Transitioning markets make for tougher renewals. Rising prices, carrier repositioning, and stricter underwriting are combining to make this year’s renewals more challenging. Seeking to tame natural catastrophe losses, carriers are changing appetites, scaling back capacity in some markets, and exiting others. Those changes have helped drive submission activity to levels not seen since 2005 and are further exacerbated by new market entrants that are causing a movement of underwriting talent not seen in recent times. In this market, communication is critical for successful renewals. Experienced brokers can make the difference by helping clients put together more compelling submissions with the best available data and provide up-to-the-minute guidance on market moves.

After a $14M property loss, CRC Group’s Claims Advocacy team successfully negotiated a settlement of a dispute over the business interruption portion of a claim, allowing the parties to move forward and close the claim. In doing so, the team helped the parties avoid litigation and repair their fraying relationship.

The stresses that had been building in the California earthquake market have begun to ease. The momentum of rate increases has slowed, although high-risk zones and older buildings remain challenging. Capacity has improved as carriers see a better risk-reward outlook after the significant rate increases of recent years. Higher deductibles are part of the changing landscape, due to pressure from carriers, but also as a means for buyers to manage premium costs. In an evolving market, working with a knowledgeable broker with broad access to markets and in-house modeling expertise can help buyers achieve better results.

Creativity holds the key to placing risks in the difficult market for dealer open lot coverage. Capacity remains very tight as some markets have exited altogether while the remaining ones are generally willing to offer only smaller limits. Few excess and surplus carriers are showing an appetite for the risk. Out of necessity, many auto dealers are taking lower limits and higher deductibles to fit coverage within their budgets. It’s a market where experienced brokers really make a difference.

The 2021 wildfire season is predicted to be the fifth consecutive year in a pattern of severe fire seasons. Wildfire threats emerged early this year as 98% percent of land in the Western states continues to experience drought conditions compounded by early summer heatwaves.