Commercial insurance rates rise again in May

Most average commercial insurance renewal premiums increased by low single-digit percentages in May, similar to trends over the past several months, according to a report released Friday by insurance exchange Ivans Insurance Solutions.

Workers compensation was the only line tracked by the Tampa, Florida-based unit of insurance technology firm Applied Systems Inc. that saw a premium rate decrease, with rates falling 2.7%.

Commercial auto and business owners policy renewals saw the biggest increases in May at 4%, followed by commercial property at 3.2%, general liability at 2.4% and umbrella rates at 1.5%.

“This month’s Ivans Index demonstrates that the commercial lines market remains hard,” said Brian Wood, vice president of Ivans Markets, in a statement.