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P&C Rates Remain Flat

The property and casualty insurance market remained flat through the first four months of this year, with many large P&C insurers holding a steady line, as rates, for the most part, have remained unchanged, according to MarketScout.

“We are in the insurance doldrums. There really isn’t even a breeze of significant movement anywhere,” Richard Kerr, CEO of MarketScout said in a statement. “The absence of rate movement could be yet another signal that insurers simply are not going to participate in a price-slashing war as was done in previous market cycles. Low interest rates and better underwriting tools are making insurers cautious.”

By coverage classification, only one line—business interruption—was down from last month at minus 1% versus flat, or zero increase. Workers compensation, directors and officers and EPLI were up from flat to plus 1%, according to the report.

Industry classes balanced out rate movement with contracting adjusting from plus 1% to flat, habitational from plus 1% to plus 2%, and public entity up from flat to plus 1%.

Measured by account size, small accounts (up to $25,000 premium) were up from plus 1% to plus 2%. Large accounts were down from flat to minus 1%. Rates for all other account sizes remained unchanged.

The National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research conducted pricing surveys used in MarketScout’s analysis of market conditions.

Following is a summary of June 2015 rates by coverage, account size  and industry class:

 

U.S. Rates Continue Holding Pattern

Insurance renewals in May showed premiums in the U.S. to be steady except when there were changes in the exposure base, according to MarketWatch. Rates are stable and most commercial accounts are securing renewal terms as they expire.

“A lot of business renewed in May 2015. Overall, rates largely continue in a holding pattern. It seems both insureds and insurers are content to move forward with little to no changes,” Richard Kerr, CEO of MarketScout said in a statement. “The only notable exception is transportation where the auto portion of these accounts is driving an average 2% increase.”

Business Owners Policies (BOP) were up from flat to plus 1% in May as compared to April 2015. EPLI coverage was down from plus 1% to flat, or 0% increase, MatketWatch said. By account size, rates matched April. Jumbo accounts (more than $1 million premium) continue to show the greatest reductions at minus 2%. Small (up to $25,000 premium) and medium ($25,001 to $250,000 premium) accounts were up 1%.

Contracting was the only industry classification to change from April to May 2015. Contracting was up 1%.

MarketScout, an insurance distribution and underwriting company headquartered in Dallas, compiles the Commercial and Personal Lines Market Barometers. The firm owns and operates the MarketScout Exchange at marketscout.com as well as more than 40 other online and traditional underwriting and distribution venues.

The National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research conducted pricing surveys used in MarketScout’s analysis of market conditions.

May 2015 rates by coverage, account size and industry class:

 

 

 

 

P&C Rates Drop 1% in March

The composite rate for property and casualty insurance dropped 1% in March compared to March 2014, indicating a softening market, according to MarketScout.

“March is an important month. There is a considerable volume of U.S. business placed with both the U.S. and international insurers,” noted Richard Kerr, CEO of MarketScout. “While a small change from February, the downward adjustment in rates may be an indicator of what is to come for the next six months.”

By coverage classification, general liability and umbrella/excess liability dropped from up 1% in February to flat or 0% in March. Commercial auto, professional liability, and employment practices liability (EPLI) were also down 1% in February as compared to March. No coverages reflected a rate decrease.

By account size, small accounts (up to $25,000 premium) adjusted downward from up 2% to up 1%. Large accounts ($250,000 to $1,000,000 premium) were flat as compared to up 1% in February. The rates for all other accounts were unchanged.

Industry classifications all remained the same as in February, except for contracting and transportation, which were up 1%t in March, compared to up 2% in February. Habitational was flat or up 0% in March, compared to up 1% in February.

Summary of the March 2015 rates by coverage, industry class and account size:

By Coverage Class
Commercial Property Up 1%
Business Interruption Up 0%
BOP Up 1%
Inland Marine Up 0%
General Liability Up 0%
Umbrella/Excess Up 0%
Commercial Auto Up 1%
Workers’ Compensation Up 0%
Professional Liability Up 1%
D&O Liability Up 1%
EPLI Up 1%
Fiduciary Up 0%
Crime Up 0%
Surety Up 0%