Senators Question Insurers Over Claims Data and Consumer Trust

Senators Elizabeth Warren and Josh Hawley sent letters to some of the largest personal lines insurers in the U.S. concerning claims data for homeowners and auto claims, particularly those closed without payment. The senators stated they had serious concerns regarding whether consumers could trust insurers to uphold their agreements during emergencies. The inquiry followed an August report published by the Wall Street Journal, which the senators cited.

The senators' questioning focused on issues raised in the cited reports, which found that auto insurers did not pay out on 45% of closed auto liability and medical claims last year. A separate report indicated that the five largest homeowners insurers did not pay on 44% of resolved claims. Industry groups, including the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC), pushed back against the findings, stating the senators were misconstruing the issue.