Liberty Mutual profits hit by auto

Distracted driving is leading to more serious accidents, which is squeezing revenue

Liberty Mutual profits hit by auto

Insurance News

By Allie Sanchez

Car accidents made a serious dent in Boston insurer Liberty Mutual’s fourth quarter profits as more claims led to higher losses.

In the last three months of 2016, profits dipped 65% to $143 million compared with the same period in 2015 which was pegged at $411 million, according to the company.

However, annual performance remained robust as it booked more than $1 billion in margins, which is nearly double the value recorded in 2015, the Boston Globe said in a report.

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Liberty Mutual chief executive David Long said in the report that distracted driving is a major culprit, as well as the increased number of motorists taking to the roads due to a strong economy, and prohibitively priced safety technology installed in cars.

To cope with increasing costs, Long said that the company has been imposing increases of between 4% and 9% on rates as individuals and businesses renew their policies.


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