European Insurance Market Update – Property

Insurers are adopting a more commercially driven approach, characterized by strategic selectivity. There's a strong appetite for new business, especially for well-defined and desirable risks, while maintaining high retention rates remains pivotal for achieving growth objectives.

Property

Europe rate trends: Property

Countries	Trend
Germany & Austria
Switzerland
Poland
Ireland
Denmark
Norway
Sweden & Finland
France
Luxembourg
Belgium
Netherlands
Italy
Portugal
Spain

• Insurers are showing a growing readiness to cover large and complex risks. However, for specific exposures like catastrophe events, Contingent Business Interruption (CBI) stemming from supply chain disruptions, and Strikes, Riots, and Civil Commotions (SRCC) amid escalating geopolitical tensions, the associated premium costs are generally higher, particularly for loss leading accounts.
• The reinsurance market is seeing a stable supply of capital, which has led to less focus on capacity constraints compared to previous quarters. This stability is enabling greater flexibility in structuring reinsurance programs.
• Additionally, we’re witnessing the return of Long-Term Agreements (LTAs) in certain markets, which provide clients with greater predictability and stability. Roll-over agreements, where terms from expiring contracts are extended with minor adjustments, are also becoming a viable option in some regions.
• The quality of data in submissions is critical, encompassing risk engineering, loss runs—both frequency and severity, inflation with accurate valuations, and clear terms and conditions.
• Demonstrating progress on risk quality recommendations and availability of survey reports important for the market.
• Underwriting is driven by risk selection and a disciplined approach to capacity deployment, emphasizing the importance of quality submissions and a clear placement strategy for success.
• As economic environment changes it remains important to consider alternative ways to achieve client objectives such as the use of analytics captives, tailored coverage, deductible levels, limits and sub-limits to reflect true exposure as well as alternative risk transfer solutions.

Contact

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Victor de Jager

Head of Property for Europe
Direct and Facultative, WTW

email Email phone +31 06 2111 6250

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