Auto Insurance Rate Hikes Likely in 2016 - 2017
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2015 was a difficult year for auto insurance companies. A huge rise in accidents and payouts and a stagnant bond market have made it likely that carriers will raise car insurance premiums for drivers in 2016 and 2017.
More drivers hit the road in the past year than ever before. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction, though: More drivers led to more accidents, forcing insurance companies to pay out unprecedented sums in claims.
The number of claims made in 2015 was so high that 14 of the 20 largest insurance companies saw their combined loss ratios — the amount they paid toward claims out of each dollar of premiums — increase from 2014. Of the top 10 auto insurance companies, based on market share in the United States, only Geico, Progressive and Travelers had combined loss ratios of less than 100%, meaning that policyholders' premiums were enough to cover claims and other expenses.
Rank | Largest auto insurance companies | Combined loss ratio |
|---|---|---|
|
1 | State Farm | 112% |
|
2 | Geico | 98% |
|
3 | Allstate | 101% |
|
4 | Progressive | 94% |
|
5 | USAA | 103% |
|
6 | Farmers | 109% |
|
7 | Liberty Mutual | 104% |
|
8 | Nationwide | 110% |
|
9 | American Family Insurance | 106% |
|
10 | Travelers | 97% |
Source: SNL Financial
Almost none of the major auto insurance companies were profitable in terms of their auto premiums in 2015. Since they are not profiting from their primary business, the companies have to rely on other types of business or investments. Typically, large insurance companies reinvest their profits in bond markets for a fixed income. Before the 2008 financial crisis, bonds were a sound investment strategy for companies with capital.
Between 2002 and 2007, 10-year US Treasury bonds yielded an average 4.6% return. The average 10-year bond has yielded 2.6% since 2008 and is a paltry 1.7% as of May 2016. These low interest rates have decreased bond returns.
The situation is dire for companies like MetLife, which holds $350 billion in fixed-income investments. Steve Kandarian, CEO of MetLife, did not hide his pessimistic outlook in his annual shareholders meeting last week, saying, "The macro environment remains extremely challenging and shows little sign of near-term improvement." The Oracle of Omaha himself, Warren Buffet, shared that sentiment at the Berkshire Hathaway (holding company of Geico) shareholders meeting as well.
Faced with few options, auto insurance companies may have no choice but to hike rates in the next year or two. In fact, this has already started. In Georgia, Allstate submitted a request to increase rates by 25% by May 22, 2016 — a nearly unprecedented rate hike. According to RateFilings.com, 2015 saw rates increase an average of 5.9%; rates have already increased 2.2% in the first quarter of 2016, excluding the potential 25% hike in Georgia.
In every state except California and Wyoming, Geico has raised rates at least once in the past year. Farmers, which had one of the smaller levels of year-to-year direct premium growth, but one of the largest combined loss ratios, increased rates by double digits in more than 20 states.
The signs point to rate hikes in the near future. As long as there are more drivers on the road, there will likely be more accidents. The Fed appears to be in no rush to increase rates, while foreign central banks have experimented with negative interest rates. With the bond market compressed, the brunt will probably fall on drivers. If it's an option, renewing policies now, before new hikes, may be the best way for drivers to delay higher future rates.
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