Rates for all lines of commercial insurance are continuing to rise, according to a survey released Tuesday by the Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers.

The 157 agents and brokers who participated in the CIAB's Commercial Insurance Market Index for the first quarter of 2002 also reported rate jumps for accounts of all sizes, with increases in the range of 10% to 30% being the most common when comparing current rates to those in January.

Ninety percent of the respondents reported increases of at least 10% in umbrella coverage. In addition, 32% reported increases of 30% to 50%; 18% reported increases of 50% to 100%; and 11% reported increases of more than 100%. Commercial property also hardened considerably, with 89% of the respondents reporting increases of at least 10%. Thirty-four percent reported increases of 30% to 50% for that line; 13% reported increases of 50% to 100%; and 3% reported increases of more than 100%.

Eighty-three percent of the respondents reported increases of at least 10% for general liability; 78% increases of at least 10% for business interruption; 73% increases of at least 10% for commercial automobile; and 66% increases of at least 10% for workers compensation. Thirty-nine percent of the respondents reported increases of at least 10% for surety bonds, though 31% did not respond to that question.

In a statement accompanying the report, CIAB President Ken Crerar said: "We're seeing the trickle-down effect of rate increases. Over the last three months, we have moved beyond (the) initial difficulty with high-profile and high-exposure properties to an environment where the broader marketplace is affected. Though our surveys since January 2000 have shown that harder-market trends began well before Sept. 11, they have really picked up steam since then."

Mr. Crerar said that congressional enactment of terrorism insurance legislation is "needed and needed now."