Gig Economy Vehicles and Commercial Auto Insurance Trends
The surge in vehicles operating within the gig economy has played a critical role in the rise of commercial auto insurance claims, contrasting with a downward trend in personal auto claims. According to the Verisk ClaimSearch Trends Report released on April 14, collisions involving gig-economy vehicles accounted for 10% of all commercial auto claims in the United States, up from 6% in 2021.
This data underscores a divergent pattern in collision repairs. Personal auto claims, historically prevalent in the collision repair sector, are witnessing a steady decline. In juxtaposition, claims associated with commercial vehicles within the gig economy are on the rise, now representing a larger portion of the repair industry.
Verisk's analysis reveals that commercial auto claims tied to gig work, especially those involving ride-hailing and delivery services, surged by 96% from 2021 to 2025, with claim numbers escalating from 89,000 to 175,000. Food delivery vehicles recorded the most significant increase, with claims skyrocketing by 300%, while ride-hailing claims expanded by 66%. Comparatively, non-gig commercial claims increased by 15% during this period, reaching 1.8 million in 2025.
The growth of platforms like Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash has largely fueled this upward trajectory, reshaping commercial transportation dynamics and influencing loss patterns in the sector. Each year from 2021 to 2025, the percentage of gig-related commercial auto claims incrementally rose.
In contrast, personal auto claims decreased to 31.6 million in 2025, down from their 2022 peak of 34.4 million. Findings by CCC Intelligent Solutions indicate a 9.7% drop in repairable claims paired with a record 23.1% in total loss frequency. Factors contributing to this trend include low consumer confidence impacting insurance coverage decisions, prompting higher deductibles and fewer claims.
Commercial auto claims rose from 1.6 million in 2021 to 1.94 million in 2024, before slightly decreasing to 1.84 million in 2025, yet the volume remained 14% higher than in 2021. Additionally, the report notes a significant rise in claims involving autonomous vehicles, with claim figures quadrupling from about 100 in 2021 to over 400 in 2025, affecting personal, commercial, and workers' compensation policies.
Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet, emerges as a front-runner in this evolving landscape, with other players like GM's Cruise, Amazon's Zoox, and Tesla's Cybercab contributing substantial advancements. The ongoing development of advanced driver-assistance systems and autonomous technologies will significantly impact collision repair practices and equipment needs.