| Coverage | Trend | Range |
|---|---|---|
| General liability |  |
+2% to +10% |
| Auto liability (low / moderate hazard) | |
+8% to +15% |
| Auto liability (high hazard / challenged class) | |
+10% to +20% |
| Workers' compensation |  |
-3% to +2% |
| Umbrella liability (low / moderate hazard) | |
+3% to +12% |
| Umbrella liability (high hazard / challenged class) | |
+8% to +15% |
| Excess liability (low / moderate hazard) | |
+2% to +10% |
| Excess liability (high hazard / challenged class) | |
+8% to +15% |
Key takeaways
- Rate increases are moderating, especially in excess and umbrella liability, improving renewal predictability.
- Workers’ compensation remains the most stable line, supported by strong underwriting results and competition.
- Social inflation, nuclear verdicts and adverse loss trends continue to pressure casualty underwriting
- Higher retentions and alternative risk financing remain key tools for managing total cost of risk
While casualty rate increases continue to moderate from recent peaks, insurers remain focused on severity-driven losses, adverse development and a challenging litigation environment. Improved competition, expanded capacity and years of portfolio remediation have eased pricing pressure, particularly in umbrella and excess liability, though underlying loss trends remain unchanged. Workers’ compensation remains the only casualty line consistently generating rate reductions.
Signs of greater market stability are emerging as rate increases slow and predictability improves for buyers. However, underwriting discipline and selective capacity deployment remain key market characteristics. In response to ongoing pressures, many organizations have increased risk retention through higher deductibles, self-insured retentions, captives and other alternative financing structures, while excess liability underwriting trends continue to drive reconsideration of primary liability limits.
Although conditions are improving, long-term success will require proactive planning, disciplined retention strategies and ongoing evaluation of liability limits and financing alternatives. Organizations that take a holistic approach to casualty risk management will be best positioned to manage their total cost of risk and achieve sustainable program outcomes.
Disclaimer
WTW hopes you found the general information provided here informative and helpful. The information contained herein is not intended to constitute legal or other professional advice and should not be relied upon in lieu of consultation with your own legal advisors. In the event you would like more information regarding your insurance coverage, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. In North America, WTW offers insurance products through licensed entities, including Willis Towers Watson Northeast, Inc. (in the United States) and Willis Canada Inc. (in Canada).
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