risk and insurance brokerage services .

2009: segment revenue: 6305
segment operating income: 900
segment operating income margin: -14.3
2008: segment revenue: 6197
segment operating income: 846
segment operating income margin: -13.7
2007: segment revenue: 5918
segment operating income: 954
segment operating income margin: -16.1

during 2009 we continued to see a soft market , which began in 2007 , in our retail brokerage product line . in 2007 , we experienced a soft market in many business lines and in many geographic areas . in a 2018 2018soft market , 2019 2019 premium rates flatten or decrease , along with commission revenues , due to increased competition for market share among insurance carriers or increased underwriting capacity . changes in premiums have a direct and potentially material impact on the insurance brokerage industry , as commission revenues are generally based on a percentage of the premiums paid by insureds . prices fell throughout 2007 , with the greatest declines seen in large and middle-market accounts . prices continued to decline during 2008 , although the rate of decline slowed toward the end of the year . in our reinsurance brokerage product line , pricing overall during 2009 was also down , although during a portion of the year it was flat to up slightly . additionally , beginning in late 2008 and continuing throughout 2009 , we faced difficult conditions as a result of unprecedented disruptions in the global economy , the repricing of credit risk and the deterioration of the financial markets . continued volatility and further deterioration in the credit markets have reduced our customers 2019 demand for our retail brokerage and reinsurance brokerage products , which have negatively hurt our operational results . in addition , overall capacity in the industry could decrease if a significant insurer either fails or withdraws from writing insurance coverages that we offer our clients . this failure could reduce our revenues and profitability , since we would no longer have access to certain lines and types of insurance . risk and insurance brokerage services generated approximately 83% ( 83 % ) of our consolidated total revenues in 2009 . revenues are generated primarily through fees paid by clients , commissions and fees paid by insurance and reinsurance companies , and investment income on funds held on behalf of clients . our revenues vary from quarter to quarter throughout the year as a result of the timing of our clients 2019 policy renewals , the net effect of new and lost business , the timing of services provided to our clients , and the income we earn on investments , which is heavily influenced by short-term interest rates . we operate in a highly competitive industry and compete with many retail insurance brokerage and agency firms , as well as with individual brokers , agents , and direct writers of insurance coverage . specifically , we address the highly specialized product development and risk management needs of commercial enterprises , professional groups , insurance companies , governments , healthcare providers , and non-profit groups , among others ; provide affinity products for professional liability , life , disability income , and personal lines for individuals , associations , and businesses ; provide reinsurance services to insurance and reinsurance companies and other risk assumption entities by acting as brokers or intermediaries on all classes of reinsurance ; provide investment banking products and services , including mergers and acquisitions and other financial advisory services , capital raising , contingent capital financing , insurance-linked securitizations and derivative applications ; provide managing underwriting to independent agents and brokers as well as corporate clients ; provide actuarial , loss prevention , and administrative services to businesses and consumers ; and manage captive insurance companies . in november 2008 we expanded our product offerings through the merger with benfield , a leading independent reinsurance intermediary . benfield products have been integrated with our existing reinsurance products in 2009 . in february 2009 , we completed the sale of the u.s . operations of cananwill , our premium finance business . in june and july of 2009 , we entered into agreements with third parties with respect to our .

Questions:
what was the total of risk and insurance brokerage services segment revenue in 2009?
and what was that in 2008?
what was, then, the change over the year?
and how much does this change represent in relation to the 2008 total, in percentage?

Answers:
6305
6197
108
1.7%