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Canada Insurance Market Rates

The Global Insurance Market Index is our proprietary measure of commercial insurance rate changes at renewal. Below are insights into the Canadian insurance market.

Q1 2024 

Canada composite rate declines

Insurance rates in Canada declined 2% in the first quarter of 2024.

Canada first quarter 2024

Canada composite insurance rate change 

Canada property

Property insurance market sees increased competition

Property insurance rates were flat.

  • Competition among insurers accelerated.
  • Ample capacity was available from both domestic and international markets.
  • Clients focusing on risk improvement and with favorable loss experience benefited from rate decreases.
  • Certain classes of business — including recycling, forestry, food, and warehousing (especially with automatic retrieval systems) — faced challenges.

Canada casualty

Casualty rates decline overall; auto liability increases

Casualty insurance rates decreased 1%. 

  • Overall, casualty rates decreased in the low-single digits; however, auto liability increased in the low-single digits.
  • Higher increases were seen, on average, for organizations with more complex risks, in energy or heavy industries, and with significant US exposure.
    • US auto claims continued to reach into umbrella and excess layers; in many cases claims costs outpaced rate increases.
  • Insurer exclusions and sub-limits were common, depending on the class of risk, for for per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances, climate change and wildfire, concussion, sexual abuse, and biometrics.

Canada financial and professional lines

Financial and professional lines rates continue to decline

Financial and professional lines rates declined 10%.

  • D&O rates continued to decline.
  • Underwriters remained concerned about macroeconomic issues, including banking sector challenges, labor shortage, supply chain delays, and geopolitical tensions and kept a close eye on companies’ communications with shareholders on these issues.
  • The fiduciary liability market remained challenging for companies with US plan assets due to the impacts of the increased frequency and severity of excessive fee litigation since 2020.
  • The employment practices liability (EPL) market stabilized at the end of 2023 and remained so in the first quarter.

Cyber rates decline amid increased insurer competition

Cyber insurance rates decreased 5%, driven by excess layer premium reductions.

  • New market entrants, increased capacity, and increased insurer competition in excess layers contributed to the decline.
  • The scope of cyber coverage continued to broaden, typically including removal of coinsurance requirements and increasing sub-limits for coverage enhancements.
  • Underwriters continued to look for improvements in cybersecurity controls.

This document and any recommendations, analysis, or advice provided by Marsh (collectively, the ‘Marsh Analysis’) are not intended to be taken as advice regarding any individual situation and should not be relied upon as such. This document contains proprietary, confidential information of Marsh and may not be shared with any third party, including other insurance producers, without Marsh’s prior written consent. Any statements concerning actuarial, tax, accounting, or legal matters are based solely on our experience as insurance brokers and risk consultants and are not to be relied upon as actuarial, accounting, tax, or legal advice, for which you should consult your own professional advisors. Any modelling, analytics, or projections are subject to inherent uncertainty, and the Marsh Analysis could be materially affected if any underlying assumptions, conditions, information, or factors are inaccurate or incomplete or should change. The information contained herein is based on sources we believe reliable, but we make no representation or warranty as to its accuracy. Except as may be set forth in an agreement between you and Marsh, Marsh shall have no obligation to update the Marsh Analysis and shall have no liability to you or any other party with regard to the Marsh Analysis or to any services provided by a third party to you or Marsh. Marsh makes no representation or warranty concerning the application of policy wordings or the financial condition or solvency of insurers or re-insurers. Marsh makes no assurances regarding the availability, cost, or terms of insurance coverage. LCPA 24/187