The share of total claims dollars attributable to bodily injury costs rose from less than 20% in 2022 to more than 26% in 2025, according to the 2026 LexisNexis U.S. Auto Insurance Trends Report, released May 19 by LexisNexis Risk Solutions. The report, published annually, draws on aggregated auto insurance market data covering driving behavior, policy shopping activity, vehicle mix dynamics, and claims metrics.
The bodily injury cost escalation is occurring alongside a sustained decline in collision frequency. According to the report, that decline reduces insurer visibility into prior vehicle damage, which the report describes as creating “underwriting and downstream claims challenges.”
The pattern is consistent with data from multiple industry sources. CCC Intelligent Solutions' Crash Course 2026 report found repairable claims declined 9.7% in 2025 while total loss frequency reached a record 23.1%. LexisNexis's findings add a claims-dollar dimension to that picture: fewer collisions are occurring, but the financial weight of each is increasing, driven by bodily injury rather than material damage.
Distracted Driving Violations Surge Across Age Groups
Overall, traffic violations have returned to pre-pandemic levels and remain elevated, with growth now surging in minor violations, according to the report. Distracted driving is driving an outsized share of that increase. Violations linked to distraction are up 57% across all age groups since 2022, with drivers aged 36 to 45 experiencing increases of 70% or more and those 66 and older seeing a 73% increase. LexisNexis notes that miles driven have increased by only 2% over the same period, indicating changes in driver behavior and traffic enforcement patterns rather than increased road exposure.
The 2025 LexisNexis report found all driving violations up 17% year-over-year in 2024, with major speeding violations up 16% and driving under the influence up 8%. The 2026 data shows distraction specifically accelerating and spreading across age groups beyond younger drivers.
Together, the LexisNexis findings describe an insurance market where the total pool of collision claims is shrinking while bodily injury costs consume a growing share of every claims dollar. Combined with data from CCC Intelligent Solutions and Mitchell International showing rising repair complexity and calibration requirements per job, the picture for shops is one of fewer claims, each carrying more operational and documentation weight.
The full 2026 LexisNexis U.S. Auto Insurance Trends Report is available at risk.lexisnexis.com.
