Topic Commercial
Two brokerages, one MGU involved in recent deals
January 15, 2024 by Jason ContantEditor’s Note: This story has been corrected to clarify that Keyes Insurance was not acquired by the Canadian Broker Network but rather joined its membership. Keyes Insurance remains a fully independent brokerage solely owned by Shaun Keyes. Canadian Underwriter apologizes…
Tremors from Red Sea conflict start to shake Canada, with dozens of ships delayed
January 15, 2024 by The Canadian PressMONTREAL – Canadian shippers are starting to feel the strain of attacks on cargo vessels in the Red Sea, as container rates rise and boats are late to arrive. Port data shows that two-thirds of the 43 ships slated to…
Ten per cent of country’s insured losses in Alberta alone
January 12, 2024 by Alyssa DiSabatinoFor all the smoke, fire and flood that happened across Canada this year, damage to property in Alberta alone exceeded $330 million, according to estimates from Catastrophe Indices and Quantification Inc. (CatIQ). That’s nearly 10% of all insured losses across…
What’s at risk if the national flood insurance program stalls
January 10, 2024 by Alyssa DiSabatinoInsurers will need to be informed about their role in the national flood insurance program by Spring 2024 if it’s to be operational before the next federal election, an Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) executive tells Canadian Underwriter. The…
Why growth is the name of the game for Canadian MGAs
January 9, 2024 by Jason ContantCanada’s property and casualty MGA sector will likely double in the next five years when it comes to commercial insurance market share, an industry executive told Canadian Underwriter in an interview. Currently, about 20% of commercial business is placed with…
How firms are training tomorrow’s talent
January 8, 2024 by Alyssa Di SabatinoIntermediate and senior underwriting positions are opening up across the industry. That has firms looking for ways to cultivate junior underwriters into successive roles. The issue, though, is that learning curves can be steep for new hires. Up-and-coming underwriters are…
What private equity clients can expect in 2024
January 8, 2024 by Alyssa DiSabatinoPrivate equity deal volume is expected to rebound in 2024 after slowing last year, and that means your PE clients can expect to see their insurance rates — particularly for liability and indemnity (D&O and R&W) — decrease or flatten…
Why your clients may be exposed to more climate change claims
January 4, 2024 by David GambrillYour business clients may face increased exposure to climate change liability claims, based on a recent decision by the Federal Court of Appeal (FCA). “With strong language, the Federal Court of Appeal affirmed the ‘existential challenge’ posed by climate change…
Should insurers help customers build back better…or not at all?
January 4, 2024 by Philip PoradoIncreased severity and frequency of NatCats has Canada’s P&C insurance ecosystem seeking ways to add resilience to the claims process. This includes build back better initiatives to encourage adding things like hurricane straps or hail-resistant shingling to roof rebuilds to…
McDougall’s Drayden Insurance acquires Alberta brokerage
January 3, 2024 by Jason ContantAlberta brokerage Drayden Insurance has announced the acquisition of Darson Insurance Services in Stony Plain, Alta. Drayden Insurance is a division of Ontario brokerage McDougall Insurance, which itself is a subsidiary of Definity Financial Corporation. In October 2022, Definity increased…
What Jan. 1 renewals wrought on the industry
January 3, 2024 by Alyssa DiSabatinoJanuary 1 reinsurance renewals are behind us, and it seems a more stable, predictable property Cat market has materialized, just as industry experts predicted. In Canada, reinsurance renewal pricing varied broadly by buyer, based on overall performance, Gallagher Re in…
2024 Executive Outlook |Bernard McNulty, Allianz Commercial
December 26, 2023 by Canadian Underwriter StaffBernard McNulty, Chief Agent, Canada, Allianz Commercial Many challenges our industry faced in 2023 will continue to be headwinds in 2024. These include climate change/natural catastrophes, cybercrime and inflation. The industry’s talent shortage will also continue to be a challenge in 2024.…