The combined ratio for the total U.S. property-casualty sector was 0.8 points higher in the first quarter of this year than the same quarter last year.

The combined ratio was 100.6, according to the A.M.Best Co. Statistical Study, which is reported in the latest BestWeek U.S./Canada.

The ratio rose 1.1 points for the top 25 property-casualty groups, to 98.1.

Among the top 25 property-casualty writers, the highest ratios belonged to Erie Insurance Group, with 112.6; Auto-Owners Insurance Group, 111.4; and State Farm Group and Cincinnati Insurance Cos., each at 105.1.