Moves & Views (April 01, 2011)

Cunningham Lindsey Canada (CLC) Claims Services Ltd has promoted Maureen Fraser to vice president of business development. Fraser joined CLC in 1996 and has held numerous roles, including accident benefit adjuster, call centre manager and business development representative.  “Maureen has been a longstanding member of our sales team and this promotion reflects her commitment and ongoing success delivering superior customer service to our existing clients, in addition to developing new customer relationships within Canada,” said Albert Poon, CLC’s senior vice president of national business development.

AXA Pacific Insurance Company, a subsidiary of AXA Canada, has released a new Buy Online car insurance solution for Alberta motorists. Billed as a first of its kind, AXA Pacific says its ‘hybrid approach’ offers consumers a choice between a direct online sale and a broker-driven online sale. Consumers entering through www.axa.ca select a broker and then have an option to purchase the product online with no broker assistance or, if necessary, can seek the broker’s advice to finalize the sale. “We understand the growing importance of the Internet distribution channel and believe that our approach offers consumers the best of both worlds,” says AXA Pacific executive vice president Jennie Moushos. “They can get a quote quickly and efficiently, and still benefit from having a true expert to make sure they walk away with the coverage that’s right for them.”

The Co-operators has contributed $100,000 to the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA)’s Japan Disaster Recovery Fund. The fund was established to support the rebuilding of co-operatives in Japan following the Mar.11 earthquake and tsunami. The ICA is an independent, non-governmental organization that unites, represents and serves co-operatives worldwide. “As a co-operative, our organization is guided by the seven universal co-operative principles, one of which is ‘co-operation among co-operatives,'” said Kathy Bardswick, president and CEO of The Co-operators and a member of the ICA board of directors.

AEGIS London, a Lloyd’s syndicate and subsidiary of AEGIS (Associated Electric & Gas Insurance Services Limited), has announced two Canadian-based appointments. Nazir Haji has been appointed senior vice president, business development and Spencer Shusterman is senior vice president of claims. The appointments are part of AEGIS’s plans to support and grow its coverholder business in Canada. Haji joins from Aviva Insurance Company of Canada, where he was senior vice president of the Ontario region. Shusterman most recently served with SCM Risk Management Services Inc., where he developed and led a new claims management practice.

The Centre for the Study of Insurance Operations (CSIO) has appointed David Osmars as chairman of the board. In addition, Keith Eva has been named interim president of CSIO. Osmars is executive vice president and chief information officer of AXA Canada. He has more than 30 years of broad and diversified insurance experience. Keith Eva is retired from RSA Canada, where he held many positions over a 27-year career. For 15 years, Eva was vice president of management services and chief information officer of the Canadian organization. The CSIO board of directors is working with Eva to search for a new president of CSIO.

Pembridge Insurance and Applied Systems Canada are launching a joint venture to offer real-time transactions aimed at improving broker workflows. Pembridge’s Broker Connectivity solution will soon deliver billing and policy inquiry functionality to brokers using Applied Systems TAM (The Agency Manager) and WARP, Applied Systems’ real-time technology. Using this technology, brokers’ workflow will begin and end in the broker management system (BMS), promising an efficient workflow without the use of a portal. Pembridge and Applied Systems also plan to deliver Broker Connectivity Auto New Business Upload soon after.

Ironshore Canda Limited has created a specialty casualty division to underwrite insurance coverages for general liability as well as umbrella and excess liability programs. Stephen Stewart has been named vice president to head the division. The new division will address the insurance needs for various industry classes, including manufacturing, construction, railroads, agriculture, public entities and the energy sector, among others. Stewart most recently served as the commercial underwriting manager for Lombard Canada in Toronto, responsible for overseeing the national broker group. He was instrumental in the development and enhancement of diverse commercial insurance programs.

Report Impaired Drivers (RID), a program encouraging residents to call 911 to report suspected impaired drivers to the police, has been expanded to Prince Albert and Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. RID is a partnership led by SGI, SLGA and the Moose Jaw Police Service, with support from Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and Students Against Drinking and Driving. The program was introduced last March in Saskatoon, before expanding in September to Regina. The program has led to 137 impaired driving charges in Saskatoon and 20 in Regina as of the end of last month.

Andrew Barnard has been appointed president and chief operating officer of Fairfax Insurance Group, effective Apr. 1, 2011. Barnard will oversee all of Fairfax’s insurance and reinsurance operations worldwide and work with the presidents of those operations on strategy and coordination. Barnard is currently president and CEO of OdysseyRe, a reinsurance unit of Fairfax. When Barnard takes on his new role at Fairfax, Brian Young will replace him as president and CEO of OdysseyRe. Barnard will move to the role of vice chairman. Currently, Young serves as OdysseyRe’s chief operating officer.

Allianz Corporate & Specialty Canada (AGCS) is now offering insurance products and services for mid-level business in the Canadian market. AGCS Canada will design insurance solutions for mid-sized companies across a wide range of sectors, including manufacturing/distribution, construction,telecommunications/media and will include companies operating internationally. For mid-sized clients with operations outside Canada, AGCS can design insurance policies in accordance with local insurance regulations in the United States and other countries.

The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia honoured filmmakers between the ages of 9 and 25 years old with its 180 short-film contest. The contest invited youth to make short films about speeding, impaired driving or distracted driving that would cause other young drivers to rethink risky driving habits. More than 110 filmmakers submitted 124 films. Their work resulted in a total of 110,000 views on the contest’s YouTube channel. Three filmmakers in each category won the top prize packages worth $7,800 in filmmaking equipment and software. The following videos took top spot in their respective categories:

• Speeding: Nelson Talbot (Langley, BC), 2 Fast 2 Fatal;
• Impaired Driving: Lauren Holmes (Vancouver, B.C.), Live Fast, Die Young; and Distracted Driving: David McDonald (New Westminster, B.C.), If Lives Are in Your Hands.

Kernaghan Adjusters has opened a new branch in Courtenay/Comox, British Columbia. Brad Murray has joined the branch as appraiser and specialty risks adjuster. Currently he serves as the control adjuster for several logging and forestry programs. Debbie Halstead also joins the team as a senior adjuster. She began her career in 1978, working for major insurance companies. She moved to the independent adjusting side in 1988 and has been a multi-line adjuster ever since.