NEWS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Brianne Mallaghan
Director of Communications
202-662-4303
brianne.mallaghan@ciab.com
COMMERCIAL P/C MARKET PRICING SHOWED MODEST INCREASES IN SECOND QUARTER,
ACCORDING TO THE COUNCIL OF INSURANCE AGENTS & BROKERS’ P/C MARKET INDEX SURVEY
WASHINGTON, D.C. – July 28, 2011 – U.S. commercial property/casualty market pricing showed modest increases in the second quarter of this year, compared with the first quarter, according to The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers’ Commercial P/C Market Index Survey. Nearly half of the brokers responding to the survey saw “no change” or a “1%-10%” price increase in small, middle and large accounts across the country.
“When you look at the trend line over the past year, pricing has steadily inched upwards,” said Ken A. Crerar, president of The Council. “It isn’t increasing by leaps and bounds, but there appears to be some momentum.”
On average, prices remained stable this quarter with negligible declines, compared with an average 2.9 percent decline for all accounts reported from the first quarter. The Council has been tracking commercial property/casualty rates since 1999. The survey represents a cross-section of commercial insurance brokers across the country.
The brokers noted that carriers were getting tougher on terms and conditions and asking for more information on client risks. This trend was evident in the first quarter, as well, as carriers traded-off price increases for narrower terms and conditions.
“They [carriers] are reviewing and asking for more underwriting information, but the rates are still competitive,” a broker from the Southwest said. Another in the Northeast remarked, “More underwriting scrutiny; requesting more information about risks and loss control measures.”
Commercial property and workers’ compensation were the only two lines showing average increases. “Workers’ compensation remains the most volatile line of business,” according to a broker from the Midwest. A broker from the Southeast noted, “Workers’ compensation is receiving the most upward rate pressure along with coastal (CAT) wind property exposure.”
A few brokers commented on the impact the new CAT modeling program for property, RMS 11, is having on underwriting decisions. “Markets [are] reviewing the impact of RMS11 and some accounts have seen significant impact,” said one respondent. “Rate increases on wind driven CAT business [are] due to RMS version 11, and higher wind deductibles in critical CAT wind areas.”
According to survey responses, more brokers felt demand for insurance products had actually declined over the last quarter --– perhaps a reflection of the slow pace of the economic recovery. Excess capacity and competition remain as the brokers’ top market concerns, while the top political worry is the economy.
Click here for full survey results.
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The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers is the premier association for the top national, regional and international commercial brokerage firms and agencies in the United States and around the world. Member firms have offices in more than 3,000 locations across 100 countries. Council members place more than $200 billion in commercial property/casualty and employee benefits premiums worldwide. More than 16 percent of the membership is comprised of firms headquartered outside the United States. Founded in 1913, The Council is based in Washington, D.C.