US commercial and personal line rates rose last month, but the markets are still categorised as flat by insurance exchange MarketScout.

Property and casualty rates grew 4% compared with February 2012, MarketScout’s latest barometer shows.

When rates rise 5%, it will categorise the market as “adjusting upward”.

Commercial property cover grew 6%, business interruption 3%, commercial auto 5% and directors’ and officers’ liability 4%.

Personal lines increased 3%, with home, contents and auto all rising by the same percentage.

Premiums on personal lines were slightly more competitive, which is usual in February when the catastrophe season is over for most parts of the US, MarketScout CEO Richard Kerr says.