How People Are Reacting to Uncertainty
The war in Iran has led to sharp increases in gas prices, with prices surging 4% in a month.[1] At the same time, tariffs on auto parts and general inflation are contributing to a rise in insurance costs.[2]
Overall, economic uncertainty and rising global tensions are reshaping how consumers think about their insurance—but not always in the ways you might expect.
The Zebra recently conducted surveys asking consumers how current events are impacting their insurance choices and plans to make larger purchases.
The results present a nuanced picture: while some Americans are actively reevaluating their coverage, many are holding steady, even as broader financial pressures influence related behaviors like driving and buying new homes or cars.
A Cautious Approach to Coverage
Insurance costs are rising, and current events can have a big impact on how much you pay for insurance. Inflation and supply chain issues can increase the cost of car parts and home repair, for example.
However, how consumers are responding to recent uncertainty is a mixed bag. When asked whether economic or global concerns are prompting changes to their insurance policies, nearly half of respondents (46%) said they are not considering any changes right now. Still, that leaves a little over half of consumers who are taking a closer look:
This suggests that while large-scale shifts in coverage aren’t yet the norm, awareness is rising. Consumers may not be making immediate changes, but they’re increasingly auditing their policies—likely looking for savings, gaps or unnecessary add-ons.
Rising Costs Are Changing Behavior
Economic pressure is also clearly showing up in consumers’ day-to-day behavior. We asked people what changes they’re making in how often they drive lately. Nearly half of respondents (49.73%) say they are driving less due to rising fuel costs. Another 29.05% report no change, while smaller segments are considering longer-term adjustments like switching to an EV or hybrid (13.83%) or making changes to their auto insurance (7.40%).
This gap is telling. Consumers are quicker to adjust their behavior than their financial products. Driving less is an immediate, tangible way to save money. Changing insurance requires more effort and carries perceived risk.
Still, this behavioral shift could have downstream effects. Reduced mileage may eventually lead more drivers to explore usage-based insurance or request policy adjustments. If high gas prices persist, we also might see greater adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles.
The Majority Are Not Delaying Major Purchases
Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions, including conflict in Iran, most consumers say it hasn’t altered their major financial plans. A majority (56.75%) report that it hasn’t changed their intentions around big purchases like homes, cars or insurance policies.
That said, there are signs of caution. Approximately 25% of respondents said current events have delayed their decision to buy a car. Another 15% are considering putting off renovations to their current home or plans for buying a new home. A small minority of people are considering not getting insurance coverage.
Rather than triggering direct changes to insurance coverage, global events appear to be influencing the broader financial ecosystem. A little less than half of people are delaying purchases that would typically require new or updated policies.
Consumers Understand Cost Pressures and Place Blame Carefully
Our data sheds light on how consumers perceive insurance pricing. A majority (57.72%) believe their driving history is the biggest factor affecting premiums, followed by inflation (22.49%) and insurance company profits (10.12%). Far fewer point to external forces, like extreme weather (5.33%) or tariffs (2.62%).
However, when asked specifically about tariffs and rising repair costs, 67.15% believe those costs are ultimately passed on to consumers through higher premiums. This indicates a growing awareness of macroeconomic influences—even if they aren’t seen as primary drivers.
Notably, awareness of the tariff-insurance connection is relatively high: 57.27% say they already knew that imported-car-part tariffs could affect auto insurance rates.
What Current Events Mean for the Insurance Landscape
Taken together, the data points to a consumer who is alert but not alarmed. People are feeling the pressure of rising costs and global uncertainty, but they’re responding selectively:
- 50% of people are driving less as one response to rising gas prices.
- 44% have delayed financial decisions due to uncertainty about the current economic climate or global instability.
- 54% of people are reviewing insurance policies, but that doesn’t mean they’ll make changes.
As economic conditions continue to evolve, the gap between awareness and action may narrow. If cost pressures persist—or spike further—today’s policy reviews could turn into tomorrow’s coverage changes.
Methodology
The surveys above were conducted as part of a monthly user survey through the Marble App in March and April and had a total of 1107 respondents.