“Tough competition for new business was the name of the game last quarter as carriers chased market share in a still weak economy. Added pressure came from clients putting the squeeze on carriers to get the best terms and rates,” said Council President Ken A. Crerar. “We don’t expect to see pricing turn upward until demand picks up and capacity diminishes.”
Overall, the rates for small, medium and large business accounts declined slightly less than rates in the third quarter, according to charts prepared by Barclays Capital Equity Research using The Council’s survey data.
Brokers across the country reported very aggressive underwriting by carriers. “Risk selection as well as pricing has deteriorated,” reported a broker from the Southeast.
A Northeast broker said carriers are “more flexible on terms and conditions – underwriting appetite expanding.”
Another said, “Terms and pricing are still excellent – competitive marketplace is driving the rate down.”
Brokers in the Midwest saw much of the same. “Carriers more amendable to providing terms and conditions they were reluctant to provide previously to try to maintain rate levels.”
Carriers were competitive on risks in the Pacific Northwest as well. One broker said carriers were using “competitive pricing with available capacity.”
Commercial brokers also reported that carriers’ appetite for new business is strong in the face of weak demand.
“Carriers continue to push for flat renewals but will aggressively push for new business.”
One broker said carriers are “expanding risk and industry appetites to look at more business.”
Another said, “New business is very aggressive. Underwriters are trying to hold the rate on renewals.”
The push for business is cutting into the surplus lines business, a broker noted. “Carriers had a tremendous appetite for premium. Standard markets are snapping up surplus lines type accounts and providing broader terms at cheaper rates.”
Even lines that were tougher to place in the first half of the year are getting more competitive, according to the respondents:
“After flattening for much of the second half of 2009, we saw an uptick in competitive pricing during the last quarter, particularly in the casualty lines.”
“Catastrophe property rates have dropped and terms loosened, significantly.”
“WC [is] still a competitive marketplace. Unfortunately, exposure is down and so are rates, which results in premiums that are a fraction of previous years.”
The survey respondents reported no problem with capacity, which appears to remain at ample levels.
“Too much capacity chasing too little business. There are a number of new entrants into the market who seem to be focusing on market share over underwriting and pricing discipline.”
“No lack of capacity other than occasional poor loss, catastrophic exposures.”
“No significant capacity changes over the past three months.”
And lastly, an overwhelming 74 percent of the brokers responding to the survey said that demand for insurance products did not improve in the fourth quarter.