NU Online News Service, Aug. 19, 12:00 p.m. EDT

Moody's says second-quarter catastrophes took a toll on property and casualty insurer's earnings, but there are no signs that price competition on the commercial side will let up anytime soon.

In a special commentary released yesterday, Moody's says rated carriers reported “respectable” net income numbers for the second quarter at approximately $1.4 billion compared to $4.4 billion for the same period last year.

The results include $5.5 billion in pre-tax catastrophe losses in the second quarter of this year compared to $2 billion of pre-tax catastrophe losses last year.

“In aggregate, net written premiums were up against the prior-year level, with companies generally reporting rate increases in personal lines, and increased exposures and flat to modestly rising renewal rates in commercial lines,” says Enrico Leo, assistant vice president and author of the report, in a statement. “Nevertheless, competition for new business remains intense.”

Combined Ratios Although renewal rates are up for some commercial insurers, absent a large industry event, pricing for commercial and specialty casualty insurance will improve only gradually, says Moody's.

The rating service notes that renewal rates were flat to slightly up and retentions remained strong “for the majority of companies.” The specialty markets are still competing with standard line carriers entering their market, but “there is some evidence of moderation” of rates in this segment.

The only place where rates are expected to increase noticeably is catastrophe-exposed property coverage, the report says.

The report says net written premiums for the group of 23 rated insurers rose 7 percent to more that $44 billion. However, net income for the group dropped 84 percent to $550 over last year.

The insurers included ACE, Allstate, Chartis, Chubb, Progressive, Travelers and W.R. Berkley.

Thirteen of the 23 companies reported second quarter combined ratios above 100 and the rest were above 90.

The exceptions were HCC Insurance Holdings at 89.2; Proassurance Corp. at 71, and RLI Corp. at 89.

Twenty-two of the 23 reported increases in their combined ratio over the second quarter last year except Proassurance, a writer of medical professional liability insurance, whose combined ratio dropped 8.1 points.

Special Reports /

P&C Earnings Struck By 2Q Cat; Commercial Market Still Intense, Says Moody's

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