Why Summer Brings an Increase in Personal Auto Claims
By Tom Gibson
For many drivers, summer feels synonymous with freedom—road trips, long weekends, beach traffic and packed travel schedules. But for independent insurance agents, the season also marks the beginning of one of the busiest and increasingly misunderstood times of year for auto claims.
Most consumers assume summer driving risk is tied to catastrophic highway crashes or severe weather. In reality, many summer claims stem from something far less dramatic: the small, inconvenient, and highly preventable incidents that come with more cars, more congestion and more time spent on the road.
That shift matters for independent insurance agents, because it changes the type of guidance customers need most when heading into peak travel season.
Summer weekends consistently see higher claims activity, rising between 5%-8%, according to Plymouth Rock Assurance claims data. It’s a trend that has become more pronounced in recent years. Since 2023, summer Fridays have seen roughly a 3%-4% increase in claims compared to other Fridays, while summer Sundays spike by more than 9% compared to non-summer Sundays.
What’s interesting is that major accidents make up a smaller portion of auto-related claims during the summer. The biggest increases are coming from things like glass damage and parking lot accidents.
In other words, summer driving isn’t necessarily becoming more dangerous; it’s becoming more disruptive. Here are three insights of how agents can help their clients steer clear of summer driving risks:
1) Nuisance claims rise. Summer creates the perfect environment for smaller, everyday claims to flourish. Roads are more crowded. Construction activity ramps up. Drivers take unfamiliar routes. Parking lots overflow at beaches, shopping centers and entertainment venues, while cars endure longer drives in extreme heat.
All those factors create the kind of driving environment that may not lead to major collisions, but still result in claims, delays and unexpected costs for policyholders. And those smaller incidents are becoming increasingly common during the summer months.
Glass-related claims rise roughly 16% during summer weekends compared to non-summer periods, reinforcing the growing link between seasonal driving risk and construction debris, heavier traffic and the general wear-and-tear of busy summer roads. Road debris contributes to roughly 53,000 crashes annually, according to AAA, many of which are preventable through proper vehicle maintenance and cargo securing.
Take windshield damage, for example. A driver following too closely behind a construction vehicle may only experience a small windshield chip initially, but intense summer temperatures can quickly turn that minor damage into a full crack that requires replacement.
For agents, this creates an opening for proactive education. Summer is an ideal time to remind customers about defensive driving in construction zones, maintaining safe following distances and understanding whether their policy includes glass coverage or deductible waivers. Those conversations can make a major difference in how supported customers feel when they eventually file a claim.
2) Parking lots are an overlooked risk zone. Parking-related accidents increase by over 10% in the summer. Summer destinations naturally create crowded, high-traffic parking environments. Whether it’s beaches, concerts, sporting events, festivals or retail centers, drivers are navigating tight spaces, distracted pedestrians and unfamiliar layouts—often while already frustrated from traffic or travel delays.
The result is a steady rise in low-speed collisions, scrapes and fender benders. These incidents may not generate headlines, but they create real frustration for policyholders and real claims volume for carriers. They also serve as a reminder that many summer losses happen after drivers have “arrived.”
For independent agents, this is a good opportunity to have more practical conversations with customers about everyday summer driving habits, not just major accidents. Reminding drivers to slow down in crowded parking lots, limit distractions and stay patient during busy travel weekends may seem basic, but those small habits can go a long way toward helping drivers avoid preventable claims.
3) Sundays are becoming the riskiest summer day for driving. Perhaps the most interesting trend in the data is the sharp, almost 10%, increase in Sunday claims activity.
Drivers may assume Friday evenings are the riskiest time for summer travel. But recent claims patterns suggest Sundays are emerging as the bigger exposure period, with Fridays only seeing a 3-4% increase in claims.
By Sunday afternoon, roads are filled with returning travelers, fatigued drivers, heavier congestion and people rushing to get home before the workweek begins. It’s a subtle but important shift in driving behavior, and one that agents can use to help drivers think differently about travel timing and road awareness.
Today’s seasonal claims environment is less about catastrophic crashes and more about everyday disruptions that are frequent, costly and often preventable. That gives agents a powerful opportunity to stay visible and relevant through timely, practical outreach.
A quick email about summer travel prep. A reminder to check roadside assistance benefits before a road trip. A social post about construction-zone safety or distracted driving in crowded parking lots. These touchpoints help agents stay connected to customers in ways that feel timely and useful during the busiest travel months of the year.
Tom Gibson is managing director, claims optimization and intelligence, at Plymouth Rock Assurance.
