Property and casualty carriers enjoyed a strong hiring month in December, boosting employment for this subsector of the insurance industry to its highest level in 2012, according to the most recent figures from the U.S Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics.
In an Insurance Information Institute analysis of the figures, I.I.I. President Robert Hartwig says P&C carrier employment, which gained 4,600 jobs (seasonally adjusted) in December compared to November, stands at 525,900, its highest level since July 2011.
"It is not unusual for P&C carrier employment to grow in December," Hartwig says. "In the 23 Decembers starting in 1990, for example, P&C carrier employment grew 14 times, was flat twice and fell seven times."
Agents and brokers, meanwhile, shed 1,200 jobs in December compared to November, which Hartwig called "somewhat unusual." He says, "In the 23 Decembers starting in 1990, for example, agent/broker employment grew 12 times, was flat 4 times, and fell 7 times."
Employment for this subsector stands at 662,700, and has generally been on an upward trend since August 2010, Hartwig says.
As for other industry subsectors, reinsurers added 100 jobs in December, and claims adjusters gained 400 jobs. Hartwig says the bump for claims adjusters was likely driven by increased demand after Superstorm Sandy.
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