Average renewal pricing across our entire P&C Group was up approximately 11% for the quarter. Excluding our workers’ compensation business, renewal pricing was up approximately 13%. Both measures are an improvement over the rate increases reported in the second quarter of 2021. With the exception of workers’ compensation, we are continuing to achieve strong renewal rate increases in the vast majority of our businesses.
Further details about AFG’s Specialty P&C operations may be found in the accompanying schedules.
The Property and Transportation Group reported 2021 third quarter underwriting profit of $45 million, compared to $47 million in the third quarter of 2020. Higher underwriting profits in our crop business and Singapore Branch were more than offset by lower underwriting profit in our transportation, property & inland marine and non-crop agricultural businesses. Catastrophe losses in this group, net of reinsurance and inclusive of reinstatement premiums, were $14 million in the third quarter of 2021, compared to $18 million in the comparable 2020 period.
Gross and net written premiums for the third quarter of 2021 were 26% and 22% higher, respectively, than the comparable 2020 period, with growth reported in all businesses in this group. The growth came primarily from our crop insurance business – primarily the result of higher commodity futures pricing and rate increases – and our transportation businesses, primarily the result of new accounts, combined with strong renewals. Excluding the impact of crop insurance, third quarter 2021 gross and net written premiums increased 14% and 13%, respectively when compared to the 2020 third quarter. Overall renewal rates in this group increased 5% on average for the third quarter of 2021.
The Specialty Casualty Group reported a 2021 third quarter underwriting profit of $110 million, compared to $53 million in the third quarter of 2020, primarily the result of higher profitability in our workers’ compensation, excess and surplus lines, excess liability, and general liability businesses. Underwriting profitability in our workers’ compensation businesses overall continues to be excellent. The businesses in the Specialty Casualty Group achieved a very strong 82.0% calendar year combined ratio overall in the third quarter, an improvement of 8.7 points from the comparable period in 2020. Catastrophe losses for this group were $3 million and $8 million in the third quarters of 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Third quarter 2021 gross and net written premiums increased 15% and 14%, respectively, when compared to the same prior year period. Excluding workers’ compensation, gross and net written premiums grew by 18% and 20%, respectively year-over-year. Nearly all the businesses in this group achieved strong renewal pricing and reported premium growth during the third quarter. Significant renewal rate increases and new business opportunities contributed to higher premiums in our excess & surplus lines business. Renewal rate increases, strong account retention and new business opportunities contributed to higher premiums in our targeted markets businesses. Our mergers and acquisitions liability and executive liability businesses also contributed meaningfully to the year-over-year growth. Renewal pricing for this group was up 13% in the third quarter. Excluding our workers’ compensation businesses, renewal rates in this group were up approximately 18%. Both measures are improvements from the rate increases achieved in the second quarter of 2021.
The Specialty Financial Group reported an underwriting profit of $26 million in the third quarter of 2021, compared to $13 million in the third quarter of 2020, primarily as a result of higher year-over-year underwriting profit in our surety and financial institutions businesses. Catastrophe losses for this group, net of reinsurance and inclusive of reinstatement premiums, were $14 million in the third quarter of 2021, compared to $13 million in the prior year quarter. This group continued to achieve excellent underwriting margins and reported an 84.2% combined ratio for the third quarter of 2021.
Third quarter 2021 gross and net written premiums in this group were up 9% and 8%, respectively, when compared to the prior year period. Nearly all businesses in this group reported growth, including our surety, fidelity & crime and lender services businesses. Renewal pricing in this group was up approximately 8% for the quarter, consistent with results in the second quarter of 2021.
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