Bulletin: Co-operaters completes buy; Debt collection up; The Good We Do

The Co-operators completes buy of VSIL
The Federated Agencies Limited, a subsidiary of The Co-operators, has completed its purchase of Vancity Insurance Services Ltd. (VSIL).

The purchase will significantly increase The Co-operator’s presence in British Columbia. All VSIL service locations are already operating under The Co-operators’ brand.

Vancity will continue to offer life, creditor and title insurance as part of its overall financial services offering.

Squamish Insurance Services is not part of the purchase agreement and will continue operations as usual.

VSIL customers will not experience any changes to their insurance policy as a result of the acquisition.

Debt collection leads top five list
During the second quarter of 2009, debt collection was the most requested service by customers of Pre-Paid Legal Services, an Oklahoma-based service with members across the U.S. and four provinces in Canada.

Between April and June 2009, the top service requested included requests for debt collection (46,073), foreclosure/eviction (36,179), family law (38,325), bankruptcy (14,980) and employment issues (26,461).

Harlad C. Stonecipher, founder and CEO of Pre-Paid Legal Services, says that these figures show the effect of economic hardship.

The PPD "Top Five List" is based on the total volume of member requests for service submitted to the network of 53 independent provider law firms.

The Good We Do
           
Brokers Don’t Hog Blankets           
The Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario (IBAO) and Robertson & Robertson Yacht Insurance Ltd. donated 100 fleece magenta blankets to the Disabled Sailing Association of Ontario in support of the upcoming Mobility Cup Regatta. Andrew Robertson, Mobility Cup co-chair and president of Robertson & Robertson Yacht Insurance Ltd. is “thrilled to have the IBAO on board as a Mobility Cup Sponsor.”

Over the past year, insurance brokers from across the province have donated thousands of blankets to a variety of charities, including the Canadian Skip Patrol System and smaller local causes such as community’s women shelters, fire stations, and support centres across Canada.

Canada’s only international sailing competition for sailors with a disability will take place at Ashbridge’s Bay Yacht Club in Toronto between August 31 and September 4, 2009.

Coast to Coast to Cure Cancer                    
When Glen Baxby’s friend and fellow pilot was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer last year, Baxby took it upon himself to cycle across Canada—in 60 days or less—to raise awareness, and $500,000 (CDN) in funds for cancer research.

Baxby began in Victoria B.C. and will end his 7,300 km journey in St. John’s, Nlfd.  Donations for this cause are accepted at coast2coast2cure@yahoo.ca.

Standard Life to help raise life standards of Canadian children
In an effort to help boost recruitment numbers at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada, The Standard Life Assurance Company of Canada launched the “Dare to be a kid again” campaign. As more than 10,000 children are currently on lengthy waiting lists at Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies across Canada, Standard Life president and CEO Joseph Iannicelli asks “all Canadians to consider getting involved to ensure our young people receive the guidance they need to be successful in life.”

Beyond financial support, Standard Life is also planning to mobilize its employee and stakeholder networks to advance the cause of youth mentoring–by becoming a volunteer mentor, a donor, or by acting as an advocate for youth mentoring.

Canadians can get involved by visiting www.beakidagain.ca.

This story was originally published by Canadian Insurance Top Broker.