Commercial-insurance rates were up by 4 percent inFebruary compared to the same month a year ago, but differentindustry classes led the charge on increases compared to monthsprior, according to MarketScout.

Richard Kerr, CEO of MarketScout, says, “Over the last year,transportation and energy have lead rate increases most of thetime. However, for February, transportation was up 4 percent andenergy was up 3 percent. The only industry with a lesser rateincrease was public entities. Manufacturing, service andhabitational companies lead the February industry rate increases atplus 6 percent.”

By coverage class, commercial-property rates were up by 6percent for the month. Umbrella/excess and commercial auto followedwith 5 percent increases for February compared to February 2012,while business-owners policies, general liability, workers' comp,professional liability and directors and officers were all up 4percent. Surety showed the most modest increase, up by just 1percent compared to February 2012.

As seen in previous months, the larger the account, the morecompetitive the pricing. Rates for jumbo accounts, defined aspremium over $1 million, were up by 2 percent in February. Largeaccounts ($250,001 to $1 million in premium) were up by 3 percents,Medium accounts ($25,001 to $250,000) were up by 5 percent andsmall accounts (up to $25,000) were up by 6 percent.