Topic Brokers
Four Canadian brokerages swept up in latest M&A deals
April 11, 2022 by Jason ContantWestern Canada is the target for the latest rounds of acquisitions from large Canadian P&C brokerages. Intact Financial Corporation subsidiary BrokerLink and Westland Insurance Group announced recent acquisitions in northern and southern Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Westland Insurance Group also…
Digitization works for smaller brokerages, too
April 8, 2022 by Alyssa DiSabatinoAs workplace digitization increases, small brokerages can benefit from automating their processes just as much as big ones, said panellists in a Canadian Underwriter webinar Wednesday. Across the industry, digital technology adoption has accelerated year-over-year. Canadian brokerages with revenues of…
Do clients really want brokers to be risk advisors, too?
April 7, 2022 by Alyssa DiSabatinoAlthough 30% of commercial lines clients say they want to hear more from their broker about emerging threats to their business, there may be dissonance between their words and their actions, say broker experts. Commercial lines consumers in Canadian…
Why these four P&C rating factors may be racially biased
April 5, 2022 by Alyssa DiSabatinoFour commonly used rating factors in personal lines insurance — credit-based insurance scores, geographic location, homeownership, and motor vehicle records — may be affected by racially biased policies and practices, a new research paper finds. Research by the Casualty Actuarial…
How brokers can help clients nip construction defects in the bud
April 5, 2022 by Jason ContantUnderstanding proper storage and handling of materials can help your construction clients avoid a loss later down the road. Being able to identify material damaged by ultraviolet rays or weather is a key component of a construction risk management plan,…
Why auto insurance premiums may be on the rise
April 1, 2022 by Alyssa DiSabatinoInflation hit a multi-decade high of 5.7% this February. Industry observers warn this could go even higher before it goes lower, and the auto insurance industry is not immune to it. How long will it be before drivers feel the…
How Canada’s P&C industry is reacting to the hybrid office
March 31, 2022 by David GambrillSeventy-one per cent of Canada’s P&C industry reports being happy with their new hybrid office arrangements, according to a Canadian Underwriter online poll. Almost 46% reported being ‘very satisfied’ with moving to hybrid work, while a further 26% were satisfied.…
Industry’s return on equity sky-high in 2021
March 30, 2022 by Alyssa DiSabatinoAt 18%, the industry’s return on equity was sky-high for the first three quarters of 2021, but industry observers warn this could be cut in half in two years. While these high profits have reduced solvency risk for most…
How Canada’s P&C industry feels about COVID safety in their offices
March 30, 2022 by David GambrillMore than seven out of 10 Canadian P&C industry professionals feel protected from COVID in their new hybrid office arrangements, according to an online poll conducted this week by Canadian Underwriter. Over 650 P&C professionals answered CU‘s survey, including brokers,…
Fee disclosure: Where national guidance meets provincial regulation
March 29, 2022 by David GambrillIf you are a broker concerned about fair dealing with consumers, must you disclose your premiums that are baked into their premium rates? Or only those fees separate and apart from your commissions? In fine Canadian fashion, the answer depends…
Brokers say stress may cause them to leave industry, survey finds
March 29, 2022 by Philip PoradoBeing an insurance broker has always come with its share of stress but verbatim responses to Canadian Underwriter‘s 2022 National Broker Survey found specific mentions of its impact on work satisfaction. One respondent who indicated they were highly like to…
Brokers and carriers react to MGA self-regulation
March 28, 2022 by Jason ContantProperty and casualty insurance carriers and brokers have embraced the Canadian Association of Managing General Agents’ (CAMGA) self-regulatory regime, the association’s managing director tells Canadian Underwriter. Late last year, CAMGA’s board and membership approved and adopted the undertaking as a…