Average rate increases for commercial and personal insurancelines continued their upward push through August rising anadditional point over the prior month, says MarketScout.

The Dallas-based electronic exchange's property and casualtycommercial insurance market barometer puts the composite rate forU.S.-based commercial risks up 5 percent for August. Rates stood up4 percent for the months of May, June and July of this year.

Commercial property rates in the United States were up 7percent in August—an acceleration from a 6 percent increase seen inJuly.

Workers' compensation and general liability rates were up 6percent in August. Rates for directors' and officers' liabilityincreased a point to 4 percent from 3 percent in July. Employmentpractices liability insurance rates held steady up 3 percent.

Not all lines saw an uptick in rate increases in August.

Commercial auto rates dropped from up 5 percent in July to up 4percent in August. Rates for umbrella/excess increased 3 percent inAugust compared to 4 percent in July.

By account size, rates at small and medium accounts were up 5percent, large accounts were up 4 percent, and jumbo accounts ofover $1 million were up 3 percent, says MarketScout.

From an industry class perspective, rate increases in Augustwere led by 6 percent hikes in manufacturing and contracting.

Looking to personal lines, rates in August this year compared toAugust last year were up 3 percent—an increase from up 2 percent inJuly.

Insurance on homes valued at above and below $1 million was up 3percent in August. Auto insurance rates were up 2 percent for themonth.