Like July, the composite rate for the commercial P&C marketis plus 4 percent, according to MarketScout's Market Barometer.

“With no wind, no quake and no big cat exposures looming,insurers are happy to sit tight and hold the status quo,” saysRichard Kerr, MarketScout CEO. “August is often a slow month withfew significant renewals so it is not unusual to see a staticmarket.”

Similarly, the composite rate for U.S. personal lines remainedsteady from July, at plus-3 percent, says the Dallas-basedinsurance exchange.

And just like the commercial market, August is typical slowmonth for personal lines insurers. Kerr says few policies are setto renew in August.

Homes under $1 million in value were up 4 percent in August.Homes over $1 were up 3 percent, according to the pricing surveysused in MarketScout analysis of the markets.

By coverage class, there was some upward movement in somecommercial lines.

Business owners' policies went to plus-5 percent in August fromplus-4 percent in July. General liability coverage went up 6percent in August from 5 percent in July.

However, rates were down 1 percent compared to July for inlandmarine, commercial auto, D&O and surety.

By industry class, rates in contracting, service andhabitational remained steady. Manufacturing was up 5 percent from 4percent in July. Energy was up 4 percent in August from 3 percentin July.