Global commercial insurance prices increased 18% in the first quarter of 2021, according to a report issued by Marsh. It represents the slowest rate of increase since rates hardened in the fourth quarter of 2017 and comes on the back of year-on-year average increases of 22% in the fourth quarter and 20% in the third quarter of 2020.
The data comes from the latest Marsh 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. According to the index, increases across geographies moderated due to generally slower rate rises in property insurance and financial and professional lines.
The UK, with a composite pricing increase of 35% (down from 44% in fourth quarter 2020) and the Pacific region, with a 29% increase (down from 35% in fourth quarter 2020) drove the global composite rate. The rate of increase in the US was 14% (down from 17%), in Pacific 29% (down from 35%), in Asia 8% (down from 11%), and in Latin America and the Caribbean 5% (down from 9%). M