Liability loss ratios erode; Tariff impact
Welcome to the News Brief, our recap of the week's top stories in commercial lines.
- Liability insurers saw widespread deterioration in their loss ratios in 2024 as nuclear verdicts, third-party litigation and costly settlements took their toll on carrier bottom lines. In a group of the 25 largest liability carriers, State Farm's loss ratio was the highest.
- Tariffs have been in the news this week, and estimates are coming in on the impact on the P&C industry. APCIA estimates that annual personal auto insurance claims costs alone could rise by between $7 billion and $24 billion. "All of these increased costs would adversely affect home, auto and business insurance affordability nationally, at a time when the marketplace is already plagued by legal system abuse and regulatory uncertainty," said David Sampson, APCIA CEO.
- Liberty Mutual is facing a policyholder lawsuit asking for a legal decision that will determine if it is responsible for harmful exposures under the terms of 13 different policies and their payout limits, or just one. The answer could mean a difference of millions of dollars.
- Progressive's commercial insurance activities last year provided a barrage of underwriting cash flow, after barely breaking even in 2024. Its profit margin is now just a whisker under its personal lines business.
- Overall, big business insurers are doing well nationally when it comes to managing the staff, and getting effective work out of them. Among 20 of the U.S.'s largest commercial insurers based on annual U.S. direct premiums written, 50% performed "above average" when compared to other large employees. (Table below is snapshot of full table in article).
Table of the week
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