Features
Disaster Loss mitigation: Great Balls of Hail
August 1, 1999 Alan Pang, managing director at the Institute for Catastrophic LOver recent years the largest catastrophic loss payments of most insurers have resulted from prairie hailstorms. During the 1990s, there have been six major storms, each causing catastrophic losses in excess of $50 million. The National Hail Conference, recently held…
International trade body turns to financial services COMPETITION
August 1, 1999 Glenn McGillivray, head of corporate communication at Swiss ReinIt is becoming increasingly clear the importance of the financial services sector on the global stage. The recent drive toward globalization of business — coupled with new information technology and the formation of geo-economic and political alliances — have allowed…
Thinking outside the Canvas
August 1, 1999 Lowell ConnThe early 20th century was a revolutionary time for the fine art community, with “modern artists” such as Henri Matisse carrying forward the early exploration attempts of the impressionist painters in testing conventional “realist” theory. In many respects, the modern…
A Rocky Road An Ocean of Opportunity
August 1, 1999 Lowell ConnThere is a patriotic undertone to this year’s Canadian Risk & Insurance Management Society (CRIMS) national conference — “Risk on the Rock” — which will be held in St. John’s Newfoundland this coming September. In addition to hosting one of Canada’s premier national conferences, the province is also celebrating its fiftieth year of Canadian confederacy.
Regulating Internet insurance
August 1, 1999 Brian Reeve, partner at Cassels Brock & BlackwellThe difference between an Internet presence and soliciting business through the Internet can be significant in terms of legal exposure. With the serious growth seen in commercial entities on the web over recent years, the regulators are now beginning to address some of the legal accountability issues of jurisdiction and local laws. However, for the time being, selling insurance over the Internet holds many legal pitfalls.
Communicating, with the “Write Stuff”
August 1, 1999 AxiomThe angular figure of our senior underwriting manager emerged from the elevator facing me, and, as usual, Judy’s face was a mirror of her inner feelings. It was also quite clear that these feelings were not too positive. She grunted…
Factory Mutuals Finalize Merger
August 1, 1999 Steven Zenofsky, public relations consultant at FM GlobalThere’s a new insurance company on the block with a 165-year history, following the recent merger of commercial/industrial property insurers Allendale Insurance, Arkwright, Protection Mutual Insurance and their affiliate Factory Mutual. The new company will market itself as FM Global.…
Insurers offshore BOUND
August 1, 1999 Michael HlinkaSeveral months ago Northern Telecom shook the Canadian business community when it announced plans to relocate to the U.S., mainly due to the high personal income tax structures in Canada which make it difficult if not impossible to compete against…
Brokerage advances
August 1, 1999 by Canadian UnderwriterCalgary-based brokerage network Canada Brokerlink Inc. (TSE: CKK) has disclosed plans to purchase back approximately 5% of its issued normal shares (1,794,233 shares). This step is in response to what the company believes as being a current under-valuation of its…
CRIMS 99 Conference highlights
August 1, 1999 by Canadian UnderwriterMonday, September 20 Plenary session at 8:30am examining Swiss Air Flight 111 which crashed off the coast of Halifax, Nova Scotia. How did the government of Nova Scotia deal with this terrible tragedy and what lessons can be learned? Government…
Coming Events (August 01, 1999)
August 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:…
Zurich launches retail plan
August 1, 1999 by Canadian UnderwriterPeopleplus Insurance Company, a member of Zurich Financial Services Group, recently announced a partnership with Hudson’s Bay Company to launch a private label car and home insurance program. The group scheme, available exclusively to Bay and Zeller’s credit card holders,…