A Hard Market in Real Distress, The Council's Second Quarter 2002 Rate Survey
Shows
August 2002
The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers recently released its second quarter
2002 Commercial Insurance Market Index, which showed rates up, capacity down,
and growing use of alternative risk management mechanisms.
by The Council of Insurance
Agents & Brokers
Washington, D.C.
Prices Increase, Capacity Shrinks and Business Flows to Alternative Markets
The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers recently released its second quarter
Commercial Insurance Market Index, documenting the deep and deepening distress
of the commercial insurance market. In the data for the period April-June 2002,
which includes July 1 renewals, The Council's members reported rates up, capacity
down, and growing use of alternative risk management mechanisms.
"Absent definitive action on the federal terrorism backstop, there is no
relief in sight on either the supply or demand side of the market," said Ken
A. Crerar, The Council's president. "Our members report commercial insurance
rates show no signs of peaking. Closing the third business quarter since September
11 terrorist attacks—and seismic aftershocks of record-shattering natural catastrophes
and corporate scandals—consumers, carriers and brokers alike are clearly on
the cutting edge of pain now spreading to all segments of the U.S. economy."
Among major findings:
- Terrorism coverage is scarce, and particularly hard for property, general
liability and umbrella coverages. More than 80 percent of broker respondents
say the number of policies renewed with terrorism exclusions grew between
the first and second quarters this year. "Virtually everyone excludes terrorism,"
said a broker from the Northeast.
- Small, medium, and large commercial accounts throughout the United States
continue to experience rate increases from 10 percent to 50 percent, with
the largest increases (20 percent to 50 percent) hitting medium and large
accounts. "All accounts are being re-underwritten. (But) terms and conditions
are being restricted. Property capacity has been reduced," a broker from
the Pacific Northwest commented.
- Carriers continue to tighten terms and conditions with much tighter
underwriting. Broker respondents report much higher deductibles, more coverage
exclusions and "fewer things to negotiate." The trend is apparent across
the market, with 96 percent of broker respondents reporting mold exclusions
added to property and construction renewals, and 71 percent saying pollution
exclusions are added at renewal.
Though nearly all individual lines surveyed saw noteworthy increases in the
20 percent to 50 percent range, umbrella and medical malpractice insurance have
spiked, with most brokers reporting increases of 30 percent to 100 percent or
more. Moreover, coverage problems are not limited to any one region of the country.
- "Umbrella pricing is up 100 percent and most carriers have only half
the capacity they had last year." (Northeast region)
- "Umbrella markets have doubled and tripled renewal prices - pointing
to reinsurance terms as the driver." (Southeast region)
- "Umbrella [market] has gone wild!" (Southwest region)
One broker described "a near crisis" in the medical malpractice area on a
primary and excess basis. "Those carriers who are willing to write excess want
to attach at $5 million or higher." Brokers also report physicians forced to
join assigned risk pools or go without coverage. "The JUAs (Joint Underwriting
Associations) have become the market of only resort!" a broker from the Northeast
said.
Distresses are spread among all commercial lines. The D&O market is buffeted
by the Enron and WorldCom accounting scandals. Property blanket limits are not
available on most large real estate schedules. Though property capacity is a
generalized problem across the market, it is particularly restricted in coastal
areas subject to catastrophic risks, which, brokers report, are subject to tight
and tightening underwriting scrutiny.
A significant number of brokers surveyed reported some carriers have suspended
writing new business entirely, while others are rejecting accounts that are
not "squeaky clean." "Any account that is not renewed is finding it tough to
get anyone interested in quoting," one Midwest broker stated.
Unquestionably, the tight primary market has forced more business to turn
to the alternative market, where there are fewer regulatory restrictions on
exclusions and policy terms and conditions. Overwhelmingly, 97 percent of surveyed
brokers reported they used the excess and surplus lines market most often as
an alternative for traditional coverages, and 20 percent reported use of captives.
And how are consumers fairing amid a market in such distress? Brokers reported
customers responding to price and capacity issues most often by lowering limits,
dropping some coverages, raising deductibles and looking at alternative risk
management mechanisms.
Brokers said "terrorism legislation" and "investment conditions" are the
two major factors that most affect stability in the longer-term insurance market.
Most brokers said they prefer to "wait and see" rather than predict what lies
ahead.
"The market is rough," said Ken Crerar. "Not surprisingly, our members see
increasing consumer frustration. Many industry consumers had hoped the market
would settle down by the July 1 renewal period. But our survey proves categorically
that did not happen. And, I don't know anyone in the brokerage or carrier leadership
who doesn't understand the pain consumers feel and the very real challenges
they face."
Mr. Crerar continued, "Our industry has honored its commitments from September
11. As the industry has fought mightily to regroup, it has been buffeted by
corporate accountability scandals and natural catastrophes. There's no question
that House and Senate passage of the federal terrorism backstop legislation—now
working its way to conference—provides some hope. The Council joins other insurance
advocates in urging federal policymakers to have a bill signed into law by the
president in time to help buyers in the final two quarters of the year. It's
good we have made it this far this fast. Then again, with economic fallout so
clear and widespread, it's frustrating it is taking Congress so long to act."
Since 1913, The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers has
provided industry leadership while representing the largest, most productive
and most profitable commercial insurance agencies and brokerage firms in the
United States, and around the globe. Council members in over 3,000 locations,
place nearly 80 percent—well over $90 billion—of the U.S. commercial property/casualty
premiums. In addition, Council members specialize in a wide range of insurance
products and risk management services for business, industry, government and
the public. Council members, who operate nationally and internationally, also
administer billions of dollars in employee benefits. Web site:www.ciab.com.
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