Claim Counts Recover

The collision repair industry has experienced a great deal of change over the last several years.  The Great Recession drove already flat-to-declining vehicle accident frequency down further, while high unemployment rates led to further declines in overall U.S. miles driven.  In 2014, however, the industry saw claim frequency rise to levels last seen pre-recession.[1] 

And through first quarter 2015, the industry continues to see elevated claim counts, particularly in states that saw the brunt of another brutal winter.  Overall repairable claim counts are up approximately 3 percent, while total loss counts are up over 7 percent, reflecting both severe weather and an older vehicle population still on the road in the U.S.[2]