Guests discuss how social inflation impacts auto insurance, rising jury awards & settlement amounts, challenges in insuring California and Florida, shifting from weak to strong pricing in the market, and the investment opportunity in insurers like the Hartford.
Rising auto insurance premiums driven by social inflation concerns and legal industry impact.
Insurance industry challenges from post-pandemic supply chain disruptions and labor shortages.
Deep dives
Increasing Auto Insurance Premiums and Social Inflation
Auto insurance premiums have risen by 20.6% annually in January, according to the CPI. A key concern is social inflation, where rising jury and settlement awards inflate costs. This trend is amplified by legal advertisement proliferation and litigation finance industry growth. The insurance industry faces challenges adjusting to these inflationary trends.
Factors Driving Elevated Insurance Prices
Insurance rates have outpaced CPI due to supply chain disruptions and labor shortages post-pandemic. Property and casualty sectors experience higher loss-cost trends. Factors like housing shortages, labor market tightness, and social inflation contribute to increased insurance costs.
Reinsurance Market Dynamics and Capital in the Insurance Industry
Reinsurance market capital remains relatively stable at around $100 billion, attracting more investments. Despite inflationary pressures, reinsurance price increases have leveled off in recent times. Factors like increasing investment income and good underwriting help insurance companies navigate market cycles.