A well-run insurance company does not need a hard market to make a profit, and companies that are anxious to see one are desperate for the income, the chief executive of Marsh & McLennan Cos. says.

While there are doubts about whether the property and casualty insurance industry is getting set to enter a hard-market cycle, it increasingly looks like rates are beginning to stabilize in many lines, according to observations by an industry report and some chief executives.

The aviation-insurance market is described as stable with renewal pricing indicating no dramatic change in trends, and losses to date are at one of the lowest levels in years, according to two insurance brokers’ reports.

A growing number of agents are finding value in making a relatively small investment to develop custom mobile apps that can improve customer serviceand brand the agency as one that is on the cutting edge.

BB&T continues to see growth in its insurance-brokerage business, reporting a 4 percent growth in income for the 2011 second quarter compared to the same period a year before.

BB&T continues to see growth in its insurance-brokerage business, reporting a 4 percent growth in income for the 2011 second quarter compared to the same period a year before.

Aon says net income increased 69 percent due to new business and the integration of Hewitt into its consulting business.

The commercial property and casualty market is showing more evidence that the long soft-market cycle may be grinding to a halt, as the latest survey of insurance brokers indicates a modest increase in pricing.