According to the MarketScout insuranceexchange, the U.S. composite rate for all property andcasualty lines across all states was flat in March after a slightincrease of 1% in Feburary 2015. Personal insurance rates heldsteady at plus 2%.

A softening market

By coverage classification, general liability andumbrella/excess liability were down from up 1% in February to flator 0% in March. Commercial auto, professional liability, and EPLIwere also down 1% in February as compared to March.

Industry classifications all remained the same as in February,except for contracting and transportation, which were up 1% inMarch as compared to up 2% in February. Habitational—coverage forowners of condos, apartment buildings and other multi-unitdwellings—was flat or up 0% in March as compared to up 1% inFebruary.

According to Richard Kerr, CEO of MarketScout, the downwardadjustment in rates may be an indicator of what's to come for thenext six months.

Here are the March 2015 composite raw numbers fromMarketScout:

Keep reading to learn more about the rates in the U.S. personallines market.

(Photo: Shutterstock)

Personal insurance rates steady

The composite rate for personal insurance products purchased inthe U.S. was up 2% in the first quarter of 2015. The March ratesmatched January and February with each month holding steady at plus2%.

By lines of coverage, insureds purchasinghomeowners coverage paid an average of 2% more in March 2015as compared to March 2014. Automobile owners also paid an averageadditional 2% of premium. Buyers of personal articles floaters paida premium that averaged 1% higher than at the same time last year.

Following is a summary of the March 2015 personal linesrates: