General insurers had a bad year in 2009 and things are shaping up for a repeat performance this year. Insurers reported underwriting losses in several of their personal and commercial business lines and expect some of those businesses to make losses again this year.According to the latest JP Morgan Deloitte General Insurance Industry Survey, released yesterday, underwriters reported combined ratios of more than 100 per cent in household cover, and in compulsory third party cover in New South Wales and Queensland.The average combined ratio for domestic classes of business was 102 per cent. The combined ratio calculates claims plus underwriting expenses as a percentage of premium income, and a combined ratio over 100 per cent indicates an underwriting loss.Insurers fared better with their commercial lines. Only two classes of business, workers compensation in Western Australia and director and officers, had combined ratios of 100 per cent or more. The average combined ratio for domestic classes of business was 94 per cent. Underwriters were able to achieve some significant premium increases in 2009 and are aiming to do so again this year.Household cover went up an average 10 per cent. CTP went up 14 per cent in Queensland and 10 per cent in Queensland.The average premium increase for personal business was eight per cent.The average for commercial products was four per cent. That included a 10 per cent increase for commercial motor, six per cent for directors and officers and five per cent for fire.Insurers are hoping to increase domestic motor premiums by five per cent this year, household cover by nine per cent, CTP in NSW by nine per cent and CTP in Queensland by 15 per cent.They are forecasting a six per cent increase in commercial motor, the same in commercial property, nine percent for directors and officers and eight per cent for professional indemnity.Reinsurers are also putting their rates up.Underwriters identified their biggest concern as weather events impacted by climate change. The industry has a high expectation that costs from weather events will continue to rise.