Marsh Says Workers’ Comp Rates Fell 1.1% on Average in Q3

Workers’ compensation rates decreased an average of 1.1 percent and a median of 1.5 percent at renewal during the third quarter, according to Marsh. The New York-headquartered brokerage firm released the data on Oct. 20.

In a report titled “Benchmarking Trends—U.S. Casualty Remains Stable During Third Quarter 2011,” Marsh said the latest workers’ comp numbers represent a moderating of rate decreases, which averaged up to 3 percentage points higher in the first half of 2011.

Overall, the workers’ comp market remains stable for good quality risks, Marsh observed. The broker said it continues to monitor the marketplace very closely, as a number of issues—including deteriorating combined ratio trends, escalating medical costs, and legislative concerns—may accelerate a change in the market.

Marsh also offered observations in several other segments. The broker commented median auto liability renewal rates remained flat throughout the first three quarters of 2011. Preliminary data for the fourth quarter to date shows the trend continuing, with rates at or near flat at renewal.

Pricing for auto liability has remained relatively stable for the last seven quarters, ranging within plus or minus 5 percent.

Clients with heavy auto exposures and/or poor loss histories can expect to see rates renew at the high end of the range and/or possible changes to program structure. Increasingly, carriers are requiring insureds to provide more underwriting data than in the past; therefore, clients are encouraged to start the renewal process early in order to manage potential changes.

Regarding general liability rates. the broker said premium renewal rates fell at a median rate of 1.8 percent in the third quarter.

Pricing for general liability programs remains consistent with modest decreases available for some insureds at renewal, Marsh said. As with auto liability and other product lines, the actual premium rate charged at renewal is based on a number of factors, including the company’s loss history and exposures.

Median rate decreases have moderated somewhat since the fourth quarter of 2010. The general liability insurance market remains flexible, the broker said, and there remains a fair amount of competition among insurers for quality risks. For the remainder of the year, insureds with favorable loss experience are likely to experience flat to modest decreases at renewal. Clients with difficult loss histories or complex exposures may see greater rate changes at renewal and/or potential changes in program structure.

On umbrella/excess, Marsh said rates remained flat in the third quarter(dominated by mostly July 1 renewals). The median change was zero and the average rate increase was 0.7 percent.

Median rates have remained flat dating back to the fourth quarter of 2010: Prior to this flattening of the market, moderate rate decreases were the norm. The data points to increasing pressures in the market.

Some of the moderation of umbrella/excess rates can be attributed to insurers seeking single digit rate increases, especially for certain tougher industry classes. Additionally, insureds’ exposures are increasing, in part due to rebounding economic conditions. Yet abundant capacity still exists, especially in the mid-excess layers, moderating any wholesale dramatic premium increase in excess liability programs.

Marsh said insureds for umbrella/excess should anticipate a transitioning market for the remainder of 2011, with continuing single digit rate increases offsetting robust competition in less hazardous leads and in the mid-excess layers. In terms of supply and demand, there exists significant supply to meet insureds’ needs.

Source: Marsh & McLennan Companies

Topics Agencies Workers' Compensation Excess Surplus Pricing Trends