March 1, 2018

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The following key takeaways are from The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers’ Commercial Property & Casualty Market Report Q4 2017 (October 1 – December 31):

  • The majority of lines experienced flat or slight increases in premium pricing, with the exception of Workers’ Compensation, which saw a 0.2 percent decrease.
  • Across all-sized accounts, average premiums increased for the first time in three years, at 0.3 percent, compared to a 1.3 percent decrease in Q3 2017.
  • By line of business, average premiums for five major commercial property/casualty (P/C) lines increased for the second consecutive quarter, this time by 1.7 percent, compared to 1.0 percent in Q3 2017.
  • According to respondents, demand for Cyber and Flood continued to increase, but to a lesser extent than the previous quarter.
  • Sixty (60) percent of surveyed brokers noted an increase in the number of Commercial Property claims in comparison to Q3 2017.
  • Commercial Auto remained a hot topic among respondents, with premium pricing continuing to increase significantly. Respondents also noted poor loss ratios and a sharp decrease in underwriting capacity.
  • Commercial Property accounts, especially those exposed to recent storms and hurricanes, were heavily scrutinized this quarter, as respondents agreed they experienced an increase in premium pricing, tighter/stricter underwriting, or both.

To see the full Commercial Property/Casualty Market Index Q4 2017click here.

To read the press release, click here.

The Council relies on data from broker members to create this report. To participate in future surveys or for questions/comments, please contact The Council’s Rob Boyce at robert.boyce@ciab.com.