The construction-insurance market remains stable, but pricing is mixed depending on the sector, a Marsh market update states.

Personal auto insurance rates appear set to increase at an accelerated pace, according to one analyst firm, and insurers may just be waiting on the market leader to lead the charge.

P&C insurance rates are rising, and pricing momentum is expected to continue through 2012, but some observers say increases might moderate in 2013 and that the industry will not see a hard market marked by strong underwriting profitability.

As Hurricane Isaac heads toward the Gulf Coast, PC360 revisits some of the recent "I" storms whose names have been retired by the World Meteorological Organization due to insured and economic losses caused by the tropical cyclones.

While many recent reports correctly point to lower catastrophe activity as a primary reason behind insurers improved 2012 Q2 results, the period still beat the 10-year average for cat losses, a Moodys report says.

Due to prolonged drought conditions in the Midwest, underwriting losses for 12 major corn- and soybean-producing states could be more than $2.8 billion, a recent report warnsand the trade group representing the crop-insurance industry says insurers have already paid out $822 million so far this season.

Property and casualty insurance rates are on the rise, but reports released in late July through August seem unsure of whether the pricing trend will build into sustained underwriting profits during a period of rising loss costs and low investment returns.

Despite rising rates and second-quarter performance that met or beat estimates for most insurers, the outlook for the industry is considered challenging, according to one analyst firm, as loss trends are picking up in personal lines and investment income is worsening across the industry.