Features
Seeking Shelter
October 1, 2004 Paul Kovacs and Ian CampbellHurricanes in focus
IT Outsourcing: Success or Disaster
October 1, 2004 Tom Reid and Kevin Campbell“Quick wins” by insurance companies in critical information technology (IT) areas can dispel the frustration and fatigue surrounding runaway, failed projects. The scale of the project is just one of many factors separating outsourcing success from disaster.
Managing Customer Relations
October 1, 2004 Rick BaumanInsurance is about relationships – or so we are told. Customer relationship management (CRM) has become a catch-phrase in service-intensive industries like insurance. But, how much effort do brokers really put into the reason they are in business in the first place: the customer?
Going, Going . . .GONE!
October 1, 2004 Serge LaporteNorth Americans live for their vehicles. It is therefore difficult to imagine functioning without our precious cars and sport utility vehicles (SUVs). Our “four wheel culture” has, however, created a growing social problem – auto theft. Can auto theft prevention keep up with the increasing sophistication of car thieves?
Market Stability…?
October 1, 2004 Sean van Zyl, Managing EditorIs there cause to believe that the North American property and casualty insurance marketplace has achieved stability? The latest insurance industry financial numbers from the U.S., produced by rating agency A.M. Best, suggests that insurers down south have “pulled the…
Latest Hurricane Salvo Tests Historical Loss Records
October 1, 2004 by Canadian UnderwriterHurricane Jeanne, which slammed into Florida’s east-coast the last weekend of September, made unfortunate history, capping off the first season in which Florida was hit by four major hurricanes. The combined losses from Hurricane Charley in mid-August, and then Hurricanes…
Canadian Auto Results Show Improvement
October 1, 2004 by Canadian UnderwriterAlthough it remains an unprofitable business, auto insurance results did improve in 2003, according to a soon-to-be-released report from A.M. Best. In its statistical review of auto insurance, the rating agency finds premiums rose and losses declined in 2003, particularly…
U.S. Reinsurer Income Drops for First Half 2004
October 1, 2004 by Canadian UnderwriterU.S. reinsurers saw net income for the first six months of this year drop slightly to US$2.56 billion compared with the US$2.59 billion reported for the same period the year prior, according to financial data compiled by the Reinsurance Association…
Reinsurance Rating Environment Improving
October 1, 2004 by Canadian UnderwriterRating agency Moody’s says it has revised its outlook on the global reinsurance market to “stable” from “negative” on the back of favorable underwriting and investment results emerging from the sector. While rating agencies have mostly issued rating downgrades for…
U.S. Insurers’ Reserve Deficiency Hits US$67 Billion
October 1, 2004 by Canadian UnderwriterDespite moves by several companies to bolster reserves over the past three years, the property and casualty insurance industry remains under-reserved to the tune of US$67 billion, according to rating agency A.M. Best. In a special report, the rater says…
Insurers See Rising Professional Liability Exposure
October 1, 2004 by Canadian UnderwriterRate softening has begun to creep into the professional liability market, despite continued claims costs pressures, speakers at the recently held “Errors & Omissions” seminar hosted by the Toronto Insurance Conference (TIC) say. The seminar focused on E&O coverage, but…
Anthony Clark Expands U.S. Network
October 1, 2004 by Canadian UnderwriterCalgary-based Anthony Clark International Insurance Brokers (TSX: ACL) has added its third U.S. brokerage to its network, and its first on the east coast. Anthony Clark’s U.S.-based Addison York Insurance Brokers Ltd. has purchased the fixed assets and customer accounts…