WTW: US Commercial Rates Continue Moderation With 2.5% Increase in Q1

U.S. commercial insurance rates increased 2.5% in the first quarter 2026, according to the latest WTW Commercial Lines Insurance Pricing Survey (CLIPS).

“The first quarter results reflect a continuation of the moderating pricing environment observed over recent quarters,” said Yi Jing, managing director, Insurance Consulting and Technology (ICT), WTW. “While Commercial Auto and Excess/Umbrella Liability continue to experience the largest increases, the pace of those increases has eased, with pricing trends across much of the market remaining stable.”

According to prior results, Q1 was the third consecutive quarter of moderating rate increases. Rates increased 2.9% in Q4 2025 and nearly 3.3% for Q3 2025.

The survey compared price changes on policies underwritten in Q1 2026 with policies with the same coverage in Q1 2025.

According to the survey, moderate to significant price increases were seen in Q1 in all commercial lines except workers compensation, directors & officers, property, and cyber. Commercial auto rate increases fell below double digits for the first time since the Q3 2023.

Excess/umbrella liability remained the line with the largest price increases though lower than the prior quarter.