Moves (May 01, 2007)

The Canadian Insurance Professio-nals Society (CIP), the professionals’ division of the Insurance Institute, has launched a series of monthly “emerging trends and issues” papers to focus discussion by experts on a variety of leading-edge topics. The first in the series is an analysis of pandemics, which is currently available to members online. Subsequent papers are to feature subjects such as cyber crime, identity theft and material change to risk. “This monthly trends paper is part of the Society’s evolving family of information services now offered under the name ADVANTAGE,” The CIP Society wrote in a press release. The evolved CIP e-News, redesigned and called ‘ADVANTAGE: the news in brief,’ was launched on Apr. 2. Refinements made to this service include offering a more global representation. It continues to bring news stories from Canadian Underwriter, but now also includes breaking international briefs from the Post Magazine in the U.K. (daily) and Advisen Front Page News in the U.S. (Mondays).

***

Kingsway Financial Services Inc. (TSX:KFS, NYSE: KFS) announced the completion of the acquisition of Mendota Insurance Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Travelers Company, Inc. The transaction includes Mendota’s wholly owned subsidiaries, Mendakota Insurance Company and Mendota Insurance Agency, Inc. The purchase price has been funded through a combination of internal sources and Kingsway’s existing credit facilities. Mendota currently writes non-standard automobile insurance business through a network of approximately 6,000 independent agency locations.

***

Aviva plc has announced a major shuffle of its executive team that will see Igal Mayer, currently president and CEO of Aviva Canada, become chief executive of Norwich Union General Insurance. Andrew Moss, currently the group finance officer, has been promoted to group chief executive. Tom Godlasky, currently chief executive of Aviva USA, will become chief executive of North America, and will lead operations in the U.S. and Canada. Sally Turney, vice president of corporate communications for Aviva Canada, said the new corporate structure will see the U.S. and Canadian operations brought under one umbrella. The changes, Turney said, will position “Aviva for even more growth in the large North American market and will further develop the synergy between the U.S. and Canadian markets.” As announced in January 2007, Philip Scott, currently executive director with responsibility for Aviva’s operations outside Europe, will become group finance director. All appointments are effective July 12, 2007 and are subject to the appropriate regulatory approvals.

***

Policy Works Inc. has announced the launch of its Certified Data-Exchange Partner Program, designed to recognize insurers who have worked in partnership with Policy Works Inc., to ensure accurate transfer of commercial lines information. The program focuses on three key areas: standards, verification and security. Certified partners must be committed to implementing the CSIO commercial XML standards and to working closely with Policy Works Inc. through all the stages of analysis, development, testing and roll-out, a company release says. The program is designed to benefit brokers by giving them confidence that their data will be transferred properly to certified partners. More information can be found at www.policyworks.com/solutions/cdep.aspx

***

Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario (IBAO) board chair Beth Pearson recently welcomed the appointment of Randy Carroll as the association’s CEO. Carroll has more than 20 years of experience working with brokerage operations and has been the chief operating officer of IBAO since April 2005. Over the past two years, he has earned the respect of many industry leaders, and the board of directors is proud of the accomplishments the association has achieved under his leadership, Pearson said in a release.

***

The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) has donated Cdn$500,000 to fund a research facility designed to study the building of safer homes. “Thanks to the IBC, a typical two-story brick house, similar to many homes found in neighbourhoods across Canada, has been constructed for the sole purpose of being slowly destroyed,” says an IBC press release. Located at the University of Western Ontario’s Faculty of Engineering in London, Ontario, over the next few years, the home will be subjected to a variety of severe weather conditions including simulated winds of up to a Category 5 hurricane (200 mph) that will eventually blow the roof off — all in a controlled environment. Researchers will also study the destructive pathways of mould and water.

***

The Centre for Study of Insurance Operations (CSIO) has announced the appointment of Steven Kaukinen as president of the organization. Most recently he served as the president and CEO of Baldwin Janzen Insurance Services in Vancouver. Prior to that, Kaukinen was the vice president of competitive insurance at the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia. “We believe this well-rounded background, coupled with a proven track record of successes in the areas of systems and business process innovation, make Steve uniquely qualified to continue the evolution of CSIO on behalf of our industry,” Bob Fitzgerald, chairman of the CSIO’s board, said.

***

Richard Scott, a professional golfer from Kingsville, Ontario, has signed a sponsorship agreement for 2007 with the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario (IBAO). “As insurance brokers, we are close to our communities, and supporting Richard is simply an extension of our support to a promising Ontario athlete,” IBAO CEO Randy Carroll said in a press release. “We are very excited about this partnership.” Scott said his decision to accept the partnership with the IBAO was easy, since his father has been an insurance broker for 27 years. “From watching my dad, I knew how involved insurance brokers were in their communities,” Scott said. “I’m very thankful for their support and I look forward to a terrific relationship.” Scott is currently on the Hooter’s Tour. He will be joining the Canadian Tour next, before attending the PGA Tour’s qualifying school next year.

