Global Commercial Insurance Rates Up 19% on COVID-19, Other Large Losses: Marsh

Global average commercial insurance prices increased 19% in the second quarter of 2020, according to the latest Global Insurance Market Index released by broker and risk adviser Marsh.

The increase, the largest since the Marsh index was launched in 2012, follows year-over-year average increases of 14% in the first quarter and 11% in the fourth quarter of 2019.

As with the first quarter, average price increases were driven principally by increases in property insurance rates and financial and professional lines.

Among other findings, the survey found:

• Global property insurance was up 19% and global financial and professional lines were up 37%, while global casualty pricing was up 7% on average.
• Composite pricing in the second quarter increased in all geographic regions for the seventh consecutive quarter.
• The U.S. (18%), UK (31%), Continental Europe (15%), and Pacific (31%) regions all had double-digit pricing increases. Price increases in these regions were largely driven by increases in property and directors and officers (D&O) coverages.
• Certain D&O markets saw large increases. For example, U.S. public company D&O prices were up 59% on average, with more than 90% of clients experiencing an increase. In the UK, D&O pricing increases average over 100%. A similar situation exists in Australia, where a lack of competition has resulted in capacity shortage.

“While pricing movements this quarter were impacted by losses related to COVID-19, other large losses contributed to overall pricing pressures,” commented Dean Klisura, president, Global Placement and Advisory at Marsh.

“As insurers continue to work through claims in property and D&O, and with the full cost of COVID-19 still developing, upward pressure on pricing is anticipated for the balance of 2020,” Klisura added.

Source: Marsh

Topics Trends Profit Loss Commercial Lines Business Insurance Pricing Trends COVID-19