Commercial insurance rates up in Q4
The commercial insurance market continues to have "ample capacity," expert says
Commercial insurance rates up in Q4
INSURANCE NEWS
By Ryan Smith
07 Jan 2019

Commercial insurance rates were up in the fourth quarter of 2018, according to a new report by insurance distribution and underwriting company MarketScout.

The US commercial insurance composite rate averaged an increase of 2% in the fourth quarter, matching the composite rate for the entire year, according to MarketScout. Transportation and commercial auto led rate increases in Q4, with hikes of 6% and 7%, respectively. Workers’ compensation, meanwhile, posted a rate decrease of 1.5%.

“Ample capacity remains in the commercial insurance market,” said Richard Kerr, CEO of MarketScout. “Rates for all coverage classifications other than workers’ compensation are increasing at a controlled, slow pace. Only transportation and commercial auto exposures are suffering large rate increases.”

Below is a summary of fourth-quarter rates by coverage, industry class and account size:

By coverage class:

  • Commercial property: +2.5%
  • Business interruption: +3%
  • BOP: +2%
  • Inland marine: +1%
  • General liability: +2%
  • Umbrella/excess: +2%
  • Commercial auto: +7%
  • Workers’ compensation: -1.5%
  • Professional liability: +1.5%
  • D&O liability: +1.5%
  • EPLI: +2%
  • Fiduciary: +1%
  • Crime: +1%
  • Surety: +1%

By account size:

  • Small (up to $25,000): +2.5%
  • Medium ($25,001-$250,000): +1.5%
  • Large ($250,001-$1 million): +2.5%
  • Jumbo (over $1 million): +2%

By industry class:

  • Manufacturing: +2%
  • Contracting: +2.5%
  • Service: +2.5%
  • Habitational: +3%
  • Public entity: +2.5%
  • Transportation: +6%
  • Energy: +1.5%

 

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