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.

When an insurance carrier denied coverage and defense to a condo association just two weeks before a status hearing in a slip-and-fall case, the retail agent turned to CRC Group’s Claims Advocacy Team for help. Despite the time constraints, CRC was able to review the claim, advocate for coverage, and convince the carrier to rescind its denial—all in time for the Insured to receive a defense at the hearing.

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.

Healthcare is a diverse industry, ranging from individual practitioners and home health nurses, to ambulatory care centers and integrated systems with revenues in the billions of dollars. The risks along that spectrum also vary widely, but the insurance marketplace for healthcare organizations has been almost uniformly tight. Several insurance companies that underwrote healthcare business for decades have withdrawn from some classes, citing high loss ratios. In their place, new sources of capacity have emerged. Historically, the presence of new entrants has signaled competition and a loosening of terms, conditions and rates. Unfortunately for insureds, that is not happening in the current marketplace. It's a challenging environment that requires retailers to approach the renewal process differently.

Following a soft market cycle characterized by marked underpricing, an excess casualty market that was hardening at the start of 2021 is now firm. Underwriters continue to look for rate increases and cut capacity as large claims climb the tower.