2022 Insurance Rate Changes – Commercial Property Executive

While 2022 began with the hope for a “return to normal” in real estate, uncertainty on a global scale has returned to remind us that we live in very interesting times. For real estate owners and operators, this means they will need to continue to position themselves to maximize opportunities while staying attuned to the potential impacts of geopolitical turbulence and the on-going threat of COVID-19.

Owners who want to reduce their exposure and increase resiliency will need to engage both new tech and traditional controls across their portfolio—regardless of location, property use and catastrophe exposure.

New challenges. New opportunities.

For some commercial properties, losses and vacancies have brought new opportunities to every market—including repurposing, wherein an unprofitable asset can be reimagined and rebuilt anew. Owners and operators eager to repurpose property need to remember that when a building’s purpose changes, so does its risk. Evaluating those new risks and coverages with a broker is an absolute must when repurposing.

While some real estate sectors—entertainment, institutions and to a lesser extent, retail—are seeing improvement in business and insurance, most others must continue to grapple with ubiquitous catastrophe exposures, rising liability risk and shifting demand. Residential real estate portfolios in particular face significant challenges. The high frequency of property claims, in particular water damage, continues to affect portfolio owners of multifamily housing.

Along with the lack of major capital upgrades and maintenance, the high frequency of claims has scared off many mainstream carriers, which will only offer coverage for residential properties with higher deductibles and rating. To secure the coverage they need, property owners must paint a picture of risk management and operational controls for underwriters.

Understanding the insurance market for real estate in 2022

To help give real estate owners and operators a sense of how all of this uncertainly is affecting the insurance market and renewal rates, HUB International has produced a 2022 U.S. Real Estate Insurance Market and Rate Report. This proprietary resource contains an analysis of national survey data and interviews with HUB commercial insurance brokers and risk services consultants who specialize in the Real Estate industry.

For 2022, HUB International foresees rate increases for nearly all coverages as carriers seek additional premium to support increased losses and expenses. It’s important for companies to discuss their business’ exposure with their insurance broker and understand what to expect well in advance of the next renewal. Because HUB knows the industry, they can help companies minimize losses, protect their reputation, and help them plan confidently for the future.

Interested in learning more? Download HUB International’s 2022 U.S. Real Estate Insurance Market and Rate Report to see the specific rate changes they anticipate in 2022. Importantly, the report also provides recommendations on how to minimize your business risk and enhance your position with insurance carriers.