The results represent data compiled from more than 1,400 organizations, the largest number of respondents in 20 years of benchmark surveys, Advisen said.

A RIMS statement said that declines occurred across most major lines and represented the third consecutive quarter in which average premiums dropped in one or more major lines.

The survey found that in the third quarter, the majority of D&O policies renewed at comparable or lower rates than in the previous year?58.3 percent reported decreases in the third quarter versus 42.1 percent in the second quarter. For domestic property, 68.4 percent reported decreases compared to 58.1 percent in the second quarter. General liability was down slightly at 43.8 percent compared to 43.2 percent in second quarter.

Workers' comp increased slightly by 1.54 percent?61.5 percent showed increases compared to 56.3 percent in the second quarter, according to Advisen.

It was the second straight quarter in which the number of lower-priced policies outpaced those with price increases, RIMS said.

"The resilience of this soft market is certainly clear from the pervasive price declines across the major lines," said Daniel H. Kugler, RIMS vice president, membership.

For another quarter, he added, most policy renewals were less expensive than last year and prices across the board on most lines have declined. "As we predicted last quarter, we still believe these declines will continue at least through the end of the year," he noted.

The survey results indicated that most major insurance lines experienced price declines. It also marked a significant downturn for fiduciary liability, which had experienced healthy increases all year.

Premium prices for property, excess liability and fiduciary liability coverages all dropped between two and three percent. Directors and officers and general liability premiums dropped by slightly less than one percent.

"The numbers this quarter firmly declare that we are experiencing a soft market, though the declines are not excessive in any segment," said David Bradford, editor-in-chief at Advisen.

He said that most underwriters are losing more pricing negotiations than they are winning. "The key questions remain: Will premium rates get much lower? And how long will the soft market last beyond 2004?" he asked.

Risk managers who contribute insurance schedule data to the survey can benchmark both the structure of their commercial insurance programs and the cost of insuring their risk against a highly-relevant group of similar companies.

Additionally, survey respondents can use customized software to view detailed schedules of insurance programs for current and past years and to create full-color charts. Both benchmark charts and program charts download for presentations to their senior management.

The results of the RIMS Benchmark Survey are available online, published continuously throughout the year, RIMS said, and in a book, published once each year. For details visit www.rims.org/benchmark.