Market News
US Commercial Insurance Price Growth Slows to 0.5 Percent
US commercial insurance prices rose just 0.5 percent in the second quarter of 2026, according to Willis Towers Watson. Most lines recorded increases, although pricing moderated broadly. Commercial property posted the largest decrease, while excess and umbrella liability had the largest increases. Large accounts recorded their first price decline since 2017. Learn More
Latin American Reinsurance Market Sustains Growth in Soft Cycle
Latin America's reinsurance market continues to grow despite prolonged soft conditions, according to AM Best. Abundant capacity is helping insurers strengthen catastrophe protection, while casualty, specialty, life, and health reinsurance expand. Brazil remains a key market as insurers increasingly cede premiums offshore amid an evolving regulatory environment and economic uncertainty. Learn More
VCIA Opens Annual Captive Insurance Benchmarking Survey
The Vermont Captive Insurance Association (VCIA) is seeking industry feedback through the "VCIA Annual Benchmarking Survey." Developed with Vermont regulatory and economic development officials, the survey examines trends, challenges, and opportunities affecting captive insurance. Responses will help inform regulatory support, economic development initiatives, VCIA advocacy, education, and member programming for the industry. Read More
Key Trends Shaping the Captive Insurance Market in 2026
Captive insurance activity remained strong in early 2026 as established and emerging domiciles expanded. Middle-market organizations increasingly considered group captives and medical stop-loss, while mature captive owners focused on optimization, new coverage lines, multiyear programs, improved analytics, and more efficient uses of capital amid evolving regulatory and fronting requirements. Read More
Glossary Spotlight: Admitted or Authorized Reinsurance
Admitted or authorized reinsurance allows a ceding insurer to receive statutory credit when reinsurance meets applicable regulatory requirements. In captive insurance programs, a reinsurer's regulatory status can affect fronting arrangements, collateral obligations, liquidity, and the treatment of reinsurance recoverables on the ceding insurer's statutory financial statements. Read More
US Property-Casualty Insurers Post $31.7 Billion Underwriting Gain
US property-casualty insurers posted a $31.7 billion underwriting gain in the first half of 2026 as catastrophe losses declined and investment income increased. The industry's combined ratio improved to 92.7, but Verisk and APCIA said insurers continue to face significant catastrophe exposure, rising casualty claim severity and competitive market pressures. Read More
Pharmacy Risk Highlights Captive Insurance's Role in Enterprise Risk Management
Rising pharmacy costs, advanced therapies, and evolving pharmacy benefit manager arrangements are creating significant risks for employers. Captive owners can address these exposures through enterprise-level decisions about risk retention, transfer, and mitigation. Better data, clinical intervention, specialized consultation, and employee education can support favorable health outcomes while managing financial volatility more effectively. Read More