Of all the coverage classes, only commercial property, business income and crime posted any increase and both were at 1 percent.

Other entities, such as London-based Benfield reinsurance brokers, also see rising pricing as evidenced by Bermuda carrier figures, which are biased toward property catastrophe coverage.

While Bermuda insurers' profits rose for the first quarter, total premium actually declined as stricter capital requirements and more disciplined underwriting led to some cutbacks by carriers, according to Benfield analyst Chris Klein.

But some companies may have been holding back capacity in anticipation of a tight June and July renewal season, he added.

According to MarketScout figures, umbrella/excess coverage showed the greatest decline at 9 percent, while general liability insurance rates dipped 7 percent.

The rate of decline for workers' compensation pricing slowed to 5 percent in June compared to 7 percent in May.

"This is possibly a reflection of some new insurers' realization of higher than anticipated claims activity," Mr. Kerr said.

Directors and officers and employment practices liability insurance showed declines of 1 percent last month, MarketScout found.

In terms of account size, those jumbo accounts with over $1 million in premium enjoyed the sharpest declines at 10 percent, with medium and large accounts between $25,000 and $1 million seeing rates declining 8 percent. Small accounts decreased by about 7 percent.

By industry class, manufacturing posted rate declines averaging 8 percent, while the service sector incurred rates on average 6 percent lower.

Once again, energy companies faced rate hikes of about 7 percent followed by habitational coverages, which were up 6 percent.