Global Insurance Rates Consistently Lower in Second Quarter 2015

Commercial insurance rates decreased across the globe in most lines of business in the second quarter of 2015, according to our August 2015 Global Insurance Market Quarterly Briefing. Competitive market conditions – characterised by an abundance of global capacity and a lack of large insured loss activity resulting in reported underwriting results with favourable combined ratios – helped account for the ninth consecutive quarter of rate decreases.

Decreases were seen across regions and in most major lines of business. Notable exceptions were seen in specialised coverages, led by a firming cyber insurance market.

According to the report:

• Asia-Pacific experienced the largest composite rate decrease, followed by the UK, Continental Europe, Latin America, and the US.
• Demand for transactional risk insurance continued to grow in the first half of 2015, with an overall increase of 15% year-on-year in terms of limits placed by Marsh.
• Surplus levels typically remained at or near record levels during the second quarter.
• Historically low levels of natural catastrophe losses globally are helping remove near-term catalysts for increased rates.

The report also examines components of the insurance pricing environment: capital committed to the market, insurer profitability, insurer pricing methodologies, and global-impact losses.