Topic
Products
Does federal budget create new tax liability for P&C industry?
April 12, 2022 Greg MeckbachA federal budget proposal to forbid insurers from using a contractual service margin as a deductible reserve for tax purposes could impose a one-time tax liability on the industry. International Financial Reporting Standard 17 (IFRS 17) will “substantially change the…
How the federal budget impacts P&C insurers
April 8, 2022 Philip Porado, with files from Melissa Shin and Rudy MezzettaAs expected, 2022’s federal budget included a 1.5% bank and insurer surtax for taxable income over $100 million for taxation years that end after April 7. That means those companies will pay 16.5% on income above that threshold going forward.…
Ratings agency suspends commercial activities in Russia
March 30, 2022 Philip PoradoGetting ahead of a European Union-imposed Apr. 15 sanctions deadline, a major global credit ratings agency specializing in the insurance industry has suspended all commercial activities in Russia. AM Best said it’s also withdrawn all credit ratings on reinsurance companies…
How to reduce hail damage costs
March 28, 2022 by Alyssa DiSabatinoOne way homeowners and insurers can reduce annual hail damage is to use impact-resistant asphalt shingle roofs instead of standard shingles, finds a new report. A new Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction benefit-cost analysis report shows annual hail…
From nukes to export tangles, war shows need for custom covers
March 23, 2022 Philip PoradoClients needing war, political violence or terrorism insurance may need to seek bespoke covers, noted a recent Ukraine technical update from claims manager Crawford. “The purpose of a political violence policy is to dovetail with the commercial property policy and…
Commercial data standards get green light
March 18, 2022 Canadian Underwriter StaffCommercial insurance brokers are a step closer to having standards for policy inquiries on certain auto and general liability coverage. The Centre for Study of Insurance Operations (CSIO) said its Innovation and Emerging Technology (INNOTECH) API working groups have published…
Parametric insurance: a solution for businesses of any size?
March 4, 2022 by Alyssa DiSabatinoNatural catastrophes can affect businesses of any size, and parametric insurance can provide solutions for small accounts, too — not just large ones, panellists said at a Canadian Underwriter webinar on Wednesday. Parametric insurance is a type of index-based insurance…
Which insurer is providing more E&O capacity to Canada
February 2, 2022 by David GambrillSigns are showing that stability – and more capacity – is returning to Canada’s commercial insurance market, including a recent announcement that the professional liability division of Cincinnati-based Great American Insurance Group has expanded into Canada. More specifically, Great American’s…
Gallagher no longer buying major Willis Towers Watson assets
July 30, 2021 by Greg MeckbachA bunch of Willis Towers Watson plc workers, who anticipated that their divisions were being sold to Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., will be staying with Willis Towers Watson after all. Rolling Meadows, Ill.-based Gallagher announced July 26 that a…
P&C industry must better engage those who are “kicking the tires” on a purchase: exec
May 18, 2021 by David GambrillDigital has made it easier for Canada’s property and casualty insurance industry to serve customers who wish to purchase a fairly straightforward insurance product, but more emphasis needs to be placed on converting customers who are kicking the tires on…
Can insurtechs match the financial performance of traditional carriers?
April 19, 2021 by Greg MeckbachLemonade, Root and Metromile have a few things in common, and it’s not just their leading-edge technology. “Their performance has been consistently worse than those of their more traditional [insurance company] peers,” writes Joel Baker, CEO of MSA Research Inc.…
How COVID has influenced usage-based auto insurance adoption
March 19, 2021 by Greg MeckbachMotorists who are driving fewer kilometres than they were before the pandemic are more likely to select usage-based auto insurance, Intact Financial Corp. observes. “COVID has pushed consumers to recognize that maybe UBI would be a tool that will immediately…