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ATLANTA, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- For the second consecutive quarter, the LexisNexis® U.S. Insurance Demand Meter recorded "Nuclear" levels of auto insurance shopping and new policy volumes, while the latter set a new record for growth since LexisNexis® Risk Solutions first began tracking U.S. insurance consumer shopping behavior more than a decade ago. Insurer-led marketing programs fueled activity among price-sensitive consumers who responded in droves to industry rate-taking. At the end of the quarter, nearly half (45%) of the U.S. policies-in-force were shopped at least once in the preceding 12 months, a result of the continued escalation of activity the market has witnessed over the past two quarters.
Key Takeaways
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Auto Insurance Shopping Surge: U.S. consumer auto insurance shopping grew by 31.2% year-over-year in Q3 2024, up considerably from Q2's 16.1% growth.
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New Policy Volume Growth: New auto policy volumes increased by 25.9% year-over-year, an increase from Q2's 19.5% number.
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Preferred Segments are More Active: Rate increases drove shopping among the 66+ demographic and preferred and long-tenured customers, which continued the notable shift in traditionally less active segments hitting the market.
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Direct-to-Consumer Dominance: Direct channel shopping rates jumped 67% and new policies grew 54%, followed by independent agent carriers posting 26% shopping growth.
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Peak Month for Activity: In August, certain states experienced growth streaks for both shopping and new policy activations. In both categories, Florida (38%), Texas (33%) and Michigan (19%) exhibited increased activity by volume, while Wyoming (80%), Louisiana (54%) and Montana (47%) displayed elevated growth by percentage. New York and California not only ranked in the top five for shopping and new policy growth, they also landed in growth-by- volume and growth-by-percentage categories.
Market Impact of Hurricane Helene
At the end of the third quarter, Hurricane Helene made landfall. Despite the initial halt in shopping Florida (-17%) and Georgia (-16%) experienced, they bounced back more quickly than the Carolinas. North and South Carolina initially saw smaller shopping losses as a result of the storm, but while diminished, the effects continued to linger through the end of the quarter.
Key Observations
"Throughout Q3, the momentum in policy shopping and new policy volumes reached unprecedented levels as U.S. insurers worked to balance profitability with market demands," said Jeff Batiste, senior vice president and general manager, U.S. auto insurance, LexisNexis Risk Solutions. "With strategic reactivation of marketing programs, U.S. insurers enticed motivated consumers, eager to offset the market's rising auto and home policy costs. Resulting record activity levels, coupled with the effects of increased rates, may see the industry officially turning the page on its less profitable chapter and opening its doors for growth."