Insurers will struggle to find growth and profits because of ongoing challenges caused by the global economy, according to a new forecast.

Not only do property-casualty insurance industry leaders believe the financial crisis is behind them, but they also believe rates are hardening, a new study finds.

A plurality of insurance agencies expect their revenue for 2011 to mirror that of the prior year, according to the latest IFAwebnews.com poll.

The Lockton Monthly Update, which tries to forecast the property-casualty market’s pricing, has suggested twice in the last month that commercial insurance rates, at least in some sectors, are starting to harden.

The insurance market for construction firms, architects and engineers appears to be hardening, according to the latest Lockton Market Update.

The casualty market might be providing initial indications of a long-awaited hardening, although an expert warns not to read too much in to the latest report.

Rates for workers’ compensation coverage in the U.S. rose 1% in June, marking the only property-casualty line to show an increase in rates for the month, according to MarketScout.

The soft market gripping commercial insurance in recent years is “losing steam,” as uncertainty offers a cloudy future, according to a new report.

The earthquake in Japan, where estimated losses would make it the worst disaster in history, will affect insurance rates in the U.S., according to industry experts.

A piece of President Barack Obama‘s State of the Union Address may offer hope to the property-casualty insurance industry, struggling with a soft market and limited construction projects.