For the first time since the third quarter 2017, respondents to a recent quarterly survey said average premiums decreased across all account sizes.
During the first three months of 2026, The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers (CIAB)’s market survey found premiums decreased an average of 1.2% across all accounts.
Large account premiums fell an average of 2.7% while medium account premiums fell 1.9%. Small account premiums increased 1.1%, a 60% decrease from Q4 2025’s rise of 2.8%.
Results for Q1 continue a trend. Overall results for Q4 2025 included an average increases in premiums for all account sizes rose of just 0.2%.
Premiums during Q1 for nine lines of business decreased: business interruption, commercial property, construction risks, cyber, D&O, employment practices, marine, terrorism, and workers compensation. Of those lines, commercial property premiums declined the most, by an average of 5.8%. Non-catastrophe property saw the biggest relief in premiums and underwriting terms and conditions.
“Numerous respondents reported the common signs of a soft market: lower pricing, more flexibility in underwriting terms, more overall appetite, including for business they may have been rejected at previous renewals,” CIAB said.
For the third straight quarter, commercial auto premiums increased the most of all lines at 5.8%. The line has seen increases every quarter for nearly 5 years, due to factors such as distracted driving and congested roads leading to high claims frequency. Social inflation and nuclear verdicts amplified claim severity, said CIAB, citing AM Best.
Howden US is again being sued by a rival broker over another group of new employees who are alleged to have breached loyalty and post-employment contractual obligations.
According to a lawsuit filed May 19 in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida by Willis Towers Watson Northeast, former members of its marine team specializing in broking insurance for high net-worth owners and managers of high-end yachts all resigned to join Howden US “consistent with Howden’s playbook of hiring entire teams from other insurance brokerage companies and having those former employees violate their duties of loyalty while still employed and then breach their post-employment restrictive covenants.”
The Broward County, Florida-based unit of WTW is seeking damages, and preliminary and permanent injunctions against the team—Nancy Poppe, Diana Fabozzi, Jasmyn Tomlinson, Kathleen Shea, and Christel Lynn Lincoln.
Poppe was senior director-broking for WTWNE. According to the suit, she is now employed by Howden US as practice head of yachts and chair of Howden superyachts. She resigned from her former employer on Dec. 22, 2025 but is alleged to have contacted members of her team before resigning. According to the suit, Lincoln also resigned on Dec. 22, 2025.
Poppe allegedly sent an email to clients announcing her resignation “for the purpose of soliciting these clients’ business on behalf of Howden.”
