Features
“DO or DIE”, strategy message is to embrace the TECHNOLOGY FUTURE
September 1, 1999 Sean van Zyl, EditorWhether traditional players in the property and casualty insurance industry continue to hold the lion’s share of business will depend on their willingness to embrace consumer-driven technologies and boost productivity, delegates attending the recently held Strategy Institute conference were told. In particular, the pressure of higher consumer expectations coupled with increased competition from new players to insurance will be felt mostly in the personal lines arena, the speakers warn.
Marketing Strides – getting ON TOP
September 1, 1999 Shelley BoyesGiven the breath-taking surroundings, subjects like e-commerce, branding and reducing work-related stress should have been far from the minds of delegates at the 76th Annual Insurance MarketingCommunications Association conference.
CU’s Jan Lowther shares podium with IMCA Showcase Winners
September 1, 1999 by Canadian UnderwriterThis year, in an awards contest that often appears to be dominated by a few large companies with deep pockets, representatives of more than 30 insurance companies took home “Best of Show” and “Awards of Excellence” prizes from the IMCA’s…
that TECHNOLOGY THORN
September 1, 1999 Sean van Zyl, EditorWith the conference and seminar season once again shifting into full drive, the message remains consumerism. Nothing new — the insurance industry has become almost anaesthetized by the repeated urgency to address consumer expectations. However, the latest round of discussions…
CORRECTION (September 01, 1999)
September 1, 1999 by Canadian UnderwriterIn CU’s July edition, a photograph on page 26 of Heidi Hutter, president of Swiss Re America, was incorrectly identified as economist Nuala Beck. CU regrets the error.
Canada absorbs cat, U.S. takes steps
September 1, 1999 by Canadian UnderwriterFoods that hit New Brunswick and Nova Scotia the week of July 26 have formed one of the largest insured losses to hit Atlantic Canada this decade. Close to 900 claims have been submitted to date and insurers predict damages…
The Ball in IBAC’s Court
September 1, 1999 Lowell ConnProperty & casualty insurance brokers are breathing a collective sigh of relief as the federal government’s discussion paper on the future of financial institutions in Canada effectively put a moratorium on the banks’ entry into the retail insurance market. Despite…
Coming Events (September 01, 1999)
September 1, 1999 by Canadian UnderwriterAnnouncements in Coming Events are run free of charge as a service to the industry. Items should be submitted by the first of the month prior to the month in which the announcement is to appear. Canadian Insurance Accountants Association:…
under the SPOTLIGHT
September 1, 1999 William Blakeney, BA (Hons.) LL.B and Khalid Baksh, BA (Hons.) LOver the past decade sexual abuse claims in institutional environments have become one of the most troublesome areas of civil litigation. In particular, insurers underwriting risks involving many of Canada’s most respected not for profit, charitable and religious organizations are now find themselves confronted by catastrophic personal injury claims involving serious allegations from past decades.
the drive for Safer Roads
September 1, 1999 Lowell ConnCanadian automobile insurers wrote a combined $9.3 billion in earned premiums in 1998 while incurring losses of $7.0 billion. This 77.45 loss ratio ranks second only to accident & sickness as the worst loss experience category among all property &…
U.S. Reinsurance Market PRICING STABILIZES
September 1, 1999 Sean Mooney, senior vice president at Guy Carpenter & Company InFollowing a lengthy period of stagnation, pricing within the U.S. reinsurance market seems to have stabilized, with even some evidence in the market of rate increases. However, until the market’s excess capacity is depleted, buyers of reinsurance will continue to enjoy the benefits of highly competitive pricing.
REINSURANCE BROKER VIEWS
September 1, 1999 by Canadian UnderwriterDonald Alexander, senior vice president of Guy Carpenter & Company Ltd. (Canada). My instincts tell me that the reinsurance market is under-priced. Rating models strongly indicate that market prices are below what they should be. This is not surprising, given…