "values" insurance provides. The legal issues including attorney involvement in the claims process, personal injury lawsuits, and tort reform are explored in this edition. Highway safety issues such as air bag safety, red light cameras, and motorcycle helmet laws are examined. Consumer attitudes toward natural disaster subsidies also are explored. Cost: $25 each in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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PAM 95: Topics explored in this survey include consumer auto and home insurance shopping behavior, consumer willingness to provide insurers with information on race, ethnicity and income for regulatory purposes, and awareness of factors affecting the cost of settling automobile insurance claims. This survey also examines recent trends in public attitude towards insurance fraud and views on disaster relief by geographic region. Public opinion regarding roadway safety issues, including drinking and driving, acceptability of speeding, and reducing accidents among teenage drivers and elderly drivers, also is explored in this survey. Cost: $25 each in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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PAM 93: This survey explores consumer expectations from auto insurers, and investigates when and why people hire lawyers for auto claims. The survey also examines attitudes regarding insurance fraud, affordability of auto insurance, insurance company access to motor vehicle records, employee perceptions of safety in the workplace, managed health care in auto insurance and workers' compensation, and responsibility for adequate homeowner's insurance. Cost: $25 each in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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PAM 92: This survey explores public attitudes on insurance fraud in workers' compensation and disability claims, affordability of auto insurance, effects of attorney advertising, traffic safety issues, earthquake risk, and other insurance topics. Cost: $25 each in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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PAM 91: This survey examines insurance fraud issues including: the acceptability of various activities in which some facts are misrepresented when filling out an auto insurance application or filing a claim, penalties by insurers and courts for various acts, ideas to reduce the number of dishonest claims, claim padding, and fraud in circumstances other than insurance. The survey also addresses public understanding of the workers' compensation system and the likelihood of hiring a lawyer in connection with a workers' compensation claim, acceptability of speeding and effectiveness of driver improvement courses, consumer confidence in the financial stability of a variety of industries, and views on the cost of auto insurance. Cost: $25 each in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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PAM 90: Traffic safety issues, including safety equipment (air bags, automatic seat belts, anti-lock brakes, child safety seats, motorcycle helmets), stronger bumpers, speeding and speed limits, alcohol and drugs, trucks and highway safety, motor vehicle records and insurer access to them, cost of auto insurance and actions taken to reduce it, and geographic differences in auto premiums are the focus of this survey. Factors influencing auto purchasing decisions are also examined. Cost: $25 each in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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PAM 89: 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. Cost: $25 each in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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PAM 88: 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. Cost: $25 each in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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PAM 87: 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. Cost: $25 each in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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PAM 86: 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. Cost: $25 each in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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PAM 85: 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. Cost: $25 each in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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PAM 84: This nationwide survey of U.S. households probes public attitudes toward sale of insurance by various kinds of financial institutions and the steps needed to protect the public from insolvencies of private financial institutions. It also examines how people shop for auto insurance. Cost: $25 each in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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PAM 83: In addition to covering many of the auto-related topics probed in the three previous PAM surveys, the 1983 study introduces a number of new topics including public perceptions of homeowners insurance, types of coverage, cost of owning and operating a car, gender-neutral insurance rating factors, and drunk driving. Cost: $25 each in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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PAM 82: Topics explored in this third PAM study include: cost of owning and operating a car, perceptions about the cost of auto insurance and auto insurance rating factors, items influencing car purchase decisions, support for drunk driving countermeasures, and extent of accident reporting. Cost: $25 each in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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PAM 81: In addition to covering many of the auto-related topics listed for the 1982 survey, the 1981 study explores public attitudes toward insurance claim fraud and provides information on consumer experience with and attitudes towards buying homeowners insurance, cost of auto insurance and other auto-related topics. Cost: $25 each in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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PAM 80: This initial survey focuses on topics of ownership of vehicles and auto insurance including: attitudes toward auto-related expenses, problems in buying auto insurance, availability of information about auto insurance, auto insurance selection and rating factors, government regulation and competition. Cost: $25 each in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Business Attitude Series

Business Attitude Monitor 2000, April 2000, 64 Pages
The 2000 edition surveyed firms with annual sales volume of between $5 million and $125 million about their attitudes toward the deregulation of commercial lines rates and forms and their satisfaction with various aspects of their insurance experience. Cost: $125 in the U.S. and $140 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Business Attitude Monitor Series
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. Cost: $25 per issue in the U.S., $40 each elsewhere.
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GENERAL

Consumer Attitudes Toward Information Sharing Between Businesses, June 2001, 32 pages. This report summarizes findings from initial quantitative and focus group research completed in 2000, and explores the issue of information sharing in context of the tradeoff between strict protection of consumer information and the benefits that result from allowing businesses to share customer information within and between companies. Cost $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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Catalog of Indices, March 1982, 60 pages. This is a compendium of information about frequently quoted indices relevant to property and casualty insurance, published by public and private sources. The report describes the characteristics of each index and provides ordering information. Cost: $25 in the U.S. and $40 elsewhere, postpaid.
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