Average rates for US property and casualty insurance were flat last month after a 1% rise in July, according to analyst MarketScout.

“Again, it appears soft markets are not as soft as they once were and hard markets aren’t as hard,” CEO Richard Kerr said. “The cycles are moderating, probably because underwriters have so many tools to assure pricing is appropriate.”

Commercial property and commercial auto were the only commercial classes with rate rises last month, at 1% and 2% respectively. Remaining commercial lines including general liability and workers’ compensation were flat.

Rates for “small” accounts worth up to $US25,000 ($35,731), “medium” accounts up to $US250,000 ($357,324) and “large” accounts up to $US1 million ($1.43 million) were flat.

Rates on “jumbo” accounts of more than $US1 million fell 3%.

Premiums for personal lines gained 2%.

Rates for automobiles and home policies increased 2%, while personal articles remained flat.