NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Commercial insurance prices were relatively flat for the eighth consecutive quarter, while accident-year loss ratios deteriorated relative to the same period in the prior 12 months, according to global professional services company Towers Watson's (NYSE, NASDAQ: TW) most recent Commercial Lines Insurance Pricing Survey (CLIPS).

Commercial insurance prices, in aggregate, declined by 1% during the fourth quarter of 2010, according to the survey, which compares prices charged on policies underwritten during the fourth quarter of 2010 to the prices charged for the same coverage during the same quarter in 2009.

While pricing for the majority of lines remained flat, commercial property, professional liability, directors and officers liability, and employment practices liability lines showed price reductions for the fifth consecutive quarter. Aggregate price change indications showed some differentiation by account size, with flat indications for small and mid-market accounts, and price reductions in large accounts and specialty lines.