For the property/casualty (P/C) insurance industry in the first quarter of 2017, the financial weather report (compared with 2016:Q1 and 2015:Q1) was cloudy with occasional bright spots. The clouds: higher CAT claims leading to a deteriorating combined ratio; and continued drop-off in investment yield resulting in a profit slump. The bright spots: stronger net written premium growth; and continued growth in policyholder’s surplus.

The CPI-U—the popular measure of inflation, sometimes called headline inflation—rose by 1.9 percent in May 2017 vs. May 2016, before seasonal adjustment.

Price increases relating to auto insurance property claims have been quite moderate recently. Prices for motor vehicle parts and equipment, which affect not only comprehensive and collision claims, but property damage liability as well, dropped by 0.5 percent in April 2017 vs. April 2016.

The BLS survey of consumer prices for motor vehicle insurance in March 2017 rose by 8.1 percent year-over-year. Of course, many factors other than prices for auto repair—such as the continuing drop in insurers’ investment income, and continuing above-CPI growth in the prices for intensive medical care, and an unusual upturn in the collision rate, which is related to the increase in the number of people employed (and adding cars to rush hour)—likely are affecting these increases.

Price increases relating to auto insurance property claims have been quite moderate recently. Prices for motor vehicle parts and equipment, which affect not only comprehensive and collision claims, but property damage liability as well, dropped by 0.9 percent in February 2017 vs. February 2016.

The CPI-U—the popular measure of inflation, sometimes called headline inflation—rose by 2.5 percent in January 2017 vs. January 2016, before seasonal adjustment.

The property/casualty industry’s financial results for the first three quarters of 2016 were by most measures less successful when compared to the comparable period for 2015.

Both current and expected near-term general inflation continue to be low by historical standards, but there are pockets of rising inflation.

The CPI-U—the popular measure of inflation, sometimes called headline inflation—rose by 1.6 percent in October 2016 vs. October 2015, before seasonal adjustment. However, core inflation—the overall index minus the effects of price changes for food and energy—rose 2.1 percent for the 12 months ending October 2016.