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Property insurance rates have been steadily increasing for the past 18 consecutive quarters. While the worst of these rate increases are behind us, it is still a very difficult market. It is likely that you will see a rate increase at renewal. However, the size of that increase depends on factors such as whether your properties have had any losses and the risk profile of your buildings. There are four property risk characteristics (Construction, Occupancy, Protection and Exposure known as C.O.P.E), that are vital to underwriters when evaluating a submission for property insurance. C.O.P.E. ultimately affects the price you will pay for a commercial property insurance policy. Insurers use this data to identify factors that could cause an insurance company to experience a loss.