MarketScout: Soft Market Persists, Rates in June Down 3%

Just ahead of midyear reinsurance treaty renewals, MarketScout's June 2010 composite Property and Casualty rate index measured down three percent as compared to the same time one year ago.

Source: Source: MarketScout | Published on August 6, 2010

Richard Kerr, Founder and CEO of MarketScout, said "The two largest market segments, commercial property and general liability, reflected market decreases of four percent. Other lines of coverages either remained at the same level as in May or moved one percentage point up or down. Crime coverages actually increased one percent, perhaps because of increased losses which may have developed throughout the economic downturn."

"Halfway through 2010, it appears the U.S. property and casualty market is stuck in a moderating but continuing soft market." Kerr continued, "A good measurement of market position for the balance of this year will be the composite rate for July, as it is the second largest renewal month each year."

The National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research conducted pricing surveys used in MarketScout's analysis of market conditions. These surveys help to further corroborate MarketScout's actual findings, which are mathematically driven by new and renewal placements across the United States.