W.R. Berkley Corp., a commercial insurer based in Greenwich, Connecticut, reported a solid rise in profits for the second quarter of 2025. The company’s net income grew by nearly 8%, reaching approximately $401.3 million, up from $371.9 million during the same period last year.
Despite facing $99.2 million in catastrophe losses between April and June, W.R. Berkley set a new record with net premiums written totaling $3.4 billion. This growth reflects the company’s focus on business segments with the highest profit potential. The insurer’s combined ratio, a key measure of underwriting profitability, remained strong at 91.6 for Q2 2025, only slightly above last year’s 91.1.
In the insurance segment alone, net premiums written rose to about $3 billion, up from $2.8 billion in the second quarter of 2024. The combined ratio in this segment was steady at 92.1, compared to 92.4 last year. W.R. Berkley also reported average rate increases of 7.6%, excluding workers’ compensation.
Adding to the company’s financial success, net investment income hit a record $379.3 million in the quarter. The company emphasized its careful approach to managing underwriting across its different markets. This cautious but steady strategy appears to be paying off as W.R. Berkley continues to grow both its earnings and its premium base.
Overall, W.R. Berkley’s performance shows resilience in a competitive insurance market, balancing growth with tight cost control even amid challenges like catastrophe losses.