Topic Commercial
How to sell insurance to a solo entrepreneur in under a week
June 14, 2021 by Greg MeckbachA major pain point for gig-economy entrepreneurs is the traditional process of getting commercial coverage, a Vancouver insurtech CEO suggests. “It is tough being a solo entrepreneur, especially now,” said Jeff McCann, CEO Apollo Insurance Solutions Ltd. “These people are…
Canadian MGA association takes centre stage with new board of directors
June 11, 2021 by Greg MeckbachGary Hirst is stepping down as president of the Canadian Association of Managing General Agents (CAMGA). “You might think it is strange that I am pleased to be stepping down,” Hirst, the CEO of CHES Special Risk Inc., announced during…
Auditor scolds Alberta over mine cleanup fund, how province handles polluted sites
June 11, 2021 by Bob Weber - THE CANADIAN PRESSEDMONTON – Alberta’s auditor general is criticizing the government for failing to fix problems pointed out six years ago in a program that’s supposed to guarantee coal and oilsands mines clean up after themselves. Doug Wylie says there’s so much…
M&A growth sets Navacord on course for $3 billion in premium
June 10, 2021 by Jason ContantNavacord Corp. has finalized a record number of brokerage acquisitions in one month, with four deals already closed across the country in June. The latest transactions represent a total of 18 new locations and over 430 employees. More deals are…
MGA simplifies purchase and validation of tenant’s insurance online
June 9, 2021 by Greg MeckbachLandlords often require their tenants to have insurance coverage as a condition of the leases, but it could be quite a paper chase to keep track of thousands of tenants and their insurance status. Vancouver-based insurtech and managing general agent…
How the hard market is changing commercial underwriting
June 9, 2021 by Greg MeckbachThe ongoing hard market means underwriters are asking commercial clients more in-depth questions about their organizations’ risk management practices and culture, suggests the new CEO of the Canadian Universities Reciprocal Insurance Exchange. “We are very much in a hard market,”…
Westland closes two new acquisitions in Canada
June 8, 2021 by Jason ContantWestland Insurance Group Ltd. has closed two new acquisitions in Saskatchewan, both in locations where the large brokerage didn’t have a presence before. The brokerage announced Monday it had closed the acquisitions of HK Insurance in Regina and Smith Agencies…
In pollution claim, ‘sudden’ could mean several months, court finds
June 8, 2021 by Greg MeckbachInsurance coverage for a “sudden and accidental” release of diesel fuel can include a discharge that continued over several months, the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal has ruled in a commercial coverage dispute. As a result of Zurich Insurance Company…
Hub makes back-to-back acquisitions of Canadian brokerages
June 4, 2021 by Jason ContantHub International has made its second brokerage acquisition in two days with the purchase of a family-owned firm in Nova Scotia. Hub announced on Friday that it had acquired Sackville, N.S.-based Salvatore Insurance Brokers Ltd., which provides commercial insurance to…
Insurance CEO’s advice on engaging employees amid pandemic
June 4, 2021 by Greg MeckbachIf your employees are working remotely because of the pandemic, pick up the phone and ask those workers what’s keeping them up at night, suggests the new CEO of the Canadian Universities Reciprocal Insurance Exchange (CURIE). It is important for…
Hub acquires Canadian credit risk brokerage
June 3, 2021 by Jason ContantHub International Limited has announced the acquisition of Global Credit Risk Management Inc. (GCRM), a Canada-wide independent broker of accounts receivable and political risk insurance. With a national presence and offices located in Ontario and Alberta, GCRM provides accounts receivable…
Insurers faced with barrage of COVID-19 coverage disputes
June 3, 2021 by Greg MeckbachMore than a dozen coverage disputes arising from business interruption from lockdowns and restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic are making their way through Ontario courts. Law firm McCarthy Tetrault has served 17 individual statements of claim with the Ontario Superior…