Canadian Underwriter

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News Commercial LinesInsuranceMarkets / Coverages

What private equity clients can expect in 2024

January 8, 2024 by Alyssa DiSabatino

Private equity deal volume is expected to rebound in 2024 after slowing last year, and that means your PE clients can expect to see their insurance rates — particularly for liability and indemnity (D&O and R&W) — decrease or flatten

Two employees have a discussion on career possibilities
News Commercial LinesInsuranceLegalLegislation / RegulationRisk

The down low on D&O risk in 2024

December 18, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatino

Clients will benefit from competitive market pricing for directors and officers (D&O) insurance in 2024, but can expect underwriting discipline to return, says Allianz Commercial’s D&O insurance report.  Of particular concern is inadequate responses by company directors and officers to

Chat with AI
News Commercial LinesInsuranceMarkets / CoveragesRiskTechnology

4 ways ChatGPT could worsen cyber risk

December 14, 2023 by Jason Contant

Language models like ChatGPT could be used by bad actors to re-write software code and better prepare phishing emails, a cyber specialist warned recently.  The state-of-the-art language generation model is capable of understanding and generating human-like text based on a

Contractor on ladder with cell phone figuring out hail damage repair costs for customer.
News ClaimsClimate ChangeCommercial LinesInsurance

How restoration firms are growing in Canada

December 14, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatino

With natural disasters on the rise, restoration firms are responding to the growing need through expansions and acquisitions, according to recent announcements.   Intact subsidiary On Side Restoration has acquired Superior Disaster Services Ltd., in a deal that closed Dec.

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News BrokersCommercial LinesConstructionInsuranceMarkets / CoveragesProductsTechnology

Why most of your commercial clients are underinsured by at least 30%

December 12, 2023 by Jason Contant

Accurate valuation and occupancy data points remain top challenges for commercial broker submissions, according to Greg McCutcheon, president of Canada’s largest property data provider, Opta Information Intelligence.  In this inflationary environment, keeping up with valuations and ensuring commercial property brokers

Joining a puzzle on a blue background; M&A concept
News AnnouncementsBrokersCommercial LinesMergers and Aqcuisitions

This province is Hub’s latest benefits firms acquisition target

December 12, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatino

Global commercial brokerage Hub International announced the acquisitions of two Alberta benefits firms this week.   Hub, based in Illinois, has acquired JRP Financial Services, Inc., as well as the shares of The Musgrave Group. Terms of the transactions were

Merger and acquisition business concept
News AnnouncementsCommercial LinesInsuranceMergers and AqcuisitionsMGAsProfessional Development

MGA acquires Echelon’s surety division

December 11, 2023 by Jason Contant

Montreal-based managing general agency REVAU Advanced Underwriting Inc. has acquired Echelon Insurance’s surety division.  “This acquisition aligns with REVAU’s focus on expanding its existing surety operations across Canada,” the MGA said in a press release Monday. “The teams’ shared values,

Digital puzzle pieces; digital M&A concept
News BrokersCommercial LinesEmploymentInsuranceMarkets / CoveragesMergers and AqcuisitionsMGAsProfessional DevelopmentTechnology

Private equity firm acquires digital brokerage

December 8, 2023 by Jason Contant

Private equity firm Southampton Financial Inc. has announced its acquisition of Ontario-based digital insurance brokerage aha insurance. Launched in 2017, Waterloo, Ont.-based aha insurance offers consumers the ability to quote, purchase and manage car and home insurance policies entirely online.

High angle view of female agent standing with prospective buyer in lobby of modern office building and pointing to windows surrounding second floor.
News BrokersClaimsCommercial LinesInsuranceMarkets / CoveragesRisk

How Cat modelling can help your real estate clients

December 8, 2023 by David Gambrill

With so many NatCats affecting the real estate property insurance sector, catastrophe (Cat) modelling is becoming a fixture for clients seeking coverage in a tightening market, a Hub International report states. “Catastrophe (CAT) modeling is…becoming essential in real estate resiliency,”

Cybersecurity of file-transfer systems
News ClaimsClaims CanadaCommercial LinesInsuranceLegalTechnology

Nova Scotia privacy commissioner to investigate file-sharing cyber breach

December 8, 2023 The Canadian Press

HALIFAX – Nova Scotia’s information and privacy commissioner has launched an investigation into the theft of personal information from a file-transfer system used by the provincial government. In June, the government confirmed a cybersecurity breach involving a third-party system known

Magnifying glass in the laptop in the dark
News ClaimsClaims CanadaCommercial LinesInsuranceLegalMarkets / CoveragesTechnology

Why it’s important to understand legal privilege after a breach

December 7, 2023 by Jason Contant

A recent court ruling in Australia concerning the primary purpose of a forensics report following a cyberattack serves as a crucial reminder about legal privilege for Canada’s cyber insurance market. In a Nov. 10 decision, the Federal Court of Australia

Chef serving food in the modern kitchen in a high-end restaurant
News BrokersCatastrophesCommercial LinesInsuranceMarkets / Coverages

Why the hospitality hard market won’t end in 2024

December 6, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatino

Persistent labour shortages, forecasted lower levels of travel, elevated inflation and rising property insurance rates will threaten the hospitality industry’s profitability in 2024, Hub International predicts in its 2024 Outlook series.  Yet, with prolonged periods of government mandated shutdowns, low