David Bradford Soft Quotations

Risk managers who saw their renewal prices drop said they felt lucky, because those who experienced the hurricane effect are now explaining to their management why renewal premiums just went through the roof. The real question is whether Katrina and Rita will have a lasting effect and strengthen the market for a time -- potentially in all lines of business, not just property -- or whether this is a short-term blip in what has proved to be a pretty resolute soft market.

The real question is whether Katrina and Rita will have a lasting effect and strengthen the market for a time?potentially in all lines of business, not just property?or whether this is a short-term blip in what has proved to be a pretty resolute soft market.

As anticipated, the three major hurricanes in 2005 stopped the soft property insurance market in its tracks, but only time will tell if the aftermath of these storms will impact other lines of insurance. Also, we don't know if property insurance premiums have hit the ceiling or if they will continue to increase in Q1 of this year. The extent of damage these hurricanes caused is unprecedented, but due to strong pricing, higher investment income, and new capital, it appears the insurance industry will end 2005 better financed and more competitive than it was at the beginning of 2005. Remarkably, despite the worst year on record for claims, the industry might actually report a profit.