Lloyd's Risk Code Hub · Accident & Health

Personal Accident & Health — Rates & ROE Analysis

Market cycle dynamics, pricing trends, loss ratios and return on equity scenarios across PA&H sub-classes.

Figures in this module are compiled from public reporting and market sources and are indicative for training; see the References page for the full confidence audit. EST

Chart 1 — PA&H Rate Index by Sub-Class (2010–2024) ILLUS

Rate change index: 100 = 2010 baseline. All data illustrative of market direction. ILLUS

Chart 2 — PA&H Combined Loss Ratio (2010–2024) ILLUS

Blended PA&H loss ratio illustrating COVID-19 spike and post-pandemic hardening. ILLUS

Chart 3 — UK Private Medical Inflation vs. CPI (2015–2024) ILLUS

Medical inflation consistently outpaces CPI, driving PMI and group IP re-rating. ILLUS

Market Cycle — Key Eras

2010–2015 — Soft Market

Sustained softening. Low interest rates compressed investment returns. A&H capacity abundant; group PMI rates competitive. Travel insurance consolidated via aggregators driving down premium.

2016–2019 — Stable / Mildly Hardening

Post-PPI regulation improves conduct. Sports disability losses in rugby prompt selective hardening. Mental health frequency begins rising. Group IP duration risk re-emerges. Modest rate increases in disability lines.

2020–2021 — COVID Shock

Travel (KT) collapses. Pandemic exclusions deployed en masse. Long-COVID disability uncertainty. Lloyd's A&H losses elevated. Group life mortality increases in heavily affected regions. Capacity reduces in travel reinsurance.

2022–2023 — Hard Cycle Begins

Mental health claims +40% vs. pre-pandemic (EST). Long-COVID disability duration uncertainty. Medical inflation 8–10% p.a. (UK). Group PMI and IP re-rated. Travel rebuilds but pandemic exclusions remain. War PA active (Ukraine, Middle East).

2024 — Sustained Hard Market

Group IP pricing +10–25% in worst-affected segments (EST). PMI double-digit rate increases driven by NHS waiting list driven demand and medical inflation. Travel consolidating post-COVID losses. FCA Consumer Duty compliance costs impacting margins.

2024 Rate Benchmark Table ILLUS

Sub-class2019 Base Rate2024 RateDirectionPrimary Driver
Individual PA (KA) — Class 1~0.15–0.25% of benefit~0.18–0.30%▲ +10–20%Mental health; disability definition broadening
Group Income Protection (KG)~0.5–1.5% of payroll~0.8–2.2%▲ +30–50%Long-COVID duration; mental health claims surge
Group PMI (KG)~£1,200–1,800 PEPY~£1,700–2,800 PEPY▲ +30–55%Medical inflation 8–10% p.a.; NHS waiting list demand
Travel — Europe annual (KT)~£20–30 (age 18–35)~£25–45 (age 18–35)▲ +15–30%Post-COVID loss absorption; medical cost abroad
Travel — USA/Worldwide (KT)~£55–90 (age 18–35)~£80–130 (age 18–35)▲ +25–45%US medical costs; claims frequency recovery
Sports Disability (KS) — Rugby~0.8–1.5% of SI~1.2–2.2% of SI▲ +30–50%Concussion / CTE concern; spinal injury; mental health
Creditor Protection (KP)Rebuilding post-PPIRecovering with stronger governance→ FlatMarket rebuilding; FCA PROD compliance costs
Maritime PA / Crew (KM)~0.3–0.8% of crew payroll~0.4–1.0%▲ +15–25%Red Sea war risk; piracy risk areas; MLC 2006 obligations

PEPY = per employee per year. All rates illustrative. ILLUS

ROE Scenarios — Lloyd's PA&H Portfolio ILLUS

Bull Scenario
+14–20%
Mental health frequency stabilises; medical inflation moderates to 5%; long-COVID duration shorter than reserved; travel recovers fully; hard pricing sustained
Base Scenario
+6–12%
Mental health claims remain elevated but manageable; medical inflation 8% p.a.; long-COVID reserves hold; group IP re-rated to adequate levels; Consumer Duty compliance cost absorbed
Bear Scenario
−10–20%
New pandemic event; long-COVID duration far exceeds reserving assumptions; mental health claims frequency doubles; medical inflation 12%+; regulatory intervention on premium increases

Bear Scenario Trigger Events

TriggerEstimated Market Impact
New pandemic event (COVID-comparable severity)Travel collapses; group PA/IP claims surge; billions across Lloyd's A&H book
Long-COVID: disability duration 5+ years (avg) for severe casesGroup IP reserve strengthening; adverse development charges across market
Mental health claims frequency +100% (systemic social health crisis)Group PMI and IP combined ratio breaks 120%; capacity withdraws
FCA enforcement action on Consumer Duty A&H failuresRedress obligations; reputation damage to distribution channels (cf. PPI)
UK recession → employer group scheme cancellationsVolume reduction; remaining book adversely selected (ill employees more likely to retain)