The latest surveys of rate changes for the group medical and the property and casualty insurance markets reveal a tale of two very different markets–with medical rates continuing to climb and p&c prices still falling.

While rates for renewing group medical benefit accounts continued to increase in the U.S. market between June and October, brokers reported that clients were not planning to cut coverage altogether, according to a November survey of insurance brokers published by the Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers.

Separately, Dallas-based MarketScout reported that rates for U.S. property and casualty commercial insurance policies were down an average of 5 percent during November, a slight decrease from the last several months, which saw declines of 4 percent.

On the employee benefits side, CIAB's “Employee Benefits Market Survey” asked benefit brokers what the average rate of increase in premiums on renewal was for group medical and group life compared to the last survey in May.

The vast majority of benefits consultant respondents indicated increases from the spring. Eighty-nine percent said prices increased for small accounts–those with 50 or fewer employees–with more than half the increases falling in the 11-20 percent range.

For medium accounts–those with 51 to 500 employees–95 percent said those accounts experienced increases, with 60 percent seeing increases in the range of 11-20 percent.

Group health premium hikes also were reported among large accounts–those with 501 or more employees. Sixty-one percent saw increases in the 6-15 percent range, with 31 percent in the 6-10 percent range and 30 percent in the 11-15 percent range.

On the p&c side, MarketScout reported that competition is increasing for the large accounts with premiums of $250,000 to $1 million. These large accounts are down 6 percent in November, compared to down 5 percent in October.

For other size categories, MarketScout reported November average premium drops of 2 percent for small accounts (up to $25,000), 5 percent for medium-sized accounts ($25,001-$250,000), and 5 percent for jumbo accounts (over $1,000,000).

By coverage, general liability was down the most at minus-6 percent, followed by commercial property with a 5 percent average decline in November, according to MarketScout, which produces a monthly “Market Barometer.”

“Insurers who traditionally focused on small guaranteed cost accounts are moving into the middle and larger market sectors to get a shot at larger accounts, which many insurance executives feel generate a higher profit margin for both insurers and intermediaries,” said Richard Kerr, chief executive officer of MarketScout.

Last month, Mr. Kerr said the industry needs to “realize this pricing environment may be around for several more years.”

Business owners, business interruption, inland marine and umbrella/excess coverages were each down 3 percent. Commercial auto and crime were down 2 percent in November, MarketScout reported.

By industry class, manufacturing and contracting were down 5 percent each.

As for group medical business, CIAB members “still saw premium increases for their clients, which is frustrating for them,” said Ken A. Crerar, CIAB president.

“There is no question that the services of brokers have been in high demand since the passage of health care reform, and many are concerned about the lack of flexibility among carriers. There is a lot of confusion due to the slow or prolonged implementation schedule.”

According to the survey, small, medium and large employers have started shifting some costs to employees through higher deductibles and co-pays and increased employee shares of premium costs. Some employers also limited out-of-network options in an attempt to control the cost of group medical plans.

The survey indicated that 96 percent of employee benefits consultants are “concerned” or “very concerned” that health care reform will negatively impact their group benefits revenue.

According to CIAB, high increases were reported, particularly for medium-sized group medical accounts, across all regions. Increases of 11-15 percent were reported for 38 percent of medium accounts in the Northeast; 41 percent of medium accounts in the Southeast; 71 percent of medium accounts in the Midwest; 79 percent of medium accounts in the Pacific Northwest; and 50 percent of medium accounts in the Southwest.

Most benefits consultants reported little or no change in group life insurance renewal rates. For 11 percent of small accounts, rates were down 1-5 percent, but 50 percent of accounts had no change. For medium accounts, 20 percent were down 1-5 percent, and another 40 percent reported no change. For large accounts, 19 percent were down 6-10 percent and 35 percent reported no change.

Special Reports /

Surveys Find Group Health Rates Still Climbing, P&C Rates Still Falling

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