Canadian Underwriter

Topic
Professional Development


M&A with wooden blocks
News BrokersCommercial LinesInsuranceMarkets / CoveragesMergers and AqcuisitionsProductsProfessional Development

BrokerLink continues expansion with Atlantic Canada acquisition

September 13, 2023 by Jason Contant

BrokerLink continues its growth in Atlantic Canada with the acquisition of Nova Scotia-based brokerage Roger E. Strum Limited. Headquartered in Windsor, N.S., Strum Insurance has offered professional guidance for home, auto, motorcycle, recreational vehicle, boat and business insurance for more

Teamwork and partnership
News BrokersCommercial LinesConstructionInsuranceMarkets / CoveragesMergers and AqcuisitionsProfessional Development

Brokerage merger to form Top 10 P&C firm

September 11, 2023 by Jason Contant

Quebec brokerages Fort Assurances and Gaudreau Assurances have merged to form what the two companies call one of the Top 10 damage insurance firms in the province. The new entity, which will operate under the name Fort Insurance & Group

Collage of a hand passing a salary via a stack of coins to another hand
News BrokersEmploymentInsuranceLive with CUProfessional Development

What P&C industry recruits will give up for hybrid work

September 8, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatino

Prospective recruits into Canada’s property and casualty insurance industry are willing to accept a lower salary from employers if it means they can work from home, one insurance recruiter observed during a Live with CU stream Thursday.   “To give

Video call; working from home
News EmploymentInsuranceMarkets / CoveragesProfessional DevelopmentTechnology

4 reasons why remote work is here to stay 

September 7, 2023 by Jason Contant

Executives expect both hybrid and fully remote work to keep increasing over the next five years, a new survey has found.  Many CEOs are publicly gearing up for yet another return-to-office push, but privately they’re expecting hybrid and fully remote

Construction engineers consult by phone with the chief architect about problems at the construction site
News ClaimsConstructionInsuranceProfessional DevelopmentRestoration

Humber building talent pipeline into the property restoration industry

August 14, 2023 by David Gambrill

Humber College in Toronto is building a talent pipeline into the Canadian property restoration industry. “We’re looking at building a program that will help get more talented, skilled professionals into the restoration property management space, and then have graduates work

Allison Bryce, WTW's national practice leader of personal lines for Canada.
News AppointmentsBrokersInsuranceProfessional Development

WTW appoints national practice leader of personal lines for Canada

August 4, 2023 by Jason Contant

WTW has appointed Allison Bryce as its national practice leader of personal lines for Canada. Bryce will be based in WTW’s Toronto office and will focus on deepening and expanding client relationships across the Canadian market, WTW said in an

The road ahead
News AnnouncementsInsuranceProfessional Development

Industry veteran no longer with insurance regulator

August 2, 2023 by Jason Contant

Industry veteran Tim Bzowey, most recently executive vice president of auto/insurance products with the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA), is no longer with the regulator. “We would like to express our sincere thanks to former executives Caroline Blouin

Björn Bierfreund
News AppointmentsInsuranceProfessional Development

Zurich Canada names new CFO

July 11, 2023 by Jason Contant

Zurich Canada has named Björn Bierfreund as its new chief financial officer. He replaces Lori Cassidy, who was recently appointed CFO for Zurich Commercial Insurance. In his new role, Bierfreund will be responsible for the continued financial stewardship of Zurich

Insurance claims adjuster working in the field
News AdjustersClaimsEmploymentEngineeringProfessional DevelopmentRestorationRiskTechnology

How the pandemic changed adjusting for the long haul

July 10, 2023 Philip Porado

COVID-19 restrictions led adjusters to shift claims work to desktop teams. The change was driven by client reluctance to meet in-person and employees’ desire to reduce site work until the risks were better understood. But those changes can make some

Analyzing workplace data
News BrokersInsuranceProfessional DevelopmentTechnology

Why you need to better understand data from your BMS

July 5, 2023 by Jason Contant

Brokers who can effectively capture data from their broker management systems (BMS) or other digital technology tools will be able to reap the benefits not only for their brokerages but for clients as well, panellists said during a Canadian Underwriter

Rebranding concept
News BrokersInsuranceMarkets / CoveragesProfessional Development

Two insurance agencies rebrand as belairdirect

July 4, 2023 by Jason Contant

Intact Financial Corporation subsidiary belairdirect has announced that agencies Johnson Insurance and Anthony Insurance will both rebrand as belairdirect. Beginning this fall, the car and home division of Johnson Insurance will gradually rebrand to belairdirect, with the group benefits and

Online recruitment
News BrokersInsuranceMarkets / CoveragesProfessional DevelopmentTechnology

How automation is helping brokerages onboard new talent

June 30, 2023 by Jason Contant

Onboarding new insurance employees remains a major pain point for brokerages, but digital technology is making that process easier, attendees to a recent Canadian Underwriter webinar heard.  Automation can help brokerages with marketing, business growth, sales transactions, and to connect