U.S. commercial insurance prices climbed more than 6 percent in aggregate during the 2020 first quarter compared to the year, Willis Towers Watson’s pricing survey for the sector.

Price increases surpassed 6 percent in aggregate for the second quarter in a row, Willis Towers Watson said.

Once again, nearly all commercial lines saw price hikes. Some saw double-digit increases: Directors and Officers liability, excess/umbrella, commercial auto and property.

For most other lines, however, Willis Towers Watson said price changes trended higher at a similar rate to the previous quarter.

Price increases were more muted for small commercial accounts and higher across mid-market accounts, with large accounts nearing double digits, Willis Towers Watson said.

Workers compensation continued to be a notable exception with many carriers reporting rate reductions, Alejandra Nolibos, senior director, Insurance Consulting and Technology for Willis Towers Watson, said in prepared remarks.

As well, Nolibos said that the statistics don’t yet reflect reactions to short and midterm impacts of COVID-19, “among them changes in task and employment mix and the economic situation.” He said that continued analysis of emerging data will track those effects for future premium trends.

Willis Towers Watson’s CLIPS survey is a retrospective look at historical changes in commercial property/casualty insurance (P&C) prices and claim cost inflation.

Source: Willis Towers Watson