2025 Insurance Claims Trends: Emerging Risks and Declines
In 2025, insurance claims volumes experienced a notable decrease, yet the emergence of new risks posed significant challenges, according to Verisk's latest ClaimsSearch Trends Report. Although homeowner claims saw a marked decline, dropping 19% from the previous year and reaching their lowest in five years, complexities in risk management have increased, especially with concerns over the Los Angeles wildfires' potential long-term impact. Despite a calmer hurricane season, these evolving threats indicate a shift in the insurance landscape.
Commercial property claims also decreased, with figures dropping to 710,000 in 2025 from 910,000 in 2023. The gig economy significantly influenced commercial auto claims, spiking them by 96% since 2021, primarily driven by food delivery and ride-hailing services. Conversely, vehicle theft claims decreased by 25%, yet losses remain concentrated among certain vehicle brands and specific parts, highlighting emerging theft patterns as influenced by market dynamics.
Personal auto claims saw a slight reduction of about 3% following a previous 5% drop in 2024. There was also a 5% decline in commercial auto claims, but levels are still 14% above those in 2021, indicating persistent commercial driving risks. Other areas, such as workers compensation and general liability claims, maintained stable volumes, showcasing consistent risk profiles. Shane Riedman, president of anti-fraud analytics at Verisk, emphasized that declines in claim volumes contrast with the complexity of underlying loss patterns.
The report underscores severe impacts from the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, where smoke damage alone contributed to a significant portion of losses. The surge in e-bike-related claims, attributed to rider injuries, fires, and theft, also represents a growing concern, having quadrupled to over 4,000 claims. Additionally, targeted vehicle thefts, catalyzed by fluctuations in precious metal prices, continued to affect select brands and highlight vulnerabilities tied to economic factors.
Emerging risks such as autonomous vehicles, e-bikes, and chemical hazards are spotlighted as areas requiring vigilance in regulatory compliance and risk assessment, offering potential subrogation opportunities in workers compensation claims compared to general liability lines.