***

The Portuguese Insurance Professionals Association (PIPA) unveiled its new logo over some fine red and lunch at Leao D’Ouro Restaurant on Apr. 12 in Toronto. The logo was designed by PIPA member Steve Carreiro and represents the association reaching out to fellow Portuguese insurance professionals, inviting them to join the camaraderie.

***

Stan Griffin, president and CEO of the Insurance Bureau of Canada, and Mark Yakabuski, vice-president, federal affairs & Ontario, IBC, presented a cheque for Cdn$1,000 to Carolyn Horan, co-chair of the Women In Insurance Cancer Crusade (WICC). The money was raised by Operation Red Nose in Newmarket-Aurora during the last Christmas season. Operation Red Nose is a designated-driver service that offers a way for holiday partiers to get themselves and their cars home safely. The service is free but charitable donations are welcomed. Carolyn Horan said: “We thank everyone involved for this donation. One hundred percent of the funds donated
will go directly to cancer research. WICC is now in its 11th year and has raised more than $3 million across Canada. Our dream is that one day the property and casualty industry will be known for its contribution to cancer research. We are particularly excited by the synergy with Operation Red Nose and we’d like to thank the IBC for choosing WICC as the charity for Operation Red Nose.”

***

The Co-Operators have donated a Bullard T4 thermal imaging camera to the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service, with a contribution from Staying Alive Inc. The imaging device is used to identify sources of heat in burning buildings. The hottest objects are tagged with blue spot colour, while the Super Red Hot feature allows firefighters to see heat levels by colour. Digital zoom, 2X and 4X, provides improved visibility in applications including hazardous materials, wildfire and search-and-rescue operations.

***

It was hockey, er, shinny time again for the annual Kova Cup held Mar. 29 at Moss Park Armoury in Toronto. Aviva Canada employees and Giffin Koerth Forensic Engineering staff started the fun tradition. In the 2007 Kova Cup, the White Team (a.k.a. Aviva and friends) handily won the championship in a clean sweep, winning the first game 16-7 and the second game by a 6-1 score.

***

The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) is showing its Olympic spirit by joining a partnership to produce special, one-of-a-kind 2010 Winter Olympic Games licence plates. The six-year partnership between ICBC and VANOC [Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Winter Games] designates ICBC as an official supporter in the “motor vehicle insurance” category of the 2010 Winter Games, including sponsorship rights for the Canadian teams participating at the Beijing 2008, Vancouver 2010 and London 2012 Olympic Games. “ICBC is extremely pleased to support the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and help make these the most successful Winter Games ever,” said ICBC president and CEO Paul Taylor. The B.C. licence plates will feature the 2010 Winter Games emblem, the province’s slogan, “The Best Place on Earth,” and will be valid through 2012. The mountain scene on the 2010 Winter Games plate is that of Mount Garibaldi in Garibaldi Park, 97 km north of Vancouver along Hwy 99 on the road to Whistler. Starting Apr. 16, the licence plates will be available for an initial fee of Cdn$35 through Autoplan insurance brokers across the province. Net proceeds will go towards the staging of the 2010 Winter Games. In addition to the introduction of the licence plates, ICBC will also be the official supplier of motor vehicle insurance for VANOC’s fleet of approximately 4,500 General Motors passenger vehicles.

***

Crawford & Company (Canada) Inc. has announced a major shuffle to its senior management with nine appointments. Steve Anderson has been appointed senior vice president, corporate markets and administration. In this role he will oversee the company’s healthcare management services, risk management services, Claimsalert and auto appraisal services. John McHugh will assume the role of vice president, claims operations-regions, supporting Crawford’s claims services in Atlantic Canada, British Columbia, the Prairies and Quebec. Pat Van Bakel will serve as McHugh’s Ontario counterpart. Greg Smith was named vice president, national programs, and will be charged with (among other responsibilities) redesigning claims intake, file completion and performance measurements. Ken Lloyd has been promoted to assistant vice president, compliance and best practices, addressing such issues as pandemic and disaster planning. He has also been named Crawford’s privacy officer. Brent Hackett has been appointed assistant vice president, catastrophe services and operations, focusing on the continued development of Crawford’s catastrophe team and the support of operational initiatives in the claims services group. Claimsalert’s new assistant vice president is David Nice. Rod McDonald and Reno Daigle were appointed assistant vice presidents of South Western Ontario and North Eastern Ontario, respectively. Rounding out the nine is Jennifer Virley, who has been appointed director, project management.