Commercial insurance pricing in North America will see upward pressure in most lines this year as insurers embrace more disciplined underwriting, a new report finds.

Increases are apparent after decades of calls for underwriting and pricing discipline among the carrier community, according to broker Willis Towers Watson.

The shift in insurer attitudes means tighter pricing and underwriting guidelines will be noticeable across different lines.

“Insurers are taking steps to return to underwriting profitability and we are seeing price firming almost universally,” Head of Broking North America Joe Peiser said.

“While it may be more prominent in some lines of business, the firming trend applies even in more benign areas.”

The Insurance Marketplace Realities report series – issued each October and always updated six months later – offers property and casualty analysis and rate forecasts to guide North American insurance buyers before renewals.

The latest update shows supply-side pressures on buyers for the remainder of this year. Prices in 10 lines of business have been revised further upward since the October report.

In property, buyers can expect across-the-board increases, with catastrophe pricing forecast to rise 5-10%. Tightened underwriting guidelines may restrict many coverage terms previously offered.

Deteriorating loss trends affecting underwriter profitability in commercial liability may see prices rise as much as 4%, although workers’ compensation pricing may buck the trend.

Motor liability rate increases are expected for the third consecutive year of 6-12%. Directors’ and officers’ placements are forecast to be between flat and up 10%.

In cyber insurance, overall pricing is forecast to range from down 3% to up 5%.