Canadian Underwriter

Topic Brokers

Diverse group of businesspeople sitting together and having a meeting in the brokerage.
News BrokersInsurersManagementOperations

Got retention problems? P&C firms with diverse leadership don’t

March 28, 2024 by Alyssa DiSabatino

If your brokerage is looking to solve its labour retention problems, consider this: The more diverse a P&C brokerage’s leadership team is, the less likely staff are to consider leaving their jobs. So finds a Canadian Underwriter survey, asking P&C

3D render of a red arrow hitting an illuminated target surrounded by several darkened targets
News BrokersCommercialInsurersManagementMergers and AqcuisitionsNewfoundland & LabradorNova ScotiaOntarioOperationsP.E.I.Personal AutoPersonal HomeQuebec

Desjardins president on why the direct writer expanded into the broker channel

March 28, 2024 by Alyssa DiSabatino

Desjardins’ acquisition of The Insurance Company of Prince Edward Island (ICPEI) will enable the direct writer to diversify its distribution model and expand its national reach, Desjardins president and chief operating officer Valerie Lavoie tells Canadian Underwriter.   The acquisition is

Driving on a beautiful spring day.
News AdjustersAlbertaB.C.BrokersClaimsLicensingPersonal Auto

Regulators suspend broker over fraudulent auto claim

March 28, 2024 by David Gambrill

A former Alberta broker who was suspended for a year last July for submitting a fraudulent auto insurance claim has had her B.C. licence suspended for a year, starting March 2024. B.C.’s insurance council said it was revoking her licence

Selecting and electronic document (eDoc)
News BrokersOperationsTechnology

Tackling brokers’ Number 1 workflow pain point — eDocs

March 27, 2024 by David Gambrill

Imagine a brokerage having to hire someone just to open electronic documents (eDocs) from insurance companies to find out what they’re about. And yet, that’s exactly what happens when insurance companies send eDocs to brokerages with catch-all titles such as

Partnership of business concept. Group of businessperson. Customer support. Teamwork.
News BrokersInsurersMergers and Aqcuisitions

Desjardins expands into broker channel through M&A deal

March 27, 2024 by David Gambrill

Direct writer Desjardins is acquiring the Insurance Company of Prince Edward Island (ICPEI), an insurer that distributes solely through the broker channel. “With this acquisition, we’re strengthening Desjardins’ position in the Canadian commercial insurance market,” Guy Cormier, Desjardin’s president and

Top view of six cyber employees using laptops at a company
News BrokersClaimsCommercialCyberEmerging RisksInsurersOperations

How to keep cyber criminals from capitalizing on company culture

March 26, 2024 by Alyssa DiSabatino

Humans continue to be the weakest links when it comes to corporate cyber security, but companies looking to reduce phishing or ransomware attempts must first address their company culture, one expert tells Canadian Underwriter.   Over the past two to

Businessman holding and giving insurance and assurance icon including family health real estate car and financial for risk management concept.
News AlbertaB.C.BrokersInsurersOntarioPersonal AutoPersonal HomeTechnology

Onlia acquired by PE firm focused on Canadian P&C distribution

March 26, 2024 by David Gambrill

Southampton Financial Inc., a private equity firm focused on the Canadian property and casualty insurance distribution space, has agreed to acquire Onlia Insurance from Achmea and Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. Headquartered in Toronto, Onlia is a digital insurance agency that

Tractor bringing in the hay
News BrokersCommercialMGAsProperty

Can farm insurance coverage be delivered online?

March 25, 2024 by Alyssa Di Sabatino

The words ‘technology’ and ‘farm insurance’ aren’t always mentioned in the same breath. Historically, farm insurance providers do most of their business through offer and acceptance — sending either online or paper applications to clients. Underwriters and brokers then use

A heavy snowfall sweeps through the province of British Columbia
News AdjustersAlbertaB.C.BrokersCatastrophesClaimsClaims ProfessionalsEmerging RisksEnvironmentalInsurersLoss TrendsOntarioPersonal AutoPersonal Home

How Canada’s winter weather predicts 2024 Cat claims

March 21, 2024 by Alyssa DiSabatino

This winter clocked in as Canada’s warmest winter ever, and adjusters are already sounding the alarm that a winter with no or little snow could mean more wildfire claims over the rest of the year. Snowpack in winter is one

Deanna Brewer, senior vice president, account manager, NFP in Canada
News AlbertaBrokersConstruction

NFP names industry vet to its Canadian surety group

March 21, 2024 by David Gambrill

Deanna Brewer is NFP’s new senior vice president and account manager for surety in Canada. A P&C insurance industry vet with more than 25 years of experience in the surety business, Brewer was appointed for her technical knowledge and strategic

Contemporary art collage. Businessman standing under heavy pressure. Working conditions. Concept of struggle, failure, success, competition, motivation, concentration, crisis, fear Copy space for ad
News BrokersHROperations

Who’s getting squeezed in the brokers’ war for talent

March 19, 2024 by David Gambrill

A war for talent in Canada’s P&C insurance industry may be inadvertently causing collateral damage in smaller and mid-sized brokers, Traci Boland, Insurance Broker Association of Canada president, tells Canadian Underwriter. That said, their smaller size may allow them to

Frustrated man screaming on someone through a call over smart phone at home.
News BrokersHROperations

Op-Ed | How to protect your team from abusive client behaviours

March 19, 2024 by Adam Mitchell, CEO of Mitch Insurance

I’m often asked about how we grew our business. There’s no hack to achieving success. If washboard abs are your goal, one sit-up won’t do it. You need to consistently put in the effort to see results.We’re all aware of