Marketscout barometer of US personal lines rates +5% Q3 2020 and up to 40% in catastrophe exposed areas

The latest MarketScout barometer shows an improving market for nationwide risks but a hardening market in catastrophe exposed householders, as explained by MarketScout's CEO Richard Kerr:

"The composite rate is measured on millions of insureds across the United States in low risk areas. Conversely, homeowners in California and coastal areas of Florida are suffering massive rate increases. If an insured owns a home in high risk wildfire or hurricane areas and has suffered prior losses, rate increases can be as high as 40 percent. Many admitted insurers are avoiding taking risk in these areas, thereby, driving insureds to the non-admitted market. Since there is less regulation for non-admitted insurers, they can restrict coverage and charge higher rates.”

Their thermometer below illustrates the composite situation for US nationwide personal lines: