While most lines of insurance are showing signs of price declines, property risks are dealing with two extremes depending on geographic location and insurer appetite, a Marsh executive said.

Speaking during Marsh's Webcast today, "Property-Casualty Insurance--Market Update--Third Quarter 2006," Jill Dalton, managing director in Marsh's North America property practice, called today's commercial property market "bifurcated."

She said catastrophe risks are seeing increased deductibles, reduced limits, higher pricing and covered restrictions. The experience is worst for clients in hurricane-prone areas, but those in earthquake-prone areas are "catching up," Ms. Dalton reported.

On the other hand, those with little or no catastrophe exposures are enjoying intense competition, experiencing rate variables between 10 percent reduction and 10 percent increase. Clients with 10-to-50 percent of their property value in catastrophe-prone areas can expect rate increases between 20- and 50 percent.

Those with catastrophe exposures of more than 50 percent of their property value experienced rate increases of more than 50 percent, going as high as 100 percent.

Policyholders in the catastrophe areas are also getting hit with increased deductibles, reduced limits and gaps in coverage.

To illustrate the dramatic changes in property rates, Ms. Dalton said that a year ago 87 percent of Marsh clients received rate reductions compared with 16 percent as of June 1.

Capacity continues to shrink as reinsurance capacity decreases. New models are leading to higher loss estimates. Added to pricing pressures, rating agencies are putting insurers under greater scrutiny to ensure they have the capital backing for potential catastrophe losses.

Adding to the pressures are concerns over terrorism, as insurers are writing exclusions into policies when the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act sunsets in December of 2007. There is growing concern in certain areas over this risk, especially Midtown Manhattan and Toronto, Canada.

Trends point to the property climate remaining difficult through the end of the year, she said, only to become worse should predictions of increased hurricane activity come to pass.

Some clients with international property risks might consider breaking their plans up and insuring those properties overseas, Ms. Dalton noted. European-only risks, along with parts of Asia and China are competitive, but European companies with holdings in the United States in catastrophe areas are experiencing the same difficulties as U.S. companies.

Hurricane Wilma has affected Mexico, with risks there witnessing some restrictions.

A complete replay of the event is available at www.marsh.com under risk reports.

Special Reports /

Marsh: Property Viewed As A 'Bifurcated' Market

Related Stories

Recommended For You