Financial and Market Conditions  
Source: www.iii.org Jan/2006 (Adapted)  
Many forces affect the price, availability and security  of the insurance product. Some are external, such as  changes in interest rates and the stock market, regulatory  activity, the number and severity of natural disasters,  growth in litigation and rising medical costs. Others are  internal, such as the level of competition 
 The insurance industry is cyclical. Rates and profits  fluctuate depending on the phase of the cycle, particularly  in commercial coverages. The profitability cycle may be  somewhat different for different types of insurance. While  the industy as a whole experienced one of its best years in  recent history in 2004 and in the first half of 2005, losses  associated with Hurricane Katrina, Rita and Wilma may  wipe out the profits of many insurers and force some to  raise additional capital. None of the major companies are  likely to become insolvent, however. 
In paragraph 2, the insurance industry is described as  cyclical. Thus, it is characterized by elements which