P&C cycle turns but rate increases set to remain modest

Property/casualty (P&C) rates have risen in the Jan. 1, 2018 renewals for the first time since 2013, but rate increases remain modest despite large catastrophe losses in 2017, according to Fitch Ratings.

The agency believes that the growth of the alternative capital sector has altered reinsurance market dynamics, making capacity shortages less likely and the underwriting cycle potentially flatter. Insurance-linked security (ILS) investors have already largely replenished most of the capital consumed by last year's catastrophe losses.

Natural catastrophes caused economic losses in excess of $300 billion globally in 2017 and insured losses of around $130 billion, making 2017 one of the most costly years for the insurance sector on record. The insured losses had a relatively limited impact on most reinsurers' capital as they were well spread between insurers, reinsurers and capital markets.

Fitch did not downgrade any reinsurers as a result. However, the agency moved XL and Axis to a Negative Outlook, reflecting a decline in capital adequacy, near-term sensitivity to adverse adjustments to loss estimates or additional loss events, and adverse underlying earnings trends.

January's renewals show double-digit rate increases on some US loss-affected reinsurance programmes but increases elsewhere were modest. In Europe, 2017 was a benign year for catastrophes so, despite US losses, reinsurers were unable to reverse much of the rate reduction from recent years.

Fitch’s outlook for the reinsurance sector remains negative, reflecting continued pressure on earnings from competitive pricing, alternative capital and low investment yields. Combined ratios, normalised for an average level of reserve releases and catastrophe losses, have steadily deteriorated.