Why are my Business Insurance Costs Increasing?

Proactive strategies for navigating the insurance market before your renewal.

Understanding the Hard Market

The insurance industry has been experiencing significant changes that - if they haven’t already - will directly impact your business. With the United States property and casualty insurance industry recording several billions of dollars in underwriting losses in 2022 and 2023, insurance carriers are taking measures to mitigate their risks. A hard market refers to a cycle in the insurance industry that is characterized by reduced capacity, increasing premiums, and stricter underwriting guidelines. It can be caused by several factors including:

  • Falling investment returns for insurers
  • Increase in frequency or severity of losses in the insurance industry nationwide
  • The rise in natural disasters and their associated costs
  • Inflation and escalating construction expenses
  • Larger liability claims in various sectors including general liability and cyber liability
  • Regulatory intervention deemed to be against the interest of insurers

Implications for Your Business

As a business owner, it’s essential to be aware of the implications of the hard market and increasing insurance costs. Insurance carriers are likely to pass on their elevated expenses to policyholders, resulting in higher premiums. Some carriers may exit certain industries or regions all together. Moreover, insurers will adopt stricter underwriting guidelines, making it crucial for businesses to position themselves strategically to secure favorable pricing. Additionally, insurers may be quicker to terminate policies in case of claims, emphasizing the need for effective risk management.

What Should You Do in a Hard Market?

  • Schedule a pre-renewal strategy meeting 3-4 months in advance. Underwriters may have stricter guidelines for you to accommodate due to high new business volumes.
  • Evaluate property schedules, retention strategies, and deductibles for risk management. Consider higher deductibles to reduce premiums.
  • Present your robust safety program to the underwriter. Invest in safety technologies to minimize claims if needed.
  • Review and update your claims data. Take action to address any increase in losses and document preventive measures.
  • Provide underwriters with an update on safety programs, emphasizing new training or equipment purchases to showcase your commitment to safety.
  • Evaluate location-based risks and prepare plans for catastrophic, pandemic-related, and rioting events to present to underwriters.
  • Select an insurer dedicated to your industry. Maintain open communication and detail your risk management measures to minimize losses.
  • Decide on the minimum acceptable liability limits for your organization if reductions are needed due to capacity constraints or unfavorable pricing.
  • Review property insurance values to ensure that they are adequate even if the insurer insists on scheduled per-location limits.
  • Be prepared to demonstrate the reliability of your company’s financial statements to underwriters.

Navigate Change with Confidence

While insurance may not be on your mind until your renewal is right around the corner, it’s important to be prepared and proactive to avoid surprises. Reach out to your local First State Insurance Agent to begin assessing your options now.