With a few exceptions, personal insurance purchases decreased in Q2 2022 – InsuranceNewsNet

CHICAGO, August 25, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Auto insurance purchases fell 3% overall in the second quarter of 2022 compared to the second quarter of 2021. This trend was driven primarily by a significant decline from higher-risk consumers, where purchases decreased up 11%, compared to the second quarter of 2021. TransUnion’s (NYSE: TRU ) new Personal Lines Insurance Trends and Outlook report found that purchases of property and auto insurance in the second quarter of 2022 were generally subdued, with some exceptions in certain segments.

When comparing consumers across all credit levels, there was a clear overall trend change in that consumers with high credit scores continued to increase their auto insurance purchases.

Auto insurance purchases by credit level (Q2 2022 vs Q2 2021)

Low credit scores (300-500)		Average credit scores (501-700)		High credit scores (701+)
-11%		-3%		4%

“The lack of new vehicle purchases depressed overall auto insurance purchases,” it said Michelle Jackson, senior director of personal property and casualty insurance in TransUnion’s insurance business. “Even with the influx of consumers buying their own auto insurance as premiums rise from rate hikes across the industry, that can’t overcome the depressed purchase rates we’re seeing from consumers who aren’t buying new cars, creating a purchase event.”

Migration activity in southern states drives the purchase of homeowners insurance
Overall, homeowner insurance purchases saw a modest increase (4%) in the second quarter of 2022, compared to the same time last year. This trend was mainly driven by activity in Southern United Stateswhere purchases increased by 12%, compared to Q2 2021.

“We’re still seeing interest in moving to sunnier environments, which has led to increased purchases of homeowners insurance in states such as Florida AND TEXAS, which ironically are states that are more prone to extreme weather events and more expensive to insure,” Jackson said. “However, consumers in the housing market are increasingly facing headwinds from rising mortgage interest rates and housing costs, which has dampened the rate of purchases and repurchases, and consequently, insurance purchases.”

It is possible for the market to make a comeback. According to a TransUnion Consumer Pulse survey conducted in the second quarter of this year, 32% of consumers reported that they will apply for a mortgage within the next year—a 4% increase from Q1 2022. Of those surveyed, Millennials led the all generations with 40%. This corresponds with our observations of homeowner purchases by generation, with Gen X and Millennials seeing the highest growth in purchases year-over-year (between 11%-14%).

The role of rent in securing property
Another factor in the slowdown in property insurance is that renters’ insurance purchases decreased significantly (10%) in the second quarter of 2022. While purchases were down across all generations, purchases among Baby Boomer and Silent Generation renters decreased by 16%, compared to Q2 2021.

“This is almost certainly a correction after an unusually large increase seen within the same group last year, when millions of older homeowners cashed in on their home equity and moved into the rental market. Given that they are typically more financially stable, they were more likely to purchase or maintain coverage for their new rental home,” Jackson added.

In addition, purchases in the second quarter of 2022 among Gen Z renters decreased by 12%, compared to the second quarter of 2021. This can be attributed to an overall increase in rents: According to a joint TransUnion AND National Apartment Association analysis of more than 300,000 rental units in USthe average monthly rental price increased 17% from 1365 dollars one month to 1599 dollarswhen comparing Q1 2021 to Q1 2022. Rising rents typically prompt renters to stay put rather than look for a new apartment.

For additional insights into the personal lines insurance market, the full report can be accessed here.

About the TransUnion Insurance Trends and Outlook Report
Previously, Personal lines insurance shopping report, this quarterly publication examines trends in the personal lines insurance industry, including acquisitions, migration, breaches, stability of credit-based insurance and more. The Trends and Outlook Report research is based entirely on TransUnion’s extensive internal data and analysis. It includes information on insurance purchase transactions from January 2021 to July 2022. However, the report excludes data from insurance customers in California, HawaiiAND Massachusettswhere credit-based insurance assessment information is not used for insurance assessment or underwriting.

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Source: TransUnion