Topic Commercial Auto
Sales Column: Clients ignoring your emails? Try texting
February 22, 2023 by Adam MitchellPeople love their smartphones. And even those who claim they don’t still spend hours using them every day. A study last year by cybersecurity company NordVPN found 66% of Canadians even use their phones while in the washroom. I’ve always…
No one’s auto insurance was suspended under the Emergencies Act: Inquiry Report
February 21, 2023 by David GambrillPolice chose not to apply federal Emergencies Act measures to suspend the auto insurance policies of any Freedom Convoy protest participants last year, according to the Report of the Public Inquiry into the 2022 Public Order Emergency. “The duty to…
When will self-driving tech consistently prevent crashes?
February 17, 2023 by Harrison Griffiths and Hannah Van StaverenOne aim of autonomous driving technology is to take the human element out of the driving ecosystem with an eye toward preventing collisions. But right now, autonomous driving technology can’t guarantee it will detect and react to road hazards earlier…
Westland acquires brokerages in two provinces
February 15, 2023 by Jason ContantWestland Insurance continues its expansion across Canada with acquisition of Quebec-based Niche Assurance Inc. and Saskatchewan-based Heritage Insurance, effective Feb. 1. The latest acquisitions come a month after industry veteran Doug Morrow joined Westland as its new vice president of…
How telematics may help Alberta truckers’ rates
February 9, 2023 by Philip PoradoWith an eye toward improving driving habits, Facility Association (FA) announced the launch of a telematics program for truck drivers in Alberta, effective May 1, 2023. It said the program’s objective is to help drivers and operators correct poor driving…
Industry vet joins new brokerage
February 7, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoIndustry veteran Paul Martin has been appointed as chief operating officer of Lawrie Insurance Group. Previously, Martin was president and COO of KRG Insurance Brokers for more than 40 years — a position he maintained when KRG merged with RRJ…
Length of car rental for collision claims keeps getting higher
January 31, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoAuto insurers can expect their policyholders’ average length of rental (LOR) for collision-related claims to reach 17.1 days — an increase of 4.3 days from the prior year and 0.6 days from Q3, Enterprise’s 2022 Q4 data shows. “While the…
Is inflation affecting how policyholders drive?
January 30, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoInsurers had predicted consumer driving habits would return to pre-pandemic levels during 2022, or 2023 at the latest, but inflation may be throwing a wrench in those forecasts, said a recent industry survey. Almost half (48%) of Canadians have made…
Alberta UCP announces auto rate freeze
January 26, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoAlberta’s United Conservative Party announced today an auto insurance rate freeze until the end of 2023, and insurer and broker associations alike are calling this decision “disappointing” and “not the best option” for consumers. The government is also requiring insurance…
Southern Ontario digging out after winter storm, snow still falling in eastern parts
January 26, 2023 by The Canadian PressMuch of southern Ontario is cleaning up from a major winter storm, while snow remains in the forecast for parts of eastern Ontario. Ottawa and much of eastern Ontario have been under snowfall warnings, though Environment Canada has now ended…
How the recession will affect personal lines
January 24, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoAn impending recession could mean unaffordability for personal lines policyholders who make up almost half (49%) of the industry’s direct property premiums, an expert at the Insurance Institute of Canada’s Industry Trends & Predictions: 2023 webinar said. Insurers will need to…
Can a new college program draw talent to commercial brokerages?
January 18, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoThe specialized nature of commercial brokering is causing a talent shortage now that veterans are retiring in droves. “I literally get three or four different companies a week that ask for talent, and it’s amplified across the industry,” said John…