Hard Market Remains Elusive for Commercial P/C Business

Rates on average declined six percent during the third quarter of the year compared with five percent in the second quarter, according to The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers' quarterly Commercial P/C Market Index Survey.

Source: Source: CIAB | Published on October 30, 2009

'Suppressed demand and appetite for business continued to drive competitive pricing in the market during the third quarter," Council President Ken A. Crerar said. "It was still very much a buyer’s market as carriers chased market share. A significant upward turn in pricing remains elusive for the foreseeable future."

Overall, rates for small, medium and large accounts decreased in the third quarter compared with rate decreases in the second quarter.

Brokers across the country reported soft market conditions. A broker from the Midwest said that “broader terms [were] available in addition to lower premiums. No change in available limits.”

Another broker found it easy to place business in the third quarter. “[I] can place anything currently.”

Despite competitive pressures, some carriers pushed for rate increases.

According to a broker from the Southwest, “Underwriters are trying to get slight rate increases, but in the end are taking slight decreases in order to get or keep the business.”

A broker from the Southeast said, “[Carriers] are trying to gain market share on new business and starting to push back rate decreases on renewals.”

The brokers surveyed noted two exceptions in pricing – the catastrophe market, particularly for coastal properties, and D&O for financial institutions.

“Underwriting? What’s that? Other than cat exposures or financial institutions,” a broker from the Southeast commented.

A broker from the Pacific Northwest said, “D&O limits are harder to get and rates are firming.”

“Property cat market is in a state of fragile stability,” a Northeast broker noted.

Meanwhile, the soft pricing continued to take its toll on the surplus lines market. “Standard underwriters continue to expand appetite and take business out of the E&S marketplace.”

The brokers also reported that they still were not seeing any improvement in their business from the recovering economy. The economy and health insurance reform remain brokers’ top concerns.