Features
Broker networks produce mixed bag of results
July 1, 2000 by Canadian UnderwriterTwo of the public broker consolidator networks, Vector Intermediaries Inc. (V:VTE), and Hi-Alta Capital Inc. (TSE:HIA), have produced a mixed bag of financial results for the first quarter of this year. Vector’s revenue for the first quarter remained static at…
B.C. brokers push “value-added” role
July 1, 2000 by Canadian UnderwriterWith increasing technological and market pressures coming to bear on the broker distribution channel, it is more important than ever for brokers to market their expertise and customer-service excellence, says Renate Mueller, new president of the Insurance Brokers Association of…
Integrated Product Distribution: Crossing the lines
June 1, 2000 Vikki SpencerFuelled by mergers, acquisitions, alliances and regulatory change, the idea of one-stop financial services shopping is becoming a reality south of the border. With caution, several insurers and brokers in Canada have broadened their focus to “test the market” on…
Multi-Distribution: Switching channels
June 1, 2000 Vikki SpencerRecent management consultant surveys of the North American property and casualty insurance industry have highlighted distribution as the number-one future concern facing insurer CEOs. The reports all weigh strongly in favor of integrated multi-distribution approaches with the Internet playing central…
RIMS reveals restructuring
June 1, 2000 Sean van Zyl, EditorThe Risk and Insurance Management Society 2000 Conference & Exhibition, which was recently held in San Francisco, drew a record number of more than 12,000 attendees and exhibitors. The event marked the society’s 50th anniversary as the North American body…
Corporate Tax Drive – it’s a home run
June 1, 2000 JANE VOLL, Director of Policy and Research at the Insurance BureEach year, for the last several years, federal and provincial governments have collected $4 billion in taxes from home, car and business insurance — an amount equal to the industry’s entire value-added. This 100% tax burden is more than three…
Following the right track
June 1, 2000 Vikki SpencerAuto manufacturers and property and casualty insurers recently joined forces at the AIM 2000 Conference held in Mississauga to combat cost-pressures and identify means of better serving their customers. Highlighting the agenda were the use of research, design and rating…
Catastrophe loss mitigation: Saving What We Have
June 1, 2000 Sean van Zyl, EditorIncluded in the federal government budget for the current fiscal year was a long-range allocation of several billion dollars to be earmarked for provincial infrastructural development projects. The property and casualty insurance industry’s recently formed Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction…
Coming Events (June 01, 2000)
June 1, 2000 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Export Development Corporation (EDC) has earmarked $1 million over three years for an International Studies Scholarship, to be administered by the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada. Undergraduate students pursuing degrees in business or economics focussing on international…
Hub Group doubles earnings
June 1, 2000 by Canadian UnderwriterListed broker network consolidator, The Hub Group (TSE:HGB), lifted revenue by more than 127% to $36.6 million for the first quarter of the 2000 financial year compared with $16.1 million achieved for the same period the year prior. The revenue…
Liberty Mutual survey shows rise in Internet use
June 1, 2000 by Canadian UnderwriterApproximately 98% of risk managers recently surveyed by the Liberty Mutual Group say they use the Internet in carrying out their duties. The survey is based on the responses of 200 risk managers. Approximately a quarter of the survey respondents…
TAKING THE PLUNGE
June 1, 2000 Vikki SpencerArmed with over 50 years experience in the insurance business, Simon Farrow is ready to lead a new company, Thompson General Insurance, onto the playing field. The market may be competitive, he says, but this “virtual company” is mixing state…