Commercial insurance rates fell globally for the ninth straight quarter during the third quarter of 2026.
According to the latest Global Insurance Market Index released by Marsh, global commercial insurance rates fell, on average, by 5% in Q3. This followed a 6% decline during the prior quarter.
Marsh said the global marketplace saw strong financial results, favorable reinsurance terms, new market entrants, and expanded capacity from managing general agents. Buyers during the period were generally able to get reduced rates, enhanced coverage terms, higher limits, lower deductibles, and long-term agreements.
Property rates declined by 10%. It was the largest decline of any line of business. Property rates declined 12% in Q2 and 9% during the first three months of 2026, Marsh said.
Meanwhile, global casualty rates increased 1%. The increase in casualty rates was the GIMI’s only uptick, driven by rate increases in the U.S. where litigation and large settlements influenced pricing. Marsh said capacity was increasingly selective, with higher attachments.
“Market conditions remained broadly unchanged, with continued rate pressure across much of the market,” wrote John Donnelly, president of global placement. “A benign U.S. hurricane season contributed to favorable underwriting results, helping sustain capacity and high levels of competition across much of the market.”
While some clients invested the savings to restructure programs, get more insurance limits or broaden coverage, many were “more inclined to retain premium savings” in this uncertain geopolitical climate, said Donnelly.
Marsh observed that early signs of rate stabilization emerged in Q3. Underwriting scrutiny was most seen with catastrophe exposure, US casualty, D&O, and cyber exposures linked to artificial intelligence, vendor dependencies, privacy and ransomware.
Globally, cyber insurance rates declined by 4% to mark the 13th the consecutive quarter of declines. But in the U.S., rates were flat to end a streak of declines.
Was this article valuable?
Here are more articles you may enjoy.
All in the Family: Husband, Wife and Daughter Indicted for Insurance Fraud and Bribery 
AI’s Water Strain Includes Surging Demand From Electricity Use 
Insurers: French Supermarkets’ Cyber Insurance Unlikely to Cover Food Losses 
Harbor Emerges From Stealth with $10M Funding to Handle AI-Agent Risk 
