Increases across all geographies moderated due to slower rate rises in property insurance, except Europe, and financial and professional lines, except Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The UK, with a composite pricing increase of 28% (down from 35% in Q1 2021) and the Pacific region, with a 23% increase (down from 29% in Q1 2021) continued to drive the global composite rate. The rate of increase in the US was 12% (down from 14%), in Asia 6% (down from 8%), in LAC 4% (down from 5%), and in Continental Europe 13% (down from 15%).
Among other findings, the survey noted:
- Global property insurance pricing was up 12% on average, down from the 15% increase in the first quarter 2021; casualty pricing was up 6% on average, which was the same as the prior quarter.
- Pricing in financial and professional lines again had the highest rate of increase across the major insurance product categories, at 34%, compared to 40% in the previous quarter.
- Cyber insurance pricing again diverged from the moderation trend. In the US prices increased 56% in the US, compared to 35% in Q1, and 35% in the UK, compared to 29% in first quarter, driven by the frequency and severity of ransomware claims.
Commenting on the report, Lucy Clarke, President, Marsh Specialty and Marsh Global Placement, said: “Clients continue to face a challenging risk and insurance landscape as the global economy emerges from the pandemic. Although we expect continued pressure on pricing, especially in loss affected lines, we also expect the general trend of moderating price increases to continue through the rest of the year.”