Property and Casualty rates in the United States were up 2.5% on average in the second quarter of 2018, with continued tough conditions for trucking and auto, MarketScout reports.

“Insurers seem to have a longer memory these days. It’s hard to find a commercial insurer who hasn’t suffered from a book of auto/trucking risks in the past 10 years,” Richard Kerr, MarketScout chief executive officer said in a statement. He noted that  previous bad experiences and challenges have meant that fewer insurers are willing to write auto or trucking risks. “The demand is exceeding the supply so rates continue to trend upward,” he said.

Compared to the first quarter of 2018, property, auto, directors & officers and employment practices liability rates saw increases. Business Interruption and general liability rates moderated. Workers compensation rates dropped from minus 2% to minus 3%. All other coverage classifications held steady.
Transportation risks saw a notable rate increase, up 6% in the second quarter of 2018 compared to up 4% in the first quarter. Habitation, service, contracting and manufacturing risks saw a slight rate increase from the first quarter of 2018 to the second. All other industry groups remained unchanged, MarketScout said.
Small accounts saw a slight rate increase while all other accounts were unchanged from the first to the second quarter of 2018, according to MarketScout.