Topic
Brokers
How broker tech can reduce E&O exposure
June 16, 2023 Alyssa Di SabatinoA growing wave of retirements means Canada’s property and casualty (P&C) insurance brokerages are losing the knowledge and experience of many of its senior leaders. “Many brokerages run into issues because they don’t have a system for knowledge transfer, which…
Ratings reports see pricing declines for two P&C coverages
June 15, 2023 Philip PoradoNew market entrants over the past year have helped ease price increases for two key property and casualty (P&C) insurance coverage segments in the U.S., according to a pair of recent reports from Fitch Ratings. Changes in the competitive landscape…
McDougall expands into Alberta through M&A
June 14, 2023 by David GambrillWith McDougall Insurance Brokers now within the Definity fold, the brokerage has made a splash in the merger game, cutting a deal to acquire Alberta-based Drayden Insurance. McDougall announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of…
How Pride Toronto got swept up in entertainment line’s hard market
June 13, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoPride Toronto’s executive director says the organization has seen a 300% increase in its insurance premiums ahead of this month’s parade and festival programming. This trend of higher premiums for public events is not unique to Pride Toronto; organizers of large…
Broker regulator outlines approach to MGA licensing
June 12, 2023 by Jason ContantOntario’s broker self-regulatory body is looking at its licensing exams with a stronger focus on commercial lines and MGAs, Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario (RIBO) CEO Patrick Ballantyne said last week during an industry event. “Those exams are currently under…
Why the hard market and COVID-19 shifted brokers’ focus
June 9, 2023 David GambrillCommercial lines in Canada have changed in the aftermath of the pandemic. These days the monolithic ‘hard market’ has evolved into multiple markets differentiated by segmented pricing and best-in-class loss-control measures. And the commercial broker’s role has changed accordingly. After…
Westland appoints industry veteran to new VP role
June 9, 2023 by Jason ContantWestland Insurance has appointed senior industry executive Robert Beauchamp as its new vice president of Quebec operations. Beauchamp will spearhead operations and drive growth in Quebec, the brokerage said in a press release. “This appointment marks Westland’s commitment to expanding…
Acquisition broadens NFP’s Ontario base
June 8, 2023 Philip PoradoNFP has acquired Rhodes & Williams Ltd. in a transaction that closed May 24, the company said in a press release. The move expands NFP’s Ontario presence “and increases its P&C capabilities and scale across personal risk and commercial lines,”…
Will lack of diversity mean the end of your brokerage?
June 7, 2023 by Jason ContantInvesting in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives could literally spell the difference between survival and death for a brokerage, a panellist suggested Tuesday during a Canadian Underwriter webinar. Colette Taylor, chief operating officer at Sovereign Insurance, expressed concern about…
Will fewer mergers reduce reps and warranties insurance pricing?
June 7, 2023 Jason ContantPricing in the representations and warranties (R&W) insurance market has softened relative to the hard market conditions experienced from the start of 2021 into the first half of 2022, industry professionals told CU. R&W insurance protects against financial loss arising…
Westland widens Ontario footprint with new acquisitions
June 7, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoWestland Insurance has acquired two Ontario-based brokerages, MYCOR Insurance Solutions Inc. and Murphy Insurance Services Inc., further expanding its fleet in the province. The acquisitions, effective June 1, will enable Westland to continue growing in Canada, “both organically and through…
Easy, low-cost ways to improve DEI at your brokerage
June 6, 2023 by Jason ContantBrokerages that might not have resources to embark on large-scale diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs can start small by committing to change, a speaker said Tuesday during a Canadian Underwriter webinar. “If you’re a small brokerage, maybe don’t have…