Features
Letters to the Editor (October 01, 2003)
October 1, 2003 by Canadian UnderwriterDear Editor, Attached is a copy of a letter I sent to Rob Sampson MPP… To date there has been no response. When is the industry going to publicly explain their situation and counter all the bad press being given?…
In Memory (October 01, 2003)
October 1, 2003 by Canadian UnderwriterThe industry lost a friend with the passing of Imre Strasser, FCII, on September 9. Born in Vienna, he came to Canada in 1957, continuing his career as an insurance underwriter begun in 1949. He was long-time member and supporter…
B.C. Forest Fires Could Be Second-Worst Catastrophe
September 1, 2003 by Canadian UnderwriterEarly estimates of insured damage from forest fires still raging through B.C. suggest that this disaster could shape up to be Canada’s second-worst catastrophe loss, with the 1998 ice storm remaining well ahead in loss numbers. Media reports have put…
Risk Management: Changing Times
September 1, 2003 by Canadian UnderwriterNo one would disagree that the world of risk management has changed completely over recent years. Risk managers of today have to contend with corporate scandals and property risk exposures that before the 9/11 terrorist attacks were inconceivable. For many risk managers this is also the first real hard insurance market they have encountered during their careers. It is in such times that the role of professional bodies become invaluable to their members. And, as veteran risk managers Glen Frederick and Anne Chalmers prepare for this year’s RIMS Canada conference to be held in Victoria, B.C., they promise that the event will be very much focused on the tools and solutions available to risk managers during such volatile times.
Perils and Fire, Exclusion Door Opens for Insurers
September 1, 2003 Craig HarrisCanada’s highest court recently made it a lot easier for insurers to put fire-following exclusions for severe catastrophic incidents into multi-peril policies. The question now is whether provincial legislators will respond with what many in the insurance industry – particularly the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) – say are much-needed changes to legislation across the country.
Slow Burn
September 1, 2003 Glenn McGillivrayAs this is being read, hundreds of wildfires are burning in the interior of British Columbia, and they could very well make Canadian insurance history.
Partnerships in Risk
September 1, 2003 Garry McDonell, senior vice president at Aon ReedStenhouseThe complexity of today’s business environment is largely a result of both the volume of change and the speed at which it occurs. Driven by shareholder expectations, the scrutiny of regulators and the demands of consumers, corporations are learning that managing risk is significantly different than it was even three years ago.
Punitive Damages and the “Runaway Jury”
September 1, 2003 William Blakeney, Blakeney, Henneberry MurphyRobert Frost once suggested that, “a jury consists of twelve persons chosen to decide who has the better lawyer”. While there is an element of truth to this, insurers have long had faith in juries for their common sense and prudent approach to assessing damages. This perspective, however, was recently put “to the test” when a jury awarded an unprecedented $2.5 million in damages against an insurance company.
Government Auto Insurance in Atlantic Canada: ‘Fool’s Gold?”
September 1, 2003 Dennis ProuseWith the possibility of government run auto insurance systems being touted about by the governments of the Atlantic Canada provinces, for insurers operating in the region as well as the insured public, this current uncertain time is a period of trepidation. A decision driven by politics rather than practicality and the age old wisdom of competition could well result in the region’s drivers and taxpayers paying a hefty price over the long-run.
Shining Light on the “Auto Claims Economy”
September 1, 2003 Vikki SpencerWith auto insurance losses over the past two years having left many insurers in the “dark” in terms of how to deal with the costing of the product, there was a certain irony behind a recently held conference which focused on relationships between the various vendors and manufacturers involved in the auto claims chain – for in the midst of the event, the “blackout of 2003” struck. However, despite the adversity of the power outage, the conference’s participants were upbeat regarding a “new light” of cooperation between the various players toward achieving cost efficiency.
The Talent War
September 1, 2003 Teresa HoweThe fact that there is a dearth of talented new recruits coming into the insurance and risk management fields is hardly hot news. There are more than 200 property and casualty insurance companies, 7,500 brokerages and 1,500 independent adjusting firms employing about 110,000 people, according to the Insurance Institute of Canada (IIC) – not to mention risk management professionals, lawyers, and others associated with the industry. With most insurance education programs boasting 100% placement rates for graduates, the question is why are young people not choosing insurance as a career?
Dispelling the “CRM Myth”
September 1, 2003 Robert AngelSome property & casualty underwriters have questioned client relationship management’s (CRM) validity. Others have suggested that the client relationship process has evolved to “commodity status” and therefore CRM offers little competitive advantage. However, new 2003 market research suggests otherwise – understanding customers remains as relevant as ever.