Explainer
Accident exposure vs. crash severity: why both matter
Accident exposure captures how often crashes are likely to occur. Crash severity captures how costly those crashes tend to be. Both shape insurance loss pressure and vary by state.
What exposure and severity mean
Exposure reflects crash frequency driven by traffic density and driving patterns. Severity reflects the damage and injury profile when crashes occur. AutoRiskIQ evaluates both as separate signals.
How to interpret the signal
- Higher exposure increases the likelihood of claims relative to national norms.
- Higher severity increases loss pressure even if crash frequency is lower.
- It is informational only and is not legal or financial advice.
Primary drivers
What changes exposure and severity
Public signal overview
Traffic exposure
Higher vehicle miles traveled and congestion raise collision frequency.
Roadway context
Speed limits, roadway design, and intersection density affect crash risk.
Vehicle mix
Heavier vehicles and different safety profiles influence crash outcomes.
Severity patterns
Some areas see fewer crashes but higher injury or damage severity.
Sources and methodology
AutoRiskIQ uses public, regulator-grade inputs and normalizes them for fair comparison. See the accident exposure data landscape and the core methodology for details.