This decline was among the most significant globally, attributed to robust market capacity, heightened competition among insurers, and steady reinsurer involvement.
India saw some of the most significant reductions across key insurance categories.
Property insurance rates decreased by as much as 45% in certain segments, while directors and officers (D&O) liability rates fell by approximately 30%, and cyber insurance rates dropped by around 30%.
The report indicated that this trend was supported by strong backing from reinsurers, increased participation from insurers, and relatively stable claims environments.
In the broader IMEA region, property insurance rates saw a decline of about 10%, while casualty insurance rates decreased by 7%, and financial and professional lines dropped by 6%.
Regionally, cyber insurance faced a 14% decrease, the largest among major categories, buoyed by increasing capacity and new market entrants, especially in the Middle East.
On a global scale, commercial insurance rates fell by 5% in Q1 2026, marking the seventh consecutive quarter of decline following an extended period of increases over the prior seven years. The report attributed this ongoing softening to heightened competition among insurers, favorable loss conditions, and growing market capacity across most product lines.
According to Marsh India experts, the current pricing landscape in India reflects strong supply-side competition, but businesses may also take this opportunity to reevaluate risk transfer strategies and coverage frameworks as economic activity and asset values increase.
While pricing trends remain generally soft across various regions, the report highlighted that geopolitical tensions in certain parts of the Middle East continue to impact capacity and claims activity in specific insurance lines.
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First Published: May 8, 2026 11:33 AM IST