Global Insurance Market Continued Firming in Q3: Marsh Index
Global Insurance Market Continued Firming in Q3: Marsh Index
Renewal Rates Point to Market Stabilization in Absence of Major Losses
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Global insurance prices continued to rise in the third quarter of 2012, continuing the slow but steady trend that began in the second half of 2011. According to the Marsh Risk Management Global Insurance Index, a composite of changes in insurance costs over a rolling 12-month period, prices across major lines of insurance increased by 0.9% in the third quarter.
By contrast, rates at renewal on average increased by 1.4% in the third quarter, the same level of increase at renewal seen in the second quarter. The figures, published in Marsh's Global Insurance Market Quarterly Briefing, suggest that renewal rate changes, although varying across lines of business, may be stabilizing.
Andrew Chester, CEO of Bowring Marsh, commented: "While the global insurance market continues to be in a state of clear transition, the results for individual insureds vary significantly. With capacity and appetite for well-managed risk still strong, insureds are still able to achieve favorable results on renewal in many lines of business."
Certain major lines of business saw hardening with financial and professional insurance rates rising by an average of 1.9% on renewal as the firming trend begun last year continued. Financial institutions in every major Eurozone country typically experienced increases in liability insurance rates as insurers tightened conditions.
Property insurance rates stabilized as a lack of major losses from natural catastrophes so far this year kept increases to an average of 1.2% on renewal. Insureds with clean loss histories were more likely to experience flat renewals. Barring a significant natural catastrophe event, this trend is expected to continue, with flat renewals becoming more common by the end of the year. Casualty insurance rates globally rose on average by 1.2% on renewal in the quarter, higher than the 0.8% increase seen last quarter.
Data on the US market showed that for the second quarter in a row, US companies were more likely to experience rate increases than decreases in major lines of insurance.
About Marsh
Marsh, a global leader in insurance broking and risk management, teams with its clients to define, design, and deliver innovative industry-specific solutions that help them protect their future and thrive. It has approximately 26,000 colleagues who collaborate to provide advice and transactional capabilities to clients in over 100 countries. Marsh is a wholly owned subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYS: MMC) , a global team of professional services companies offering clients advice and solutions in the areas of risk, strategy and human capital. With 53,000 employees worldwide and annual revenue exceeding $11 billion, Marsh & McLennan Companies is also the parent company of Guy Carpenter, a global leader in providing risk and reinsurance intermediary services; Mercer, a global leader in human resource consulting and related services; and Oliver Wyman, a global leader in management consulting. Follow Marsh on Twitter @Marsh_Inc.
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