A.M. Best reported on 4/25/05 that “the U.S. property/casualty industry reported improved operating results in 2004 for the second straight year,” and that “for the first time since 1978, underwriting results were profitable, with a combined ratio of 97.9.”
Invested assets were up 17% from 2003, and surplus grew at a 13.5% rate, and return on equity reached 10.8%. The 2004 results reflect growth of earned premiums derived from peak pricing in 2003. However, A.M. Best projects that increasing price competition may slow growth to 4.7% in the coming year. “Strong pricing and restrictive policy terms and conditions over the past two years have played a major role in the industry’s outstanding underwriting performance, and insurers will need to continue their prudent underwriting practices as rates soften.”

The Shigley Law Firm represents plaintiffs in wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases statewide in Georgia, and in other states subject to the multijurisdictional practice and pro hac vice rules in each state. Ken Shigley was designated as a “SuperLawyer” in Atlanta Magazine and one of the “Legal Elite” in Georgia Trend Magazine. He is a Certified Civil Trial Advocate of the National Board of Trial Advocacy, Chair of the Southeastern Motor Carrier Liability Institute and former chair of the Georgia Insurance Law Institute. He particularly focuses on cases arising from truck wrecks and accidents (tractor trailers truck wrecks, semi truck wrecks,18 wheeler truck wrecks, big rig truck wrecks, log truck wrecks, dump truck wrecks).