Property/casualty executives doubtful about comp profitability in 2012

Property/casualty CEOs and analysts have high hopes about 2012 except for the workers' comp line.

More than half the nearly 250 surveyed said they do not expect to see an improvement in profitability in workers' comp this year, in contrast to other lines.

The respondents were participants at the 16th annual Property/Casualty Insurance Joint Industry Forum held in New York earlier this month. The survey, conducted by the Insurance Information Institute showed the executives were generally optimistic about the property/casualty industry, other than workers' comp.

NFL seeks to seal the deal against players filing in California (04/19/12)
Washington: DLI looks to establish medical provider network (09/10/12)
Physician-owned surgery centers come under researchers' scrutiny (06/18/12)
Coalition disputes contentions in think tank's report on N.Y. assessments (04/19/12)
Report outlines effective strategies for successful self-insurance groups (06/18/12)

Three-quarters of the executives said they expect an improvement in profitability in 2012 in the property/casualty industry, and nearly as many believe the industry is on the road to recovery. But 55 percent said they do not expect the same for the workers' comp line.

Other survey results for the property/casualty industry included the following:

The worst of the financial crisis is behind us -- 75 percent.
The industry is now in the early stages of a hard market -- 72 percent.
The combined ratio will be lower compared with 2011 -- 78 percent.
Consolidation among insurers/reinsurers will not increase -- 71 percent.

Most believe the U.S. economy is poised for growth of a little over a 2 percent annual rate, net of inflation.

Read more at the WorkersComp Forum homepage.

January 26, 2012

Newsletter Sign-up