US commercial premiums grew 2% in the first quarter of this year, according to consultants Towers Watson.

The largest price rises were recorded in the commercial auto line, followed by employment practice liability.

Price rises for other lines were in the low single digits.

“Commercial insurers still report favourable loss ratio trends in aggregate, even after many quarters of slowing price increases,” Property and Casualty Insurance Practice Director Alejandra Nolibos said.

“However, price increases are barely offsetting loss cost inflation in some lines… we may start to see pressure on the bottom line as reserve redundancies dry up.”

The loss ratio movement builds on an estimated improvement of nearly 2% from 2013/14.