Soft U.S. commercial insurance market conditions are expected to persist through the fourth quarter of 2010, according to preliminary rate information published today by Marsh.

So far in the fourth quarter, Marsh clients renewing their programs have experienced average rate reductions across all major lines of business compared to the fourth quarter of 2009.  Marsh’s preliminary fourth quarter figures, the most current and relevant information available to risk managers, indicate that:

• Property rates declined an average of 4.4 percent;
• General liability rates declined an average of 6.9 percent;
• Workers' compensation rates declined an average of 3.7 percent;
• Directors and officers liability (D&O) rates for public companies declined an average of 7 percent for primary programs, and 10.3 percent for total programs; and
• Employment practices liability (EPL) rates declined an average of 4.6 percent for primary programs, and 4.7 percent for total programs.

"Marsh's preliminary data indicates that rates are continuing to trend downward, which is good news for our clients," said Dean Klisura, U.S. Risk Practices Leader, Marsh. "Barring a market-changing event, we do not expect this trend to reverse in the near future."

Marsh's fourth quarter rate update is based on data from Marsh’s Global Benchmarking Portal and reflects transactions brokered by Marsh through early November 2010. Marsh's benchmarking data provides clients with the most current and relevant information available in the insurance brokerage industry to make informed risk financing and budgeting decisions.