General Insurance Article - Global insurance pricing up six percent

 Average commercial insurance pricing increased nearly 6% in second quarter 2019, the largest increase since the survey began in 2012, and the seventh consecutive quarter of average pricing increases.

 Globally, on average, pricing for property risks increased 8%; financial and professional lines rose almost 10%; and casualty increased nearly 1%. In general, pricing increases were more pronounced in large accounts, particularly in property and directors and officers liability (D&O).

 Composite pricing in the second quarter increased in all geographic regions for the third consecutive quarter, largely driven by rates in property and D&O coverages.

 The Pacific region had the largest composite pricing increase in the index (18%), a quarterly trend that has continued for two years. Pacific composite pricing was driven by increases in D&O rates (many organizations experienced high double-digit increases), as well as increases in both CAT and non-CAT property.

 The US, UK, and Asia all reported average pricing increases of 3% or higher.

 Commenting on the findings, Dean Klisura, President, Global Placement at Marsh, said: “Global insurance pricing increased 6% in Q2 2019, double the rate observed in Q1. Although global pricing has now increased every quarter for nearly two years, market capacity remains stable in most products and geographies.”

   Global Insurance Market Index