Canadian Underwriter

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Diverse group of potential job candidates
News Insurance

How Canadian P&C firms are developing diversity

November 16, 2023 Alyssa Di Sabatino

Regardless of where Canadian brokerages are in their efforts to build diverse workplaces, they generally agree on three good ways to get there. When asked what actions brokerages could take to increase diversity, survey respondents advocated promoting diverse talent to

Thea Baird
News BrokersInsurance

Aon’s Thea Baird wins leadership award

November 15, 2023 Philip Porado

Thea Baird, CIP, CAIB, this year’s winner in the Emerging Leaders category of the Insurance Institute of Canada’s 2023 National Leadership Awards has a history of going the extra mile. “You can message me at three o’clock in the morning

Person running away from risk
News BrokersInsurance

Why there’s no such thing as ‘bad risk’

November 14, 2023 Adam Mitchell

New leads are crucial for any brokerage’s growth and continued business success. Although that’s a no-brainer, here’s something to remember when it comes to converting those leads into clients: there’s no such thing as good risks and bad risks. The

Three hands holding jigsaw puzzle pieces
News BrokersCommercial LinesInsuranceMarkets / CoveragesMergers and AqcuisitionsProfessional Development

BrokerLink completes triple acquisition

November 13, 2023 by Jason Contant

BrokerLink has expanded its well-established footprint in the Greater Toronto Area with the acquisition of brokerages All-Risks Insurance (Burlington), Dowhaniuk Insurance and Heinsoo Insurance.  BrokerLink announced Monday it completed the asset acquisition of Solutions Financial PCC Inc., operating as All-Risks

Diversity in hiring
News BrokersInsuranceLegal

How deliberate, diverse recruiting can fill brokers’ talent gaps

November 8, 2023 Alyssa Di Sabatino

Property and casualty (P&C) brokerages continue to report trouble finding qualified new recruits. That’s led many in the P&C insurance industry to suggest firms widen the hiring lens and open recruitment to a more diverse range of candidates. It seems

Mergers and acquisitions with a technology background
News BrokersCommercial LinesInsuranceMarkets / CoveragesMergers and Aqcuisitions

What P&C brokerage buyers are really looking for

November 8, 2023 by Jason Contant

Buyers of Canadian P&C brokerages are becoming more selective about the brokerages they will pursue, with an increase in demand for commercial lines-focused brokerages, a new report from advisory firm Smythe LLP says. P&C consolidators continue to diversify their acquisitions,

Online car insurance
News BrokersInsuranceMarkets / Coverages

Brokerage, carrier partner up to offer digital auto coverage

November 7, 2023 by Jason Contant

Square One Insurance Services and Zurich Canada have partnered to offer personal auto insurance to Ontario drivers, with a Quebec and Alberta rollout planned for early 2024. “What sets this offering apart is our fully digital experience that allows our

Successful business deal
News AnnouncementsAppointmentsBrokersInsuranceMarkets / CoveragesMergers and AqcuisitionsProfessional Development

Behind the scenes of Hub’s latest Canadian acquisition

November 6, 2023 by Jason Contant

In a bid to shore up its personal and commercial insurance capabilities, Hub International Limited has acquired the assets of Quebec-based D’Onofrio Insurance Inc. Located in Laval, Que., D’Onofrio Insurance is an independent brokerage offering personal and commercial insurance to

Hurricane aftermath
News BrokersCatastrophesClaimsClimate ChangeInsurance

How to tame increasingly ferocious NatCats

November 6, 2023 David Gambrill

Escalating natural catastrophe losses are top of mind for specialty insurers in several different commercial lines, most notably property, said Jeff Coulson, director of claims for commercial specialty at Echelon Insurance. There were 15 declared Cats (events causing insured claims

Hurricane Fiona
News BrokersCatastrophesClaimsClimate ChangeInsuranceMarkets / Coverages

Coastal storms: Could U.S. scenario happen here?

November 1, 2023 Philip Porado

Increasing intensity of hurricanes making landfall along the U.S. coastline, sparked largely by climate change, has resulted in significant insured losses for several years. And storms seem to be getting worse. That trend impacts insurability and, going forward, “property values

Ransom note to convey increase of cybercrime using ransomware
News BrokersClaimsInsuranceTechnology

What’s driving rising ransomware attacks

October 30, 2023 Philip Porado

Ransomware attacks are increasing globally thanks to evolving cybercrime tactics that make it easier for thieves to transfer data from computers or other devices. “Cyber claims frequency has picked up again this year as ransomware groups continue to evolve their

Canada and Quebec flags
News BrokersCommercial LinesInsuranceLegalLegislation / RegulationMarkets / Coverages

How Quebec’s language law may affect outside insurance providers

October 30, 2023 by Jason Contant

Quebec’s recently enacted language law is creating concerns that smaller insurance providers may consider pulling out of the province. Bill 96 (Law 14), An Act respecting French, the official and common language of Québec, came into effect June 1. Under