Cory T. Walker, senior vice president, treasurer and chief financial officer, said during an analyst's conference call that higher than expected profit sharing contingent commissions in the second quarter in the wholesale and program divisions increased contingent commissions by $600,000 to $4.6 million.

Core commissions and fees, less revenues from acquired companies, grew 7 percent by $12.8 million. Total core commissions and fees stood at $212.8 million for the quarter.

Reflecting on current market conditions, J. Hyatt Brown, chairman and chief executive officer, said, "every new renewal is a challenge" in Florida, and many property accounts are going into the state's residual market Citizens for wind coverage.

He said it has been a struggle to find people to talk to within Citizens to place business because the fund is so inundated.

"It has more business than it can handle," he noted, and added that the broker has found the people to work with.

Some insurers are insuring large homes in certain areas if they have a value of a half-million or more, but capacity remains very tight, Mr. Brown noted. This is the exception, and even long-term customers are not finding a receptive ear from insurers, he added.

The situation is reflected all along the East and Gulf Coasts, he said, as insurers are pulling capacity in hurricane-susceptible areas. On the West Coast, earthquake insurance has risen 100 to 115 percent, he added.

In the search for capacity, the London markets are offering little, stunned by their losses from Hurricane Wilma, said Mr. Brown. Some syndicates are writing small amounts of cover, he noted.

"We are seeing some capacity beginning to creep out of its bunker," Mr. Brown observed, but added that its applications are based on geography.

On the reinsurance side, there could be some easing in capacity there if there are no new hurricanes striking the mainland through the third and fourth quarters, noted Jim W. Henderson, president and chief operating officer. Money is coming into the reinsurance market, but its application is primarily to large accounts, while mid and small markets still are starved.

He emphasized the improving climate of capacity would only continue if there are no new losses from hurricanes.

"Money will continue to come into the market because the returns [would prove to be] extraordinary," said Mr. Henderson.