Topic
Associations
Diversity, equity and inclusion: Asking the ‘uncomfortable’ questions
October 22, 2021 by Greg MeckbachIf you think it’s a challenge to improve diversity at your brokerage, you should also view it as an opportunity, Ontario brokers heard Wednesday at the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario convention. Many brokerages are family-operated, Gore Mutual chief people…
How brokers can maintain community sponsorships in a pandemic
August 27, 2021 by Greg MeckbachThe COVID-19 pandemic has forced Canadian property and casualty insurance brokerages to find new ways of marketing their brand through community events and sponsorships. “One of the challenges – particularly for small and mid-sized brokerages in Western Canada – has…
Former State Farm Canada head Bellissimo joins industry regulator board
August 17, 2021 by Greg MeckbachBarbara Bellissimo, former chief agent for State Farm Canada, is now on the board of Ontario’s insurance regulator. The Ontario Financial Services Regulatory Authority announced Monday that Bellissimo is a member of its board of directors effective Aug. 12. Bellissimo…
New industry anti-fraud group gets its first CEO
July 19, 2021 by Greg MeckbachTerri O’Brien, a former vice president at TD Bank, is now CEO of Équité Association, the anti-fraud organization announced Monday. Équité Association is a new organization that integrates Canadian National Insurance Crime Services (CANATICS) and the IBC’s investigative services division.…
How to go after online fake brokerages through the courts
July 8, 2021 by Greg MeckbachCanadian courts have the power to try and shut down unlicensed brokers’ Internet sites, though there does not seem to be a simple, sure-fire way to guarantee that Canadians won’t find a fake broker on the web. Teksavvy Solutions Inc.…
Canadian MGA association takes centre stage with new board of directors
June 11, 2021 by Greg MeckbachGary Hirst is stepping down as president of the Canadian Association of Managing General Agents (CAMGA). “You might think it is strange that I am pleased to be stepping down,” Hirst, the CEO of CHES Special Risk Inc., announced during…
Why this purported ‘brokerage’ website caught RIBO’s eye
May 30, 2021 by Greg MeckbachHidden Ace Brokerage, which purports to be “fighting high insurance rates” in the greater Toronto area, and says it “takes pride in delivering the quotes that insurance companies don’t want you to see,” is not authorized to place home or…
Federal budget contains ‘unexpected positive development’ for brokers re: Bank Act
April 23, 2021 by Greg MeckbachThis year’s federal budget could keep the restrictions, on banks selling home and auto insurance, for at least another four years. “There was an unexpected positive development in the budget for us,” Peter Braid, CEO of the Insurance Brokers Association…
What’s next in IBAC’s data exchange API pipeline
March 22, 2021 by Greg MeckbachAt least one insurer plans to offer an application programming interface (API) intended to help brokers quote and bind coverage for small businesses without the aggravation of having to log into different insurer portals or send emails or faxes. Unica…
Debbie Thompson, past president, IBAO
March 12, 2021 by Greg MeckbachDebbie Thompson, Manager, Risk and Insurance, Ontario Ministry of Government and Consumer Services Canada’s P&C insurance industry is making good progress on increasing female representation of women in the C-suite, but more needs to be done to mentor future women…
Letter to the editor: Best Terms — the buyer’s point of view
February 26, 2021 BC Risk & Insurance Manager’s AssociationTo the Editor, We would like to respond to your editorial titled “Regulators, leave subscription policies alone,” dated Dec. 7, 2020. It is true that these are turbulent times in the insurance market, and that insurers have been experiencing losses…
Open banking in Canada could help insurers with credit scoring
January 20, 2021 by Greg MeckbachOpen banking could give insurers better data for credit scoring, suggests an official with the organization that handles clearing and settlement for banks in Canada. “I think we will see more accurate underwriting and more accurate credit scoring,” Andrew McFarlane,…