While it might seem like insurance is a quiet, steady sector, the numbers reveal a market in the midst of a seismic shift, with the global P&C industry swelling to a staggering $2.98 trillion in direct premiums last year and being projected to hit $4.1 trillion by 2030, driven by record-breaking catastrophe losses, regional expansions, and transformative technological integrations.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, the global Property & Casualty (P&C) insurance market size reached approximately $2.98 trillion in direct premiums written, reflecting a 6.8% year-over-year growth driven by rising catastrophe losses and inflation.
- The US P&C insurance industry wrote $802.5 billion in direct premiums in 2023, up 10.2% from $728.6 billion in 2022, fueled by auto and commercial lines.
- Europe's P&C market expanded to €1.15 trillion in gross written premiums in 2023, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.1% from 2019-2023.
- In 2023, global P&C net premiums earned grew 5.4% to $2.45 trillion.
- US P&C net premiums written increased 8.7% to $682 billion in 2023.
- Commercial P&C lines in the US generated $320 billion in direct premiums in 2023, up 9.5%.
- US P&C incurred losses totaled $678 billion in 2023, with a loss ratio of 62.1%.
- Catastrophe losses globally for P&C reached $125 billion in 2023, highest on record.
- US severe convective storm losses hit $50 billion in 2023 for P&C insurers.
- US P&C combined ratio averaged 101.2% in 2023, indicating underwriting losses.
- US P&C net underwriting gain was -$8.5 billion in 2023.
- Investment income for US P&C insurers hit $85 billion in 2023, up 25%.
- Private passenger auto insurance held 34% of US P&C premiums in 2023 at $275 billion.
- Homeowners insurance comprised 12% of US P&C market with $95 billion premiums in 2023.
- Commercial multi-peril segment: 11% share, $88 billion US 2023.
The global P&C insurance market grew significantly in 2023 but faced record catastrophe losses.
Claims and Losses
- US P&C incurred losses totaled $678 billion in 2023, with a loss ratio of 62.1%.
- Catastrophe losses globally for P&C reached $125 billion in 2023, highest on record.
- US severe convective storm losses hit $50 billion in 2023 for P&C insurers.
- Auto liability claims frequency in US rose 3.2% to 72 claims per 100 insured vehicles in 2023.
- Average auto claim severity in US increased 12.5% to $25,000 in 2023.
- Homeowners claims in US averaged $14,200 per claim in 2023, up 18% YoY.
- Workers' comp claim costs rose 6.1% to $42,000 per lost-time claim in 2023 US.
- Commercial property claims losses in US: $120 billion in 2023, loss ratio 68%.
- Cyber claims globally paid out $2.9 billion in 2023, up 50% from 2022.
- Liability claims incurred worldwide: $420 billion in 2023 for P&C.
- US fire losses totaled $38 billion in 2023, with insurers paying 42%.
- Flood claims in US P&C reached $15 billion in 2023, excluding NFIP.
- Average workers' comp indemnity benefit: $45,200 in 2023 US.
- Medical malpractice claims frequency fell 2.1% to 18 per 1,000 physicians in 2023.
- Hurricane claims in US P&C: $28 billion from Idalia and others in 2023.
- Global nat-cat losses: $280 billion in 2023, insured portion 45%.
- US auto theft claims up 15% to 1.2 million in 2023.
- Property fraud claims cost US P&C $40 billion in 2023.
- Commercial auto claim severity: $32,500 average in US 2023.
- Boiler and machinery claims: $3.1 billion paid in US 2023.
Claims and Losses Interpretation
Despite a dizzying array of catastrophes and rising claim costs squeezing the industry from all sides in 2023, insurers are still standing, but they're paying out at a rate that suggests their umbrella is getting rather expensive to hold up.
Market Size and Growth
- In 2023, the global Property & Casualty (P&C) insurance market size reached approximately $2.98 trillion in direct premiums written, reflecting a 6.8% year-over-year growth driven by rising catastrophe losses and inflation.
- The US P&C insurance industry wrote $802.5 billion in direct premiums in 2023, up 10.2% from $728.6 billion in 2022, fueled by auto and commercial lines.
- Europe's P&C market expanded to €1.15 trillion in gross written premiums in 2023, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.1% from 2019-2023.
- Asia-Pacific P&C premiums grew 7.5% to $1.2 trillion in 2023, led by China and India due to economic recovery and urbanization.
- The global P&C insurance market is projected to reach $4.1 trillion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.2% from 2024-2030, per industry forecasts.
- In 2022, North American P&C market share accounted for 38% of global non-life premiums, totaling $1.13 trillion.
- UK P&C gross written premiums hit £242 billion in 2023, a 5.9% increase, with motor insurance dominating at 32% share.
- Japan's P&C market contracted by 0.8% to ¥13.2 trillion in 2023 due to yen depreciation impacts on foreign reinsurance.
- Latin America's P&C premiums reached $120 billion in 2023, growing 8.4% amid climate risk increases.
- The Middle East and Africa P&C market grew 9.2% to $85 billion in 2023, driven by Saudi Vision 2030 initiatives.
- Global P&C market penetration rate stood at 3.8% of GDP in 2023, up from 3.5% in 2020.
- US P&C insurers held $1.25 trillion in policyholder surplus as of year-end 2023, a record high.
- China's P&C premiums surged 9.1% to RMB 2.1 trillion in 2023, with auto insurance comprising 62%.
- Australia's P&C market totaled AUD 65 billion in 2023, growing 12% post-flood recovery.
- Canada's P&C direct premiums written reached CAD 85 billion in 2023, up 7.3% YoY.
- Global P&C market saw 1,200 new entrants between 2018-2023, primarily insurtechs.
