Topic Commercial
Metaverse risks: 4 areas for commercial clients to explore
January 25, 2023 by Jason ContantPrivacy is one of the four major risks associated with the metaverse — the expanding virtual universe of network connections — an industry expert told Canadian Underwriter recently. When developing a metaverse strategy, your commercial clients should look at operational,…
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…
Why P&C industry profitability is trending toward positive
January 23, 2023 by Jason ContantCanada’s property and casualty insurers should see increased overall profitability and premium rate increases as the industry’s 2023 outlook trends to positive, ratings firm DBRS Morningstar said in a new report. “The credit rating trend for the majority of DBRS…
Claims denials on their way down, regulator reports
January 23, 2023 by David GambrillClaims denial ratios for the stressed business lines of aircraft, liability and marine — which spiked during the pandemic in 2020 — are starting to return to their pre-pandemic levels, according to the Canadian Council of Insurance Regulators (CCIR). “For…
Police continue to probe fatal blast at Quebec propane company
January 18, 2023 by Morgan Lowrie - THE CANADIAN PRESSMONTREAL – The investigation into the causes of a fatal blast at a propane company north of Montreal could be long and complex, police said Tuesday after three bodies were found at the site. Officials are dealing with a “vast”…
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…
Despite inflation slowing in December, Bank of Canada still expected to hike rates
January 17, 2023 by Nojoud Al Mallees - THE CANADIAN PRESSOTTAWA – Canada’s annual inflation rate slowed last month but economists are still expecting the Bank of Canada to hike its key interest rate next week. In its latest consumer price index released Tuesday, Statistics Canada said the country’s annual…
What are Canada’s major business risks for 2023?
January 17, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoCyber incidents are the new top business concern for Canadian companies in 2023, according to the Allianz Risk Barometer 2023. The top three risks in Canada are cyber incidents (35%), the skilled workforce shortage (33%) and climate change (29%),…
How much cargo theft rose in 2022
January 16, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoCargo theft across Canada and the U.S. rose by 15% in 2022 from the previous year, equal to 1778 recorded theft incidents, a cargo theft recording firm reports. And cargo insurers should be aware of an emerging threat: fictitious cargo…
What’s driving reinsurer underwriting margins in 2023?
January 16, 2023 by Philip PoradoUnderwriting margins for reinsurers will likely grow by an average four percentage points during 2023, said a new report from Fitch Ratings. Key factors for the increases are significant price rises, tighter terms and conditions, as well as the withdrawal…
Industry veteran joins Westland following acquisition
January 13, 2023 by Jason ContantIndustry veteran Doug Morrow has joined Westland Insurance as its new vice president of commercial insurance for Alberta, the brokerage announced earlier this week. Most recently president and CEO of Excel Insurance Group, Morrow joined Westland as vice president, commercial…
How an Alberta election may impact decisions on captive insurance
January 12, 2023 by Philip PoradoCompanies looking at the benefits of setting up an Alberta captive insurance company appear to be taking a ‘wait-and-see approach’ with respect to tax treatment. At the moment, the province’s tax authorities have indicated captives will be treated the same…