The excess and surplus (E&S) lines segment of the insurance industry is an essential market for risks for which typically the standard insurance market does not offer coverage. The E&S market as a whole remained somewhat consistent and disciplined with its pricing and risk selection, with the first half of 2017 being very similar to 2016. Both primary and excess casualty rates were flat to up 5 to 10 percent depending on the line of business (LOB) and class. Specific areas, such as New York Construction and Transportation experienced double digit rate increases. Professional lines rates were overall flat.