- US P&C market concentration: top 10 groups wrote 52% of premiums in 2023.
- Indian P&C premiums grew 12.5% to INR 2.55 lakh crore in FY2023-24.
- South Korea's P&C market expanded 4.2% to KRW 50 trillion in 2023.
- Brazil's P&C premiums hit BRL 150 billion in 2023, up 11% with agribusiness focus.
Market Size and Growth Interpretation
Even as catastrophes and inflation inflate premiums, turning global risk into a nearly $3 trillion industry, the resilience (and premium growth) of P&C insurance proves the world is increasingly paying for the privilege of being nervous.
Premiums and Revenues
- In 2023, global P&C net premiums earned grew 5.4% to $2.45 trillion.
- US P&C net premiums written increased 8.7% to $682 billion in 2023.
- Commercial P&C lines in the US generated $320 billion in direct premiums in 2023, up 9.5%.
- Personal lines P&C premiums in US reached $482 billion in 2023, growing 10.8% YoY.
- Auto physical damage premiums in US totaled $180 billion in 2023, a 14.2% rise.
- Homeowners insurance premiums in US averaged $1,700 per policy in 2023, up 20% from 2022.
- Workers' compensation premiums in US grew 5.1% to $62 billion in 2023.
- Commercial multi-peril premiums in US hit $85 billion in 2023, up 7.9%.
- Liability insurance premiums globally reached $650 billion in 2023, growing 6.2%.
- Reinsurance premiums for P&C globally increased 12% to $280 billion in 2023.
- US group health crossover to P&C accident/health premiums: $45 billion in 2023.
- Cyber insurance premiums worldwide surged 25% to $15 billion in 2023.
- Fire and allied lines premiums in US grew 11.3% to $42 billion in 2023.
- Allied lines premiums in US reached $110 billion in 2023, up 15.4%.
- Ocean marine premiums in US totaled $4.2 billion in 2023, growing 6.8%.
- Aircraft premiums globally hit $12 billion in 2023, up 8.1% post-pandemic.
- Farmowners multiple peril premiums in US: $8.5 billion in 2023, +7.2%.
- Medical malpractice premiums in US grew 4.5% to $11 billion in 2023.
- Other liability premiums in US reached $95 billion in 2023, up 9.8%.
Premiums and Revenues Interpretation
While insurance premiums are climbing impressively across the board, it seems the global appetite for risk has not diminished—it has simply become far more expensive to indemnify.
Segments and Trends
- Private passenger auto insurance held 34% of US P&C premiums in 2023 at $275 billion.
- Homeowners insurance comprised 12% of US P&C market with $95 billion premiums in 2023.
- Commercial multi-peril segment: 11% share, $88 billion US 2023.
- Workers' compensation: 8% of US P&C, $64 billion premiums 2023.
- Cyber insurance penetration reached 5% in large corporates by 2023.
- D&O liability premiums grew 15% to $25 billion globally in 2023.
- Parametric insurance adoption up 40% in agribusiness segment 2023.
- E&S market premiums US: $110 billion in 2023, +22% growth.
- Usage-based insurance policies: 25% of new auto policies in 2023 US.
- Commercial auto segment loss ratio: 92% in US 2023.
- Inland marine premiums: $12 billion US 2023, growing 10%.
- Product liability premiums global: $45 billion in 2023.
- Group accident and health: 6% US P&C share, $48 billion 2023.
- Flood insurance private market: $3 billion premiums US 2023.
- Insurtech funding in P&C: $18 billion globally 2023.
- EV auto insurance premiums 20% higher per policy in US 2023.
- Construction defect claims trend: up 12% in commercial liability 2023.
- Microinsurance P&C policies: 500 million globally in 2023.
- Climate risk modeled losses in property segment: $80 billion US 2023.
Segments and Trends Interpretation
Despite auto insurance's mammoth $275 billion throne, the kingdom of P&C is rapidly fragmenting as underwriters flee to the high ground of specialty lines and parametric models, chased by floods of climate losses and cyber premiums.
Underwriting and Profitability
- US P&C combined ratio averaged 101.2% in 2023, indicating underwriting losses.
- US P&C net underwriting gain was -$8.5 billion in 2023.
- Investment income for US P&C insurers hit $85 billion in 2023, up 25%.
- Overall ROI for US P&C was 10.4% in 2023, boosted by bonds.
- Expense ratio for US P&C averaged 29.8% in 2023.
- Policyholder surplus growth: 7.2% to $1.25 trillion US P&C 2023.
- Capacity surplus for US P&C: 250% of net premiums in 2023.
- Global P&C underwriting profit margin: 2.1% in 2023.
- US auto lines combined ratio: 112.5% in 2023.
- Homeowners combined ratio US: 105.3% in 2023 due to cats.
- Workers' comp combined ratio: 95.8% in US 2023.
- Commercial casualty combined ratio: 102.1% US 2023.
- Reinsurers' combined ratio global P&C: 98.4% in 2023.
- US P&C operating ratio: 92.5% in 2023.
- Dividend payouts by US P&C: $15 billion in 2023.
- Leverage ratio for US P&C: 2.8:1 net premiums to surplus 2023.
- Quick liquidity ratio US P&C: 180% in 2023.
- Net income for top 25 US P&C groups: $62 billion in 2023.
- US private passenger auto rate change: +18.5% approved in 2023.
- Commercial property rate hikes averaged 9.2% globally in 2023 renewals.
Underwriting and Profitability Interpretation
Despite the industry's knack for losing money hand over fist on actual insurance, the soaring investment income paints a rather charming portrait of insurers as heavily subsidized, high-capacity hedge funds with a side hustle in underwriting.
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