U.S. commercial insurance prices showed an aggregate increase of 0.5%

WTW’s latest CLIPS data shows U.S. commercial insurance pricing growth slowing sharply in Q2 2026 versus recent quarters.

Rhea-AI Summary

WTW (WTW) reports that U.S. commercial insurance prices rose by an aggregate 0.5% in Q2 2026, based on its Commercial Lines Insurance Pricing Survey (CLIPS).

The increase represents continued moderation in pricing, compared with a 2.5% rise in Q1 2026 and 3.8% in Q2 2025. Commercial Property recorded the largest price decrease, while General and Products Liability continued to moderate. Directors and Officers (D&O) coverage shifted back to a small price increase after several quarters of declines. Large Account Commercial saw its first price decrease since late 2017, while Small Commercial, Mid-Market, and Specialty lines showed moderated or small price increases.

News Explained

The disclosure is a retrospective survey: WTW compares premiums for policies underwritten in Q2 2026 with the same coverage a year earlier, so the 0.5% figure describes observed pricing rather than a forward-looking rate prediction.

Market Context

WTW had declined 3.57% in the prior daily close before the survey; current peer data showed several ...

Analysis

WTW had declined 3.57% in the prior daily close before the survey; current peer data showed several insurance brokers lower, while ERIE rose 0.79%, providing mixed market context for the reported pricing moderation.

Key Figures

Aggregate commercial insurance price increase: 0.5% Prior-quarter price increase: 2.5% Year-ago price increase: 3.8% +1 more

Aggregate commercial insurance price increase

0.5%

Q2 2026

Prior-quarter price increase

2.5%

Q1 2026

Year-ago price increase

3.8%

Q2 2025

Large Account Commercial pricing

First price decrease since the end of 2017

Q2 2026

Key Terms

commercial lines insurance pricing, claims cost inflation, p&c

3 terms

commercial lines insurance pricing technical

"U.S. commercial insurance prices grew again in the second quarter of 2026"

The process insurers use to determine premiums, discounts, and coverage terms for business insurance policies that protect companies against risks like property damage, liability, or business interruption. It combines analysis of past losses, expected future claims, market competition, regulatory rules, and the insurer’s target profit to set prices, much like a merchant pricing goods based on cost, demand, and risk. For investors, these prices drive an insurer’s revenue, loss ratios and competitive position.

claims cost inflation technical

"historical changes in Commercial Property & Casualty insurance (P&C) prices and claims cost inflation"

Claims cost inflation is the rising amount insurers must pay out for each claim as the prices of goods, services and medical care increase or claims become more severe. Think of it like household bills going up: if the cost to fix things or pay medical bills grows, the insurer’s expenses rise, which can squeeze profits, force higher premiums, or require larger financial reserves — all important signals for investors assessing an insurer’s financial health.

p&c technical

"Commercial Property & Casualty insurance (P&C) prices"

P&C stands for property and casualty insurance, the sector that protects physical assets (homes, cars, buildings) and pays for legal or repair costs when people or property are harmed. Investors watch P&C businesses because they generate steady premium income but face sudden, often large claims after accidents or disasters, so profitability can swing sharply—think of premiums as a safety net that can stretch or tear under big losses.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Commercial Lines Insurance Pricing Survey: Q2 2026

NEW YORK, Sept. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- U.S. commercial insurance prices grew again in the second quarter of 2026, with an aggregate price increase of 0.5%, according to WTW’s latest Commercial Lines Insurance Pricing Survey (CLIPS).

The survey compares premiums for policies underwritten during the quarter with those for the same coverage in the prior year. The aggregate price increase of 0.5% in the second quarter marks a continued moderation in commercial insurance pricing, down from a 2.5% increase in the first quarter of 2026 and a 3.8% increase in the second quarter of 2025.

Commercial Property saw the largest price decrease this quarter, with prices declining more significantly than in the prior quarter. General and Products Liability continued to moderate, while D&O returned to a small price increase after several quarters of decreases. Across account sizes, price increases moderated for Small Commercial and Mid-Market Commercial, while Large Account Commercial experienced its first price decrease since the end of 2017. Specialty lines continued to show a small price increase.

“Commercial insurance pricing is continuing to move toward a more balanced market, with overall price increases moderating across many lines,” said Yi Jing, Managing Director, Insurance Consulting and Technology, WTW. “While there are still areas of the market experiencing upward pricing pressure, the pace of change has slowed considerably. This quarter’s results reinforce the trend we’ve been seeing toward greater stability in commercial insurance pricing.”

CLIPS is a retrospective look at historical changes in Commercial Property & Casualty insurance (P&C) prices and claims cost inflation. A forward-looking analysis of Commercial P&C trends, outlook, and rate predictions can be found in WTW’s Insurance Marketplace Realities series. 

About WTW

At WTW (NASDAQ: WTW), we provide data-driven, insight-led solutions in the areas of people, risk and capital. Leveraging the global view and local expertise of our colleagues serving 140 countries and markets, we help organizations sharpen their strategy, enhance organizational resilience, motivate their workforce and maximize performance.

Working shoulder to shoulder with our clients, we uncover opportunities for sustainable success—and provide perspective that moves you.

About CLIPS

CLIPS data are based on both new and renewal business figures obtained directly from carriers underwriting the business. CLIPS participants represent a cross-section of U.S. P&C insurers that includes many of the top ten commercial lines companies and the top 25 insurance groups in the U.S. This survey compared prices charged on policies written during the second quarter of 2026 with the prices charged for the same coverage during the same quarter of 2025. For this most recent survey, 43 participating companies representing approximately 20% of the U.S. commercial insurance market (excluding state workers compensation funds) contributed data.

Media Contact

Arnelle Sullivan
Arnelle.Sullivan@wtwco.com

FAQ

What does WTW’s Commercial Lines Insurance Pricing Survey (CLIPS) measure?

CLIPS is a retrospective analysis that compares premiums for commercial property and casualty policies underwritten in a given quarter with premiums for the same coverage one year earlier, tracking historical changes in prices and claims cost inflation.

Which U.S. commercial insurance segment saw the largest price decrease in Q2 2026?

Commercial Property experienced the largest price decrease in Q2 2026, with prices declining more than in the prior quarter.

How did pricing change for large commercial accounts in Q2 2026?

Large Account Commercial experienced its first price decrease since the end of 2017.

Where can forward-looking U.S. commercial P&C rate predictions from WTW be found?

Forward-looking analysis of Commercial P&C trends, outlook, and rate predictions is provided in WTW’s Insurance Marketplace Realities series.