Looking Ahead 2019: Property & Casualty Considerations for the Next Year

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Umbrella/Excess Liability

The exception is accounts with large auto

As a cover for various primary insurance policies,

distances (typically greater than a 200-mile

umbrella insurance (also called excess liability)

radius). For these accounts, expect premium

covers further costs when primary policies

increases and/or an increase in attachment

run out. While a general or auto policy might

point for auto liability coverage. Meaning, an

be for $1 million, umbrella insurance can

umbrella insurer may require a larger primary

provide another $5, $10, or $25 million on top,

auto liability limit.

saving clients from purchasing larger policies for each primary insurance layer.

fleets, especially heavy trucks that drive long

Market capacity remains abundant and we expect continued softness across all casualty

Clients commonly add umbrella insurance to

markets. Even clients seeing some increases

their bundle, so it's important to understand

in the lead umbrella can often offset those

that it can be impacted by the primary liability

increases with reductions in excess layers.

markets underneath it. For example, if you have a tough product exposure on an auto policy (perhaps a truck fleet that carries hazardous materials), cost increases there will flow up to your umbrella policy.

Overall, the casualty insurance market is still soft and ideal for buyers. The one exception to this is auto liability, and we encourage clients to note the underwriting strategies we've outlined above when heading into auto

In general, umbrella market conditions remain

renewals. Differentiating yourself from the rest

soft with a lot of capacity. This is especially true

of the pack can help mitigate rate increases

above the lead umbrella layer (usually $25

and reduce costs for the entire business.

million) with many carriers fighting for the shrinking premium dollars.

Umbrella liability market conditions remain soft, especially above the lead umbrella layer.

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