2 min read
How to Prevent Roof Collapse from Snow and Ice
Topics: Construction Commercial Risk Management Unison Risk Advisors
2 min read
2025 Fall Commercial State of the Market
The commercial insurance market continues to shift as we approach the end of 2025. In Q2, average premiums increased by 3.7% across account sizes, marking the 31st consecutive quarter of upward movement. While some lines are stabilizing or softening, others remain under pressure due to litigation trends, economic factors and emerging risks. Businesses must stay informed and proactive to secure favorable terms and manage evolving exposures effectively. Explore what’s shaping insurance decisions and outcomes for your organization.
➡️ Download the full Fall 2025 Commercial State of the Market Report.
To view trends from earlier this year and evaluate how market strategies may have evolved, check out our Spring 2025 State of the Market Report.
Commercial Property
The Commercial Property market is entering a more favorable phase after a prolonged period of hardening. While carriers continue to apply rate increases, the pace has slowed significantly. Average premium increases dropped to 1.9% in Q2 2025, representing a nearly 70% decrease from Q2 2024.
This softening is largely attributed to increased reinsurance capital and expanded capacity, which have helped stabilize the market. Builders Risk coverage continues to be impacted by inflation concerns tied to tariffs on imported construction materials, which could drive up repair and replacement costs. Despite active wildfire and storm seasons, most losses have been concentrated in the Personal Insurance market, and the anticipated hurricane season has been milder than expected. These factors have contributed to a more stable outlook for Commercial Property heading into 2026.
Umbrella/Excess Liability
The Umbrella and Excess Liability market remains one of the most challenging areas for insureds in 2025. Leading all lines in premium increases for Q2, Umbrella coverage rose by an average of 11.5%, driven by ongoing litigation trends and a surge in nuclear and thermonuclear verdicts.
The market continues to grapple with social inflation, aggressive legal strategies and third-party litigation funding, all of which are contributing to higher claim severity and frequency. Capacity constraints are also becoming more pronounced with carriers tightening their underwriting standards. Insurers are prioritizing accounts with strong risk management practices and exploring innovative program structures to maintain profitability.
Industry Spotlights
- Education: Liability lines remain hard, driven by social inflation, litigation financing and rising mental health-related claims. Cyber coverage is beginning to firm, though strategic remarketing can still yield favorable outcomes.
- Healthcare: Healthcare organizations continue to face a complex risk landscape shaped by staffing shortages, litigation trends and financial pressures. Underwriting strategies are evolving in response.
- Mergers & Acquisitions: Deal activity is gaining momentum, fueled by strategic buyers and global private equity. While economic uncertainty lingers, available capital suggests potential for increased transactions ahead.
- Real Estate: Property placements are softening, but liability remains challenged due to social inflation, nuclear verdicts and litigation funding. Underwriting discipline and proactive risk management are critical.
Reach Out to an Advisor
In today’s shifting insurance landscape, staying ahead of market trends and emerging risks is more important than ever. Whether you’re evaluating coverage options, preparing for renewals or navigating complex exposures, Unison Risk Advisors is here to support your strategy. Our team brings deep industry insight and a proactive approach to help you make confident, informed decisions that protect your organization and position it for long-term success.
Topics: Construction Commercial Risk Management Unison Risk Advisors manufacturing HHS
3 min read
Supply Chain Risk & Business Interruption Insurance
Topics: Construction Commercial Risk Management Unison Risk Advisors manufacturing
2 min read
The Details Matter: Nuances to Insurance Coverage in the Construction Industry
Construction industry participants face exposure to risks arising from the professional services that are required to design and construct a particular project. Professional liability insurance is a common tool used by contractors and designers to transfer risks from errors and omissions in the provision of professional services to third party insurers in exchange for payment of the policy premium. For design professionals these policies provide coverage for losses arising out of errors and omissions in professional design services such as those that result in the development of plans and specifications, as well as those arising from defective contract administration and consulting. Contractors purchase these policies to provide coverage largely to cover exposures from defective construction management.
Topics: Risk Management Construction Construction & Surety
6 min read
Indemnification Language in Construction Contracts
Indemnification is a concept whereby one party contractually agrees or is otherwise legally obligated to bear the financial risks of another party. These parties are respectively known as the indemnitor and indemnitee. The construction industry relies on indemnification clauses to manage and transfer risk. Consider some of the common indemnification provisions that may be encountered in construction contracts.
Topics: Construction Contract Review
1 min read
National Work Zone Awareness Week
Each year, National Work Zone Awareness Week brings attention to these safety, mobility, and constructability issues. As a driver, you must use extra caution in work zones to keep yourself and others safe.
Topics: Construction Construction & Surety Commercial Risk Management Risk Management Services WhatsTheRisk
3 min read
National Safety Stand-Down: Prevent Falls In Construction
Protecting your employees against falls is one of the most important things you can do to ensure their safety. Year after year falls from elevation are the leading cause of death in construction, with fall protection continually being ranked first on the list of OSHA’s most frequently cited violations. You can help put a stop to these accidents by educating your employees on fall hazards and proper safety measures - not only during the National Safety Stand-Down, but throughout the entire year.
Topics: Risk Management Construction
2 min read
National Work Zone Awareness Week
National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) is upon us. This year’s theme is Work Zone Safety: Everybody’s Responsibility. With warmer weather comes roadwork season. As we hit the road, it is important we are aware and alert while driving in work zones. This protects workers and ourselves.
Topics: Risk Management Construction Risk Management Services
2 min read
Group Captives for Contractors
Group captives continue to be a viable alternative to traditional casualty insurance programs for construction firms across the country. Once reserved for firms with annual revenues more than $100 million, captives are now available to firms with annual revenues of $25 million – and in some circumstances less.
Topics: Risk Management Construction
3 min read
Surety And The Sale: Ownership Transitions And The Impact To Surety Credit
For the near term, today’s construction landscape appears to be stable. However, with the recession still in our rear-view mirror, a relatively slow recovery underway, an aging workforce, limited numbers of younger folks joining the trades, and many construction company owners nearing retirement age - the smell of transition is in the air.