On the increase

Even the Oracle at Delphi – the greatest seer in the ancient world – might have thrown up her hands in exasperation at being asked to predict a positive outlook for commercial rates this year. And, adding insult to injury, Ernst & Young pointed to a further 5% drop in insurer profitability this year, making a cumulative 12% fall in the last two years. How low can it go before commercial insurers act on rating?

Certainly there were some signs of stress among an increasing number of commercial