Topic
Earnings / Ratings
Which IFRS 17 combined ratio should you use?
April 24, 2024 by Jason ContantWhile a new key performance indicator (KPI) under IFRS 17 was intended to replicate the well-known combined ratio, this equivalence might not hold true in practice when all components and complexities of a real profit and loss statement (P&L) are…
Why insurers’ combined ratios under IFRS-17 can’t be compared in 2024
April 19, 2024 by David GambrillVarying assumptions underlying the reporting of combined ratios by Canadian P&C insurers — a longstanding measure of company profitability — have, under IFRS-17 rules, undermined the intent of the new accounting standards, industry executives say. The issue bubbled to the…
2023 P&C financial results return to Earth
April 12, 2024 by David GambrillGravity brought financial results for Canada’s property and casualty insurance industry back down to Earth in 2023, despite a rebound to pre-pandemic investment returns. “As we predicted last year at this time, the abnormally high industry returns for 2021 and…
How Aviva Canada is handling personal lines’ pressures
March 8, 2024 by Jason ContantAviva Canada’s overall combined ratio for 2023 stood at 95.3% (undiscounted) but there was a difference between the year-end combined ratios for personal versus commercial lines. The insurer’s personal lines combined ratio (COR) last year came in at 99.5%, up…
How Aviva Canada fared in 2023
March 7, 2024 by Jason ContantAviva Canada ended 2023 with an undiscounted combined operating ratio (COR) of 95.3% and double-digit growth in gross written premiums, despite challenging market conditions that included increased weather-related losses and heightened auto theft. The undiscounted ratio for 2023 was up…
How to reconcile financial results pre- and post-IFRS 17
January 24, 2024 by Jason ContantInsurance professionals looking to reconcile financial results pre- and post-IFRS 17 implementation need to understand specific accounting policy choices their company has taken because it’s “not going to be apples to apples right across the board,” a Wawanesa executive said.…
The rise and fall of the P&C industry’s financial results
January 22, 2024 by David GambrillAs the Alan Parson Project once sang, “What goes up, must come down,” and predictions about industry profitability made two years ago are unfortunately coming true — including a marked downward trend of financial results in 2023, says one veteran…
Why broker commissions are going down
January 3, 2024 by David GambrillBroker commissions in Canada’s property and casualty insurance industry were down by about 5% to 7% in personal lines last year, as noted in the Canadian Council of Insurance Regulators’ 2022 Annual Statement on Market Conduct Public Report. In personal…
Introducing our 2024 Executive Outlook series
December 19, 2023 by David GambrillIn the 1942 classic film Casablanca, Ilsa Lund, played by Ingrid Bergman, urges the piano player Sam to play the song “As time goes by.” It’s a favourite tune she shares with the lead man in the film, Rick Blaine,…
Why you can expect more insurance regulation next year
December 11, 2023 by David GambrillAs the hard market proceeds apace in the Canadian P&C insurance industry, a projected economic slowdown in 2024 could invite more insurance regulation, since Canadians will find it harder to pay their insurance bills, a ratings agency warned. “While growing…
Where the feds stand with an earthquake backstop
December 7, 2023 by David GambrillCanada’s federal government is aware of the need for a government financial backstop for earthquake losses, but the question is, will an earthquake happen before then? Panellists at Canadian Underwriter’s 2024 Economic Outlook webinar Nov. 27 were asked if there…
Bank of Canada holds its key interest rate steady at 5% in final decision of 2023
December 7, 2023 The Canadian PressOTTAWA – The Bank of Canada continued to hold its key interest rate steady at five per cent today, encouraged by evidence that higher rates are helping bring inflation down. In a news release, the central bank says higher borrowing…