The rate index for the commercial property and casualty market in the U.S. was down 2% in October. Commercial auto, crime, and business owners’ policies (BOP) were the only coverage classifications showing an increase in rates at plus 1%.
All other coverages were either flat or down 1 to 2%, according to MarketScout.
Richard Kerr, MarketScout CEO said in a statement, “Insurers are hungry for premium and capital providers are searching for ways to get in on the action. The obvious result is more competition resulting in rate reductions.”
Medium sized ($25,001 to $250,000) and jumbo (over $1,000,000) accounts saw the most competitive pricing with rates down 2%. In September, jumbo accounts were down 4%—a notable adjustment over the past two months for jumbo accounts.
All other account sizes were down 1%.
Pricing by industry classifications showed that habitational and energy business were priced the most aggressively, down 2%. All other industries were either flat or down 1%.
October 2015 rates by coverage, industry class and account size: