Casualty insurance prices continued to move higher at the start of 2013, though changes vary by industry sector and by buyer, according to a report by Marsh Inc.

The report released Friday showed 54% of clients reporting general liability price increases during the fourth quarter of 2012 with 18% reporting no change and 28% reporting price decreases. The benchmark report showed a median general liability rate increase of 3.1% and an average increase of 2.1% during the fourth quarter, up from a 1.1% median increase and a 1.6% average increase during the third quarter of last year.

General liability clients with good loss histories, strong safety controls and lower hazard exposures generally experienced price decreases at renewal, Marsh said.

The experience of Marsh's workers compensation clients showed 51% reporting rate increases during the fourth quarter of 2012 with 16% reporting no increase and 33% reporting price decreases. The median increase for the quarter was 1.6% and the average increase was 2.9%, up from the third quarter's 1.0% average increase and 1.6% median increase.

The New York-based brokerage said workers compensation buyers that distinguished themselves through their claims management and loss control programs generally fared better than others during the fourth quarter.

Marsh reported that automobile liability rates remained relatively stable in 2012. Fourth-quarter benchmark figures show 47% of clients reporting rate increase, 24% reporting no change and 30% reporting rate decreases, with a median increase of 0.1% and an average increase of 1.9%. In the third quarter, clients reported a flat median price and a 1.6% average increase.

%%BREAK%%

The umbrella and excess liability markets showed greater rate increase than any other casualty lines during the fourth quarter, according to the Marsh report. During the quarter, 56% of clients experienced rate increases on umbrella and excess liability programs, 29% saw no change and 15% saw prices decrease. The median increase in umbrella and excess rates in the fourth quarter was 3.2% and the average increase was 4.9%, up from a median increase of 0.7% in the third quarter and an average increase of 3.2%.

The report, “Casualty Rates Edging Upward,” can be found here.