In fact, a survey done for the IRC in 1933 reveals urban residents are more willing to pad a claim than suburbanites. Nevertheless, these claiming patterns require closer analysis for a complete answer to be found. This distancing is harmful to the relationship between insurer and insured. It perpetuates false percep tions of risk within the companies and reduces the sense of loyalty and responsibility residents have toward the industry. Also, a contributing factor may be targeted marketing by personal injury attorneys.
Insurance is replete with technical language, waivers, exceptions, riders and so forth.
It takes little to convince a wary accident victim that legal expertise is needed to get a fair deal. Under a common contingency fee arrangement, however, an attorney makes little or nothing for settling a property damage claim. The fee becomes significant only upon the inclusion of an injury claim. What portion of this involves urban areas is not documented, but one need only look at the location of billboards advertising legal services to injured parties and the presumption of significant direct marketing to inner city popula tions seemingly follows. Target marketing to a vulnerable urban population and an incentive for attorneys to include an injury component to an accident claim help explain the pattern of claiming.