Global Commercial Insurance Pricing Up 22% in Fourth Quarter

Global commercial insurance pricing increased 22% in the fourth quarter of 2020, according to Marsh's quarterly Global Insurance Market Index, a proprietary measure of global commercial insurance premium pricing change at renewal, representing the world's major insurance markets and comprising nearly 90% of Marsh's premium. The increase, the largest since the index was launched in 2012, follows year-on-year average increases of 20% in the third quarter and 19% in the second quarter.

Although the global index increased 22%, the index shows that price increases may be starting to plateau for some lines of insurance in certain geographies. For example, property insurance and directors and officers (D&O) insurance pricing in the US shows signs of moderating increases, and similar trends can be seen in certain property and casualty lines in Continental Europe and Latin America and Caribbean (LAC). Regionally, Continental Europe, Asia, and LAC have now experienced moderate levels of price increases for three quarters.

The average composite price increase in the fourth quarter was driven principally by property insurance rates and financial and professional lines.

Among other findings, the survey noted:

• Global property insurance pricing was up 20% on average, slightly down from the 21% increase experienced in the third quarter. However, global financial and professional lines were up 47% on average, up from a 40% increase the previous quarter. Casualty pricing was up 7% on average, compared to a 6% increase in the prior quarter.
• Composite pricing in the fourth quarter increased in all geographic regions for the ninth consecutive quarter.
• All regions, except Latin America (9%), reported double-digit price increases, led by the UK (44%), Pacific (35%), and the US (17%). The rate of increase in the fourth quarter either declined or remained the same in all regions outside the UK and Pacific.
• Public company D&O coverages continued to see large increases, especially in major markets such as the UK and Australia. Although D&O price increases may be moderating in other regions, prices are still up between 25% and 50% in many countries.