AM Best


AM BestTV: Commercial Automobile Writers Hampered by Medical Costs, Loss Trends, Says AM Best Associate Director


CONTACTS:

Lee McDonald
Group Vice President, Publication and News Services
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5561
lee.mcdonald@ambest.com


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OLDWICK - MAY 09, 2019 10:05 AM (EDT)
In this AMBestTV episode, David Blades, associate director, AM Best, said large gaps in performance are emerging among U.S. commercial automobile writers, limiting some insurers’ ability to respond to market pressures. Click on http://www.ambest.com/v.asp?v=commercialauto519 to view the entire program.

For 2019, AM Best is maintaining a negative market segment outlook on the commercial automobile segment. Blades addressed some of the reasons for the negative outlook.

“Inadequate rates in conjunction with adverse prior loss reserve development have been two big keys that have continually plagued the marketplace and have definitely caused poor results,” said Blades. “Additionally, medical cost inflation from diagnoses, medications, surgeries and the higher cost of automobile repairs, all associated with accidents have increased the loss severity.”

Blades also spoke about what changes would cause AM Best to consider revising its negative outlook on the segment.

“There would have to be underwriting and pricing changes, along with risk selection,” said Blades. “Changes in things that are impacting claim costs and expenses. Having all those factors come together and actually start having some impact on the bottom line. Also, adverse losses or prior year losses moving in a more positive direction. These are the things that would factor into AM Best considering a change in its overall outlook.”

To access a copy of this market segment report, titled, “U.S. Commercial Automobile Results Continue to Deteriorate,” visit http://www3.ambest.com/bestweek/purchase.asp?record_code=284139 .

Recent AMBestTV episodes:


  • Broader Economy, Repair Costs Influence Personal Automobile Sector, Say AM Best Analysts: Raymond Thomson, director, and Samuel Hanig, senior industry research analyst, AM Best, said results for personal automobile insurers will in part depend on gas prices, employment levels and medical costs: http://www.ambest.com/v.asp?v=personalauto419 .

  • A Key to Underwriting Cyber Risk Is Getting the Right Data, Says Panel: At RIMS, a panel examines the state of cyber risk modeling, including how insurers are learning to deal with so-called silent cyber and other developments: http://www.ambest.com/v.asp?v=cyberpanel419 .

  • Investors in Emerging Markets Are Embracing Political Risk Coverage, Say Panel: At RIMS, a panel of political risk insurance experts said private equity firms and other investors are increasing their use of political risk insurance to protect their investments across a range of regions: http://www.ambest.com/v.asp?v=politicalriskpanel419 .

  • Experts See Insurtechs as Enablers and Amazon as Potential Disruptor, Says Panel: At RIMS, a panel of senior insurance leaders said the industry would be wise to think about where Amazon might enter the space, then figure out how to beat it there: http://www.ambest.com/v.asp?v=ceopanel419 .

AM BestTV covers exclusive AM Best and insurance industry information and reports, targeted topics and key developments in the insurance, reinsurance and related sectors daily. Sign up for alerts of episodes at http://www.ambest.com/multimedia/ambtvsignup.html . View AM BestTV episodes at http://www.ambest.tv .

AM Best is a global rating agency and information provider with a unique focus on the insurance industry.