P/C Rates Maintain Downward Trend in August

MarketScout's latest barometer report indicates that commercial property/casualty insurance rates dropped an average of 4% in August compared with the same period last year.

Source: Source: Business Insurance | Published on September 8, 2010

The Dallas-based electronic insurance exchange said Tuesday that general liability insurance experienced the largest rate decrease at 6%, with crime, fiduciary and professional liability coverages having the smallest decrease at 1%.

MarketScout CEO Richard Kerr said in a statement announcing the August results,"Beginning in August of 2009, the composite P/C rate has been drifting between minus 5% and minus 3%, a very narrow range as compared to the wide swings during the last several years.

"August rates are down more than they were in July; however, the volume of business placed in August is considerably smaller than in most other months. No doubt, rate reductions continue, but over the last year, the degree of reductions has definitely moderated,” Mr. Kerr said.