The commercial property insurance market continues to adjust as carriers respond to rising losses, economic pressures, and changing risk exposures affecting real estate investment portfolios. A recent overview from REInsurePro highlighted several factors influencing underwriting, pricing, and coverage availability for commercial investment properties. The report noted that insurance agents working with real estate investors increasingly face stricter underwriting requirements and shifting market conditions.

According to the report, investment properties present a broad range of risks that can affect both pricing and coverage options. Severe weather remains a major concern, with storms, wildfires, and flooding contributing to higher claim costs and property damage. In high-risk regions, insurers may require higher deductibles or specialized endorsements.

Aging infrastructure also continues to impact underwriting decisions. Older roofs, plumbing systems, and electrical systems may increase the likelihood of losses, prompting some insurers to request inspections or proof of system updates before offering coverage.

Vacancy presents another underwriting challenge. Vacant properties are considered more vulnerable to vandalism, theft, and unnoticed damage. Some carriers may limit or exclude coverage after properties remain vacant beyond a specified period.

Tenant-related exposures also remain a focus. The report noted that tenant negligence can lead to significant property damage and claims activity. Additional coverage options, including tenant protection plans, may help address those exposures while protecting an investor’s loss history.

At the same time, maintenance concerns continue to influence underwriting evaluations. Deferred maintenance can contribute to preventable losses, leading insurers to place greater emphasis on property upkeep and documentation.

Economic conditions have also affected the commercial property insurance market. Rising costs for construction materials and labor over the past five years have increased rebuilding and repair expenses following losses. As replacement costs rise, insurers continue to emphasize accurate property valuations and adequate policy limits.

The report stated that several broader market trends are influencing commercial investment property insurance, including:

• More restrictive underwriting guidelines
• Higher deductibles and premium increases in high-risk regions
• Stricter requirements for roofs and building systems
• Regulatory changes tied to local building codes
• Reduced carrier participation in certain high-risk states
• Greater use of technology and data analytics in underwriting

These market conditions have increased the importance of detailed commercial risk assessments for investment portfolios. According to the report, agents are placing greater focus on reviewing building age and construction type, evaluating loss histories, analyzing occupancy patterns, and assessing geographic and environmental exposures.

The report also identified several tools commonly used by independent insurance agents handling commercial investment property accounts. These include property valuation software, risk assessment platforms, digital quoting systems, and portfolio management tools designed for clients with multiple investment properties.

REInsurePro stated that its platform is designed to support independent agents serving investor clients with varying property types and occupancy needs. The company noted that its structure is intended to simplify policy servicing while supporting recurring revenue opportunities for agents.

The commercial property market continues to experience underwriting and pricing adjustments as insurers respond to changing risk conditions across the real estate investment sector.

Customer satisfaction with insurance websites and mobile apps declined in 2026, even as more consumers used digital channels to shop for and manage policies, according to the JD Power 2026 U.S. Insurance Digital Experience Study.

The study found that 47% of all new auto and home insurance policies are now purchased digitally. However, many customers reported difficulty finding information online and did not use tools designed to improve the digital experience, such as chatbots and virtual assistants.

“As insurance prices have started to come down nationwide, a massive volume of active customers and new prospects are comparison shopping and hunting for information on insurer websites and mobile apps,” said Eric McCready, director of digital solutions at JD Power.

Satisfaction Scores Decline

The study measured customer satisfaction with insurer websites and apps in both service and shopping experiences.

In the service segment, the average overall satisfaction score was 695 on a 1,000-point scale. That score dropped 4 points from last year. In the shopping segment, the average satisfaction score was 523, which marked a 12-point decline year over year.

The study evaluated desktop web, mobile web, and app experiences across several factors, including design, information, tools and capabilities, quoting, and system performance.

Comparison Tools Remain Limited

The study also found that many insurers do not provide enough cost comparison information online.

Only one-third of insurance shoppers encountered comparison pricing tools that included other insurance brands. In addition, just 27% found tools that compared policy options from the same insurer. Meanwhile, 28% of customers said they encountered no price comparison tools at all.

Customers were nearly twice as likely to consider purchasing a policy when price comparison tools were available. According to the study, 39% of customers considered purchasing a policy when comparisons were provided, compared with 21% when no comparison tools were available.

Chatbots and Virtual Assistants See Low Usage

Although chatbot and virtual assistant usage remained low, the study showed these tools improved customer satisfaction among shoppers who used them.

Overall satisfaction among shoppers who used a virtual assistant or chatbot reached 645, which was 132 points higher than among those who did not use the tools. Despite that increase, only 11% of customers used chatbots or virtual assistants during the insurance shopping process.

Justin Suter, director of market engagement and thought leadership at Corporate Insight, said websites and apps now play a central role in the insurance customer journey. He also noted that customers increasingly use AI tools to gather insurance information and compare quotes.

Study Rankings

Amica ranked highest in the service segment with a score of 730. Nationwide ranked second with 723, followed by GEICO with 717.

In the shopping segment, National General ranked highest with a score of 553. Automobile Club Group (AAA) ranked second with 546, and Erie Insurance ranked third with 545.

The study was based on 11,553 evaluations collected from January through March 2026.