US premiums in three out of four lines of business are on the rise again, according to the latest Risk Management Society’s (RIMS) Benchmark Survey.

The survey finds general liability premiums were up 1.2% during the third quarter.

Property premiums grew 1.6% and workers’ compensation rose by 2.1% during the quarter.

The only category to suffer a fall was directors’ and officers’ liability, where premiums were down 1.9%.

RIMS director Frederick Savage says the market has been near the bottom so a rise in premiums wasn’t unexpected.

“Indications have been strong during the past couple of quarters that the [US] market was near bottom, so it’s not surprising to see premiums drifting upward a bit now,” he said.

“The market is still quite competitive, with average premiums showing modest increases, but it seems pricing generally is still quite favourable in most lines.”

Mr Savage says there is still plenty of capacity in the market and that should dampen rate increases in the